Synchronized swimmers ranging in age from 21 to 86 are set to compete for national titles at the U.S. Masters Synchronized Swimming Championships this week in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Hosted annually by USA Synchro, the Masters Championships draws participants 20 years and older from across the United States and Canada. The 2015 Masters, to run from Oct. 22-25, is expected to attract 267 participants from 29 teams and hundreds of spectators, generating an economic impact of more than $300,000.
"We expect to have a very exciting competition with talented swimmers from all ages," USA Synchro CEO Kevin Warner said. "We anticipate our host in Grand Rapids to organize a fantastic U.S. Masters Championships for USA Synchro and our athletes."
The 2015 event features male and female swimmers over seven age divisions (20-29s to 80-89s) competing for national titles in solo, duet, trio, team, free combination and figure categories at the Jenison High School Aquatics Center. Each swimmer can compete in up to four events plus figures.
"This will be a fascinating event to watch, especially if you've only seen synchronized swimming in the Olympics," said Mike Guswiler, president of the West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC) who is co-hosting the event with USA Synchro. "Not only is it an extremely difficult sport requiring a combination of body strength and agility, precision timing, stamina and artistry, but it unifies a cross-section of talented athletes from 20 to 90 years old."
Visitor Information: The USA Synchro event is located at the Jenison High School Aquatics Center at 2140 Bauer Rd. in Jenison. Free parking is available on site in the school parking lot. Spectator tickets can be purchased at the pool entrance or online in advance at events.clearthunder.com/SYNCHRO. Competitions begin at 8:30 a.m. daily Oct. 22-25, with the last competition of the day at 3 p.m. except Sunday, which ends earlier.
Tickets for Thursday, Friday or Sunday are $4 per day, Saturday is $7, and the entire championship is $15. Children 10 and younger are free, as are USA Synchro Life Members.
Volunteering for Event: Volunteers are needed daily from Thursday, Oct. 22 through Sunday, Oct. 25 to help with all aspects of the event, including scoring, security, hospitality, music, announcing and timing. For volunteer information and to register for a shift, visit volunteerspot.com/login/entry/588121702032.
About the West Michigan Sports Commission: The West Michigan Sports Commission, a non-profit 501 (c) (3), works to identify, secure and host a diverse level of youth and amateur sporting events to make a positive impact on the economy and quality of life in the region. Since its inception in 2007, the WMSC has booked 400 sporting events and tournaments that attracted 560,000 athletes and visitors, generating $145 million in direct visitor spending. For more information, visit westmisports.com and Facebook.com/WestMichiganSportsCommission and follow @WestMiSports.
About USA Synchro: USA Synchro was established as a nonprofit organization in 1977, and is the United States national governing body for the sport, recognized by the International Olympic Committee, the United States Olympic Committee and FINA (Federation Internationale de Natation Amateur) - the international governing federation. USA Synchro organizes, participates in, and promotes a variety of competitive events each year. These events begin at the local level and continue in the following categories: Senior (15 & O), Junior (15-18), Junior Olympic (19 & U), Collegiate and Masters (20+).
For more information on USA Synchro, visit http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Synchronized-Swimming.aspx, facebook.com/usasynchro and @usasynchro
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