Ask Baillie and Larissa Loucks what they love best about Synchronized Swimming and you’ll pretty much get the same answer: ‘what makes swimming fun is that you’re part of a team.’ Despite the early morning swims, the long commutes from Sarnia, and the cold water, Larissa and Baillie love swimming with their new club, London Synchro.
At the ripe age of 8, Baillie dove straight into competitive Synchronized swimming with St. John’s Sea Stars in Newfoundland. Her love of dance and swimming was a perfect fit for her, says her mom, Corrine. And, after only her first year in competitive, Baillie made Newfoundland’s Provincial team, placing in the top 15 for girls under 10. It wasn’t long before the family relocated to Ontario and looked for a club that would continue to help the girls grow and improve in the sport.
In 2013, Billie’s sister Larissa (at only age 7) decided she too would join synchro, and the girls began swimming competitively with Variety Village in the Toronto area. Larissa’s strong swimming and gymnastics background helped her to achieve multiple 1st place finishes in the 8 and under figures category throughout Ontario. She also took home the coveted first place trophy for girls 8U figures at the Ontario Trilliums meet held in Nepean that year. Not to be outdone, her 8U team also picked up first place finishes as well.
It’s no wonder these girls continued to excel in the sport and garnered top 10 placements in the 2013-2014 season. With another family relocation to the Sarnia area in 2014, they now endure 3-4 weekly commutes to London for team, duet and solo practices. London is the only Provincial Club in Southwestern Ontario near to Sarnia. Busy mom Corrine juggles the family restaurant, school and synchro all from outside of London.
But the hectic schedules aside, Corrine and her husband, Doug, feel that the benefits of synchro give the girls personal joy and keep them fit, happy and focused. Homework is sometimes done on route to London, but the girls don’t complain. This dedicated synchro family wouldn’t have it any other way. As a mom, Corrine feels that the sport is so reliant on its team members and coaches for success that the girls form exceptionally close relationships with one another throughout the year.
“Even as parents, we have experienced strong synchro teammate/family bonding in our experience to date, and most notably with the London Synchro Club,” said Corrine.
With the start of the 2015-2016 season and training in full swing, the girls, now 11 and 9, have set new goals for themselves this year. Placing in the top 10 in her age category is on Larissa’s mind, and Baillie is focused on continuing to improve and do well in all of her categories from figures to team and solo. There is little doubt that these girls have what it takes to meet their new goals!
Interested in Synchro? Novice programs begin in October. Please see our website for program details.
Story and photo submitted by London Synchronized Swimming Club
