Sync or Swim

Sara Lowe and Carrie Garten may not be household names, but in the world of synchronized swimming they are. Especially in the U.S.

After returning from the XXVIII Olympiad in Athens, Greece, with a bronze medal, Sara acknowledged on national television that she began her synchronized training at the North Lake Aquatic Center.

Carrie journeyed down under in 2000 for Australia’s XXVII games, finishing fifth. Both women competed in team events.

These best friends not only share the Olympic experience, but the same coach in their beginning years. Carrie‘s mother, Patti Barton, not only supported her daughter, as well as Sara, but she taught them everything they know.

Patti has been the synchronized swimming coach at North Lake College since 1985, when the Aquatic Center opened. “The first day the pool was open, we had five 12-year-olds put on a show.”

That was her first coaching job after being involved with the sport growing up. Twenty years later she is still developing national champions and world-class Olympians, right in our own backyard.

“I took over the class in order to keep the sport going in the area,” said Patti. “I really appreciate the support North Lake College has provided over the years.”

Since 1985, the North Lake Natatorium has been the training ground for many girls, including three Olympians and two Collegiate All-Americans.

Sara and Carrie both now reside in Santa Clara, Calif., where some of the best athletes in the sport live and train in preparation for competition. The Santa Clara Aquamaids are the best synchronized swimming team in the U.S. -- having won 11 straight national championships.

“The training is intense. We train from 10 to 12 hours a day, seven days a week,” Carrie said. “You don’t have much time for anything else.”

Sara agreed. “Training involves endurance conditioning, gymnastics, ballet, speed swimming and strength training,” she said. Think it’s an easy sport, do you? Some positions are held for a full minute under water. Did you realize that you can’t touch the bottom of the pool?

“We perform to a theme, and act out through the entire routine,” said Carrie. “You can’t breathe and your legs are burning; it’s not easy. The training is grueling.”

The judges who score the event have guidelines to follow, but it is subjective. The teams are judged on technical merit and artistic impression. The women must stick to a strict routine, which is coordinated to a 4-1/2 minute musical theme.

The synchronized swimming idea began back in 1907 in New York City when the first underwater ballerina performed in a glass tank. By the 1940s, it had made its way into national competition in the states.

For decades, synchronized swimming teams only had the opportunity to perform around the world at the Pan American games, showing off their majestic routines to people around the world. At the XXIII games in Los Angeles, synchronized swimming finally got its break. It began as a solo and duet event only, and evolved into a team event.

“The team aspect of it is essential. It is our best asset. Everyone on the team gets along so well, especially in the water,” said Sara.

Carrie is a little unsure if she will end up coaching the sport in the future, but she can stand proud knowing she is an Olympic athlete.

“I accomplished more than I thought in my wildest dreams,” Carrie said. “It takes so much out of you that most girls retire after participating in the Olympics.”

As for Sara, she is still unsure if she will return to the Olympics in 2008. She will concentrate on her studies at Stanford University in Santa Clara.

For anyone interested in synchronized swimming, Sara suggests checking the newspaper and watching the news for teams in your area.

“Try it out,” she said. “I would never give up the experiences I’ve shared.”