Try this. Put on a song. Count to it. 1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.

Keep counting to the beat.

Now take a breath and dive into the pool.

Keep counting.

Go upside down and move your arms in front of you, back and forward, back and forward. Keep going.

Now stay upside down in the water and put your legs above you. Don't use the bottom!

Get your knees out of the water. Keep holding your breath and counting. Kick your legs above you while holding your breath, counting, and moving your arms. Good.

Now slowly rise to the surface and take your first breath. That is what I do almost every day.

I am a Synchronized Swimmer.

Many people do not think Synchronized Swimming is a sport, but if they would only get into the pool once with us at a practice it would change their minds completely.

In a four and a half minute routine we combine power, strength, skill, agility, grace, split second timing, and musical interpretation. We are expected to make it look effortless for the judges and the crowd. A job harder than it looks, trust me.

The routines we perform take every ounce of energy we have and yet we swim it sometimes twice every practice just to make sure it is perfect. When we are not swimming to the music we are tapping through parts. Tapping is where our coach sits on the side of the pool and hits the edge of the pool with a metal stick.

We can hear the sound under water and every tap represents a count. We practice parts of our routines in this way. We perfect our routines until all eight of us are perfectly in sync with one another.

Synchronized Swimming has benefited me in many ways. The first and most obvious is the physical benefit.

I have severe asthma and this sport has helped with my breathing and developing my lung capacity. It has also helped me with organization and setting priorities. I have been swimming for the past seven years. Our season lasts eleven months each year. The only month we get off is August.

Because of the time dedication this sport requires I have had to prioritize commitments and learn time management. In addition to the time spent at practice, my family and I have to work bingo usually once a month year around. This helps pay for my travel expenses, pool time and coaching fees.

This is my last season as I am graduating from Dakota Ridge. I have one meet left in Seattle in June. While, I am looking forward to the break, I have loved this sport and the incredible people who have become part of my family.

Whenever I have to say something about myself, I always say "I am a synchronized swimmer." I am not sure how I am going to answer that question after June.

I will always keep this sport in my heart and somehow stay a part of it.

So, thanks to all my teammates, Coach Shari, Coach Sheila and all the other coaches. Thanks to Mom and Dad for all the sequins you sewed on the swimsuits and head pieces and working all those nights at the bingo hall.

Thank you synchronized swimming for making me the person that I am today.

Brittany Peters
Senior 2006
Dakota Ridge High School