As a six-year member of the Pisces Summer Swim Club, 12-year-old Kyra Arrowsmith is no stranger to the pool.
But the 100-metre backstroke specialist, who just completed her first year as a member of the Prince George Water Lilies synchronized swim club, received some expert advice of a different kind at the Aquatic Centre on the weekend.
But it wasn't from just from anyone. It was from Team B.C.'s Synchronized Swim team that was in Prince George for three days preparing for the 2015 Canada Winter Games.
The advice?
"When you're under water, take a big breath and only let a few bubbles out at a time and stay straight under the water," said Arrowsmith, who's going into Grade 7 at Harwin elementary. "They taught us a bunch of stuff and we did a routine with them and they showed us their routines for the Canada Winter Games. They were really friendly and helpful and I'll be watching them in February."
Team B.C. arrived in Prince George last week and used the time to become familiar with the surroundings at the Aquatic Centre, work on their solo, duet and team routines as well as provide some mentorship to the Water Lilies. They also joined forces Friday night to perform in a water show.
And the Water Lilies soaked it all in.
"This weekend was amazing for those who came," said Water Lilies coach Lynn Barager. "B.C. were role models for them [the Water Lilies]. They got to spend a day with them and they were awestruck. They made the Team B.C. girls feel like they were famous."
The Water Lilies were established a year ago by Barager and her daughter Nicole, 21, who serves as the club's president. It features girls between the ages of six (the youngest) to 13 (the oldest).
With the help of four coaches, some members of the Water Lilies weren't even familiar with synchro swimming or even comfortable in the water.
"It's been quite the learning curve," said Lynn, who first got involved in the sport when it was part Barracudas Swim Club. "Their progression has improved by leaps and bounds. Their endurance and flexibility has increased.
"It's been an amazing year though and we've had great support from Synchro B.C. and we've held judging and instructor courses."
They performed their own routines at the end of the season in June.
The club didn't compete in any meets last season, instead focusing on the fundamentals of the sport - flexibility, swimming lengths and their strength - progressing from the shallow pool to the deep diving tank at the Aquatic Centre.
Watching and swimming with Team B.C reinforced those fundamentals.
"Having the girls watch them, where they have to swim lengths and see elite athletes do the same building blocks they have to do did that," said Lynn. "During the water show, they were so proud of themselves, they had big smiles on their faces, it gave them a confidence boost."
The Water Lilies became fast friends with Team B.C., had their pictures taken with the team members and are now pen pals.
But Team B.C. wasn't the first team to offer advice to the Water Lilies. Team Saskatchewan spent a week training in early July at the Aquatic Centre and also worked with the Water Lilies.
The 2014-15 season starts Thursday, Sept. 11 at 6 p.m.
"We would love to have anybody who wants to come in and give synchro a try," said Lynn, who taught Nicole the sport informally on Purden Lake east of Prince George and St. Mary Lake in the Kootenay region.
Arrowsmith knows she'll be back for another synchro season. She's made a lot of new friends and learned skills that will complement her as a competitive swimmer.
"It helps with flexibility and I can hold by breath under water longer, between 30 to 40 seconds now," she said. "I just want to keep doing it because it's fun. I like the coaches and we're not just teammates, but we're friends and we do a lot of fun stuff."
2015 Games Prep
Team B.C. participated in a test event for the 2015 Canada Winter Games on Saturday afternoon.
Lynn Barager, the sport lead for synchronized swimming, said enough volunteers who will be minor officials, 35 in all, have been trained to do timing, running, scorekeeping, marshalling and refereeing.
Team B.C. did run-throughs of their figures and team event to provide that training for the minor officials.
The synchronized swimming event is slated for Feb. 24 to 28.
