The Estevan Mermaids Artistic Swimming Club held its annual water show on Sunday evening, drawing one of the largest crowds in the event's history. Head coach Amber Mantei expressed excitement over the positive turnout, with many parents and community members showing their support for the young athletes.
"Everyone really enjoyed themselves, and I got so many compliments," Mantei said. "The athletes were thrilled to have such a large crowd watching them perform their routines, and it was well deserved because they worked hard all season long."
One of the key highlights of the show was the grand finale, which allowed the older athletes to showcase their creative acrobatic routines. This finale offered athletes a chance to demonstrate their skills in a more relaxed setting, as opposed to the structured competitions.
"Even though we only had half an hour to practice the grand finale, the athletes did a fantastic job," Mantei said. "The audience was ecstatic, and it was clear that the athletes fed off that energy."
The event also marked the end of the season for the younger athletes, including the club's mini mermaids and recreational swimmers. For athletes competing at the provincial level, however, the season continues with the upcoming Provincials this weekend, which is the biggest competition of the year for many.
“It makes it all worthwhile. All the work they did all season long, and it's like a highlight for their family members to see this, especially those who can’t attend their competitions,” Mantei said.
"I'm just really proud of all the athletes. For most of the recreational swimmers, this was probably their first time performing in front of a crowd. They did it, and they had big smiles on their faces. It was just amazing to see them perform in front of friends and family."
After Provincials, the competitive athletes will prepare for the Canadian Artistic Swimming Championships in May in Winnipeg. Mantei shared that only the youth team and two junior soloists plan to attend the championship, where teams from across Western Canada will gather to compete.
The Estevan Mermaids Artistic Swimming Club has been able to offer a broad range of coaching and support thanks to a dedicated team of coaches. For the mini mermaids, coaches Shannon Culy, Sierra Mantei, Kara Groshong, and Alyssa Halkyard provided hands-on guidance. The recreational swimmers were supported by coaches Stacy Harasymuk and Tara Johns, with Tara also assisting with limited competitive teams.
The club’s competitive athletes, under the leadership of Mantei, received additional support from assistant head coach Kelsey Potoma.
In addition to the swimming performances, the water show was also an opportunity for the club to celebrate the achievements of its coaches and volunteers. This year, the club recognized Kara Grosjean, one of the mini mermaid coaches, as she graduates from high school and transitions to university. The Estevan Mermaids also thanked all the coaches, board members, parents, and sponsors for their continued support.
"Without the support of our sponsors, it would be difficult to keep our costs down and make the sport more inclusive," Mantei explained. "We want to make sure all kids have the chance to experience artistic swimming, regardless of their financial situation."
The Estevan Mermaids have also benefited from the generosity of local sponsors, including DQ Estevan, Southern Plains Co-op, Royal Bank, Purdys Chocolates, and the City of Estevan, as well as various grants.
As the season continues, Mantei expressed how rewarding it is to see the athletes grow and gain confidence throughout the year. "The smiles on their faces after performing in the water show made it all worthwhile," she said. "It’s amazing to see how far they’ve come, especially those who were just starting out at the beginning of the season."
The Estevan Mermaids are now gearing up for Provincials and the Canadian Prairie Championships, continuing to inspire young swimmers to pursue their passion for artistic swimming.
“We encourage our competitive teams to attend, but only the youth team decided to go, along with our two junior soloists,” Mantei said.
The competitive team consists of Ava Donison, Brinley Groenveld, Isabelle Pyra, Kayden Pukas, Mahaley Fonstad, Rory Miller, Rowyn Shier, and Sierra Mantei. Shier and Mantei will also compete in junior solos at the competition.
