The Estevan Mermaid Artistic Swimming Club is ready to make a splash this season with an expanded coaching staff and programs for swimmers of all ages and abilities.
Head coach Amber Mantei, now in her second season, explains that artistic swimming is the updated term for synchronized swimming. Athletes in the club compete as individuals, soloists, duets, and teams at various levels. The youngest age group, the Mini Mermaids starting at 5 years old. “So they are just learning the techniques and swimming,” Mantei said.
The club also offers a limited competitive category where swimmers participate in five competitions throughout the season. Additionally, the recreational program allows individuals to enjoy the sport without the pressure of competition. “Any age can join that, and then they get to perform for our water show in April,” Mantei added.
Mantei noted that the club has been a part of the Estevan community for about 10 years. Despite a sharp decrease in participants following the COVID-19 pandemic, the club has experienced consistent growth each year. “I’m thinking it’s getting popular again, and a lot of people see it as a different avenue of being in the water, being active for their kids, and it’s open to all ages, genders, and abilities. So athletes from all walks of life can enjoy being in the water,” she said.
Artistic swimming, according to Mantei, teaches a range of transferable skills. “It involves gymnastics, and dance, and strength in the water. Like water polo, it takes all of those different aspects of those sports but puts them into the water. These athletes are quite amazing at what they can achieve,” she remarked.
The Mermaids' season begins at the end of August and wraps up around May, depending on the athletes' level of competitiveness. The limited competitive swimmers conclude their season right after provincials, which is at the beginning of April. “If they choose to try out for the high-performance team with Saskatchewan Artistic Swimming, they go all the way to the end of May,” Mantei explained.
The Mermaids compete against teams from across the province, including those from Regina, Saskatoon, Lloydminster, Prince Albert, and Weyburn. They also participate in the Canadian Prairie Championship, which takes place at the beginning of May in Winnipeg with teams from Manitoba, Flin Flon and Thunder Bay taking part. “It all depends on if the teams are willing to travel. That’s a large competition at a provincial swimming level,” she noted.
With a new board and an expanded coaching staff, Mantei is excited about the upcoming season. “We’ve grown; I believe we’ve almost doubled in our numbers this past season, so that was very exciting for us,” she said, adding that many swimmers have progressed into the competitive groups.
“We will actually have two competitive teams, which we haven’t seen for quite a while, so we’re very excited,” Mantei said. The club sees the largest number of athletes at the Mini level, but participation is balanced between limited competitive and competitive athletes. “Which is great because it just gives us so many opportunities to build different-sized teams and skill levels and help these athletes develop and follow their dreams,” she said.
She also noted that Saskatchewan Artistic Swimming is looking for past athletes or parents who want to get involved in the sport as judges or volunteers. “Please contact us because we are always in need of judges and volunteers to keep our sport alive,” Mantei said.
Registration for Mini and Recreational teams is now open. The Mermaids will host their first “try-it” night on August 26 from 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a second session scheduled for September 4 from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Mantei noted that families with older athletes interested in trying the sport can contact the Estevan Mermaids through their Facebook page or by email at estevan.mermaids@gmail.com.