The Estevan Mermaids welcomed newcomers to the pool this week with their annual Try It Night, giving local youth a chance to experience the sport of artistic swimming.
Head coach and Southeast Connections Winter Games team manager, Amber Mantei, said the evening was about sparking interest in a supportive environment.
“We always host it at the beginning of our season for any athletes or children, or even parents who are unsure about what our sport is,” said Mantei. “It’s not about being perfect the first time you ever learn something. It’s about something new, and you get to practice and build on it to build confidence and grow.”
Participants were introduced to basic moves like sculling and back layouts, while the Mermaids’ Winter Games athletes demonstrated advanced skills such as barracudas and rockets. Mantei said the younger swimmers were “in awe” of the team’s displays.
The Southeast Connections Winter Games team is made up of seven athletes, six from Estevan and one from Weyburn. “We have an athlete, Ava Donnison from Weyburn, and the rest are from Estevan, and that’s who make up our district,” said Mantei. “We are very happy to have Ava join us. Since Weyburn has lost its pool, that’s hard.”
Mantei emphasized that, no matter the size of the Try It Night turnout, this year, three athletes attended, the Mermaids are eager to share their sport. “Even if it were just one, we’d show them the same courtesy of teaching them and showing what our sport is all about,” she said.
She added that the club values connection, development, and community pride. “These seven athletes have worked really hard to get on that [Games] team, and it shows their determination. They are proud of our community, and they want to represent our community.”
Anyone interested in joining the Mermaids can reach out through the club’s Facebook page or by emailing estevanmermaidscoaches@gmail.com.