The New Canaan YMCA Aquianas Artistic Swim Team, formerly the Synchronized Swim Team, was founded on the belief that artistic swimming can be an expressive and creative outlet for young athletes within an athletic and competitive environment. The nationally ranked YMCA Aquianas are comprised of Intermediate to Elite-Level swimmers. The goal for all team members is to have each one reach their potential while having fun! The nationally certified coaching staff strives to develop positive values and foster teamwork among athletes of every level. The Aquianas focus on developing winners both in and out of the water. Athletes compete in solo, duet, trio, and team events, as well as compulsory figures, based on the recommendations of coaches. Competition on the local, regional, zone, national, and international levels is offered to those who qualify.

Team Highlights

• 13-15 U.S. National Team Members, Viola Li & Sophia Shen
• 13-15 U.S. Nationals Solo, Silver Medal
• 13-15 U.S. Nationals Duet, Bronze Medal
• 13-15 U.S. Nationals Team, Bronze Medal
• 13-15 U.S. Nationals Combo, Bronze Medal
• 13-15 U.S. Junior Olympics Combo, Bronze Medal
• Junior/Senior & 13-15 East Zone High Point Winners

Non-Competitive Artistic Swimming Programs

Fish (Ages 5-10) No Experience Necessary!
The Aquianas Fish program is for children ages 5-10 who would like the experience of being on an artistic swimming team without the requirement of competition. This program teaches artistic swimming skills, an introduction to flexibility training, and enjoy new ways to move in the water with friends. Both beginners and individuals with some artistic swimming experience will enjoy this program. Mid-session registrations are accepted space permitting, with coach permission. Seasons: Fall, Winter, & Spring

Artistic Swimming Camp (Boys & Girls Ages 6-12) No Experience Necessary!
Formerly Synchronized Swimming Camp, artistic swimming is the perfect combination of dance, gymnastics, music, and water! If your child enjoys any of those activities, they will love artistic swimming. The two-week sessions will introduce your child to the sport while enhancing their flexibility, endurance, and overall comfort in the water. Basic artistic swimming skills are taught along with a routine that is choreographed to music that is heard under the water as well as above. Season: Summer.

12-Week Trial of the Intermediate Team (Ages 12 & Under, 13 & Over)
In the fall, a 12-week trial of the intermediate team is available to swimmers who would like to try the program before committing to a full year. Participants attend all intermediate team practices. At the end of the 12-week trial, they may elect to join the intermediate team for a pro-rated fee.

Aquianas Competitive Teams: Intermediate

Ages 12 & Under, 13 & Over
The Intermediate team is the perfect introduction to competitive artistic swimming. The swimmers spend the fall learning basic skills and the winter combining those skills into two routines. In the spring they attend four competitions, increasing confidence and teamwork and having fun are the major goals of this program. Open to members. Season: Fall-Spring.

The 12 & Under intermediate team practices three times per week on the following days:

• Tuesdays: 4:00-6:30 PM
• Thursdays: 4:00-6:30 PM
• Saturdays: 11:00 AM-1:30 PM

The 13 & Over intermediate team practices three times per week on the following days:

• Mondays: 5:00-7:30 PM
• Wednesdays: 5:00-7:30 PM
• Saturdays: 1:00-3:30 pm

Aquianas Competitive Teams: Age Group (Invitation Only)

Ages 12 & Under
The 12 & Under team competes locally and regionally and introduces swimmers to national level competition. Goal setting is introduced and the girls train hard to attain both their individual goals and the team goal of attending a national meet. A strong emphasis is placed on developing both the synchro skills and confidence needed to compete nationally.

Ages 13 & Over
The 13 & Over team competes in multiple national meets each year. Opportunities to compete internationally are also offered, and swimmers on this team have been named to the United States 13-15 and Junior National Teams. Like all Aquianas programs, the 13 & Over team strives to develop confident, team-oriented athletes with strong artistic swimming skills. Graduates of this program often continue their artistic swimming careers in college. Recent alumni have swam for Stanford University, Ohio State University, College of William and Mary, Wheaton College, University of Florida and more.

Registration Information:

Registration will open to new program participants in August on a first come, first served basis. Your child’s age is the age they will be on December 31st 2022. Most of our new swimmers begin in the fish program or artistic swimming camp, but some are placed directly on the intermediate team, coach approval required. Individuals with previous artistic swimming experience (e.g. at a summer club) or an extensive background in competitive swimming, dance, gymnastics or diving are most likely to begin our program on the intermediate team. Individuals who are 11 and older are also likely to begin on our intermediate team, as their increased maturity allows them to learn new skills faster than younger beginners. If your child is considering joining the New Canaan YMCA Aquianas and would like to be considered for the intermediate team, please contact Jen Muzyk by email to schedule an evaluation.

Past participants in the New Canaan YMCA artistic swimming program (classes, camps, fish and intermediate team) will receive registration packets via email in early August. Please contact Jen Muzyk by email if you are a past program participant who has not received a registration packet.

For additional information about the Aquianas Artistic Swimming program, please contact Jen Muzyk by email.

Aquianas Coaches

	Jennifer Muzyk Director of Synchronized Swimming / Head Coach Phone: 203-920-1648 Email:  jmuzyk@newcanaanymca.org Jen was a synchronized swimmer at the New Canaan YMCA throughout high school before earning three All-American awards at Canisius College. After college graduation in 2000, she started coaching first part-time, then as the Assistant Director and now as the Director and head coach of the Aquianas. Since joining the coaching staff, Jen has earned the National Coaching Merit Award in 2004, the East Zone Coach of the Year in 2010, was added to the National Team coaches pool in 2011, coached the 2012 13-15 National Team, became a national level judge, and skills assessor.
	Laura Mase Part-Time Assistant Coach Laura has been involved in synchronized swimming since 1993. As a swimmer, Laura swam for the New Canaan Aquianas from 1993-2001, then for the University of Richmond from 2001-2005. From 2005-2007, Laura worked as the Education Director for United States Synchronized Swimming. She attended graduate school at New York University for Speech and Language Pathology from 2008-2011. Laura has been back with the Aquianas as an assistant coach since 2008 and was named 12&under National Team Coach in 2020.