Nova Scotia Artistic Swimming

It is awesome to see our clubs getting back in the pool! Look at those smiles!

Check out the amazing Aqua Go! program being offered at Atlantis Synchro. The program is an excellent way for kids to build swimming fundamentals, artistic swimming skills, athletic abilities and flexibility.

Artistic Swimming in Nova Scotia couldn't survive without our exceptional volunteers. Congratulations to Lezlie Lowe for winning Sport Nova Scotia's - Support4Sport Artistic Swimming Volunteer of the Year! Thank you for everything that you do!

Support Halifax Aqua Nova and their amazing athletes! What would you do with the jackpot?

Here is a great opportunity to support Atlantis Synchro and their awesome team! Buy a ticket today for your chance to win.

Congratulations to Ally Merrill for winning Support4Sport Artistic Swimming Coach of the Year. We can't thank Ally enough for everything she does to support our athletes both in and out of the water. We are lucky to have her!!!

Nova Scotia's artistic swimmers are back at home practicing in their bubbles! Thank you to our ever adaptable and super awesome coaches who are keeping things fun for our athletes.

Happy Halloween! Do you like dressing up and swimming? Check out Artistic Swimming where you can combine both.

A huge shout out to Maurice Hurley for winning the 2020 NS Artistic Swimming Support4Sport Official of the Year Award! It took some digging to find a photo... Maurice is usually the one capturing them for us. Thank you for all that you do for our sport!

We are pleased to introduce Angela, NSAS's new Administrator. Her passion for Artistic Swimming combines with her impressive business background to make her a fabulous addition to our team. Welcome Angela!

Congratulations to Halifax Aqua Nova's PS11-12 team for winning NS Artistic Swimming Team of the Year at the 2020 Support4Sport Awards. They made it look easy... which tells us just how hard they were working!!! Great job girls.

Welcome Back Swimmers! We are thrilled to see our clubs back in the pool after an extended COVID break. Did you know that our clubs offer artistic swimming options for all ages? Contact us today to find out more.

Great work Ella! Congratulations on winning the 2020 Support4Sport Junior Female Athlete of the Year Award. Your work ethic, dedication and exceptional sportsmanship is an inspiration to us all. Your future is bright!

Nova Scotia Artistic Swimming was very proud to nominate the following persons for the 2020 Support4Sport Sport Nova Scotia Awards: Ally Merrill - Coach of the Year Ella Jewer - Junior Female Athlete of the Year Maurice Hurley - Official of the Year HAN’s PS 11-12 team - Team of the Year... Lezlie Lowe - Volunteer of the Year Sport Nova Scotia will not be able to hold their regular Support4Sport Awards Banquet this year due to COVID. All the nominees will have their awards mailed to them and be recognized in the yearly program. The winners will be revealed through pre-recorded video (curtesy of Bell Media) at 6:00pm on Saturday, June 27 (tonight). Viewers can watch at home by following Sport Nova Scotia on Twitter or Facebook. The results and winner biographies will also be published on the Sport Nova Scotia website later that evening. This is a safe alternative while still recognizing all the wonderful people involved in our Nova Scotia sport community. Congratulations to all nominees.

We miss you, Pam!

Overall club spirit/fair play: Sarah has been an amazing ambassador for Atlantis this year. She is the first athlete from the club to be invited to a National Team Selection Camp. She has become a leader and a role model within the club and the province. Even though she practices 6 days a week, Sarah goes to the pool on her day off to help coach our pre-competitive team. She is always willing to help a teammate learn choreography our help a younger swimmer master a tough skill. Sarah is an amazing young woman in and out of the pool, and we are lucky to have such an inspirational athlete in the club. #sportnovascotia #NSartisticswimming

Overall club spirit/fair play: Paige took many new challenges head on this year. Moving up an age group, and swimming a duet for the first time, she faced these challenges with a positive attitude, always striving to do her best. She demonstrated great leadership through her focus on setting and accomplishing her goals. Her positive attitude and love of fun was infectious for the team. What really stood out is her demonstration of club spirit, through not only motivating her teammates, but also the younger athletes, encouraging and supporting them to demonstrate fair play at both practices and competition. #sportnovascotia #NSartisticswimming

Senior: Atlantis is so fortunate to have Alex as a senior swimmer and a coach this season. She has gone above and beyond coaching our Discover Synchro program at the Sportsplex as well as being a support coach for our 9-10 competitive team. Alex understands the importance of team work, and helps foster and build a respectful and team-oriented culture at practice and competitions. Alex demonstrates on a daily basis that it is possible to balance university, work, and synchro. She is an amazing role model! #sportnovascotia #NSartisticswimming

Junior: Imogen shows up to practice every single day with a great attitude and brings positivity and cheer to every situation. She somehow manages to lighten the mood and keep the team laughing, even during the hardest workouts and challenging situations. She loves working with the younger athletes and sharing her knowledge. She demonstrates all the qualities of Fair Play on a daily basis and is extremely deserving of this award. #sportnovascotia #NSartisticswimming

PS 13-15: Lauren is a determined athlete who constantly demonstrates a will to improve and push the limits. She not only focuses on herself but inspires and encourages her teammates to excel as well. She has overcome many obstacles this year, while always keeping a smile on her face. #sportnovascotia #NSartisticswimming

PS 13-15: This year, Lucy had an entire new team of teammates. She took a leadership role on the team, always being prepared for practice and helping to keep her teammates focused. She demonstrated fair play by always cheering on her teammates and putting in extra effort to continue to develop flexibility and strength, both at practices and at home. Her willingness to support and encourage others and demonstrate dedication and good sportsmanship really stood out on the team. #sportnovascotia #NSartisticswimming

PS 11-12: On and off the pool deck, Aurora demonstrates a positive and encouraging attitude towards everyone around her. She leads by example and is always listening to coaches and her peers with respect. New to the competitive atmosphere, Aurora handles the challenge of competing with grace and a level of positivity that spreads to her peers. All of these qualities make her very deserving of the Fair Play Award. #sportnivascotia #NSartisticswimming

Novice 13&Over: Casey is a dedicated and respectful athlete who demonstrates the qualities of Fair Play at each and every practice. She takes new challenges in stride and is always kind to her teammates and competitors. Casey is respectful to others, hard-working and helpful teammate, all qualities which make her very deserving of this award. Congratulations Casey! #sportnovascotia #NSartisticswimming

Novice 11-12: Finley is receiving the Fair Play Award for 2020 because in her first year being a competitive athlete, she has shown great strength and growth in this sport. Finley is encouraging towards other athletes, has made friends in her age group during competitions, and is always pushing her fellow athletes to be their best. #sportnovascotia #NSartisticswimming

Novice 11-12: Working hard with a smile on her face, Claire is an excellent role model for both older and younger swimmers. She always has her mind set on achieving her goals and is encouraging to her teammates to adopt the same goal-oriented mindset. She lives by the mantra If alone we believe, together we can achieve. Even through the difficulties of battling an injury this season, Claire has remained positive and supportive to her teammates. She is often heard boasting about how amazing our sport is, making her one of our youngest cheerleaders and biggest sport ambassadors. #sportnovascotia #NSartisticswimming

PS 9-10: Teagan is receiving the Fair Play Award for 2020 because she has demonstrated great growth in her confidence and sportsmanship. Teagan has built a solid foundation for artistic swimming and continues to ask questions, support other athletes, and works through every challenge she faces with thoughtfulness. #sportnovascotia #NSartisticswimming

PS 9-10: Esmee is the youngest swimmer on the team and consistently leads by example. She absorbs every instruction and correction and does not hesitate to remind her teammates what we are supposed to be doing in a respectful and cheerful way. Her quick-witted humour keeps things light and fun. In contrast, when it comes time to focus her game face is on and she is ready to work! She is well mannered, always willing to help out around the pool deck, and noticeably cheers on fellow club members or competitors at each competition. #sportnovascotia #NSartisticswimming

Normally, our Fair Play Awards are announced in April at our Provincial Championship. Due to COVID-19, we decided to take things digital. Over the next week, we will be sharing our 2019-20, Fair Play Award Winners #sportnovascotia #NSartisticswimming

Celebrating 33 years of Support to Artistic Swimming [April 30th, 2020 | Halifax, NS] NS Artistic Swimming Executive Director retires. Nova Scotia Artistic Swimming is pleased to celebrate the retirement of Executive Director, Pam Brison Kidney after 33 years of support to the sport in the province and across the country.... Pam has been a strong advocate, guide and leader for the sport of Artistic Swimming. Throughout her tenure as Executive Director, Pam has seen many athletes grow to their potential in their sport, and in their communities and beyond, and become national level athletes, coaches, officials and judges. Pam has been Nova Scotia Artistic Swimmings loudest cheerleader for decades and the sport owes her tremendous thanks for all she has done for its development and its ongoing growth and success. On behalf of the Nova Scotia Artistic Swimming Board, as well as the clubs, athletes, coaches, officials, and judges, past and present, we wish her all the best in her retirement and we look forward to seeing her in the stands, cheering on our athletes in the future, said Nadine Jewer, President of Nova Scotia Artistic Swimming. When we have the opportunity to gather again as an Artistic Swimming Community we will take the opportunity to fully recognize Pam for all she has given to the sport.

Interesting article by Danielle Poulos for Sport Quarterly. Artistic Swimming coaches are to be congratulated for continually paving the way. Keep up the good work!

Ive been getting a lot of questions about if the Olympics will take place, how the uncertainty is impacting athletes preparations... Im not really sure how ...to answer. On one hand, its drastically changing how athletes can prepare, if they can train at all... this is when we should be in peak preparation and everything has been put on hold for who knows how long. Events have been (rightfully) cancelled or postponed. While we try and continue preparations as best we can, how far behind will we fall? On the other hand, is that what we should be focusing on right now?? This pandemic is so much bigger than sport. Sure, its hard for athletes to have so much uncertainty... but then my mind goes to the health care system and the health care workers that are about to be hit hard. My brother in-law and friends that are going to be on the front line. I think about the first responders, delivery workers, and grocery store employees who will continue to serve us. I think about my 95 year old Grandma with pre-existing health conditions. We should all do everything in our power to support and protect them as much as possible, no matter what. As an athlete, I have the privilege of representing Canada in the sport that I love. Its an honour to be a part of Team Canada, truly, ...but lets put this in perspective. I am a part of the true Team Canada that is 37 million strong. Instead of wondering whats going to happen in an uncertain future, let us all focus on what we, the #TeamCanada of 37 million, can do each day to help temper the impact of this pandemic in Canada and globally. We all have a responsibility and can all have an impact. When the next Olympic Games take place, whether this summer or later, hopefully it will mean that the world has pulled together and gotten through this and the Games will, once again, be another incredible celebration of humanity. We are all in this together in Canada and around the world! See more

A positive message from Claudia Holzner.

On Friday evening everyone across the country stepped outside their houses to share a moment of solidarity through music. The family from the courtyard next to ...ours began belting out a traditional song in Puglia dialect. Anyone within earshot lent their voices or joined in with musical instruments. It was a special few minutes that gave us a break from the monotony of the lockdown. My children clapped along with the people from our courtyard. Our neighbors-the adopted grandparents of my girls at a safe distance (as they have been for weeks) forced to blow kisses from afar as my children pretended to catch them. The young family of 4 next to them, grabbed their peppa pig tambourine and joined in. Their father- a nurse (working at one of the hospitals with hundreds of reported cases) swayed to the music while holding his newborn daughter with gloved hands and a mask...not able to smoother her with kisses since her birth. After the music stopped and we turned to go back inside, my youngest daughter yelled out to everyone well play when the disease has gone. I got a lump in my throat. In the last few days I have been inundated with people reaching out, and checking in if my family is ok. Although I have been touched by the outpouring of messages, it made me painfully aware that my fellow Canadians and our neighbors to the south, are on the precipice of the curve. You have a small window now to contain the exponential nature of this virus. If your local government isnt making strict restrictions to try to flatten the curve, then it is up to you, the individual. If schools, camps or extracurricular activities arent already cancelled, pull your child out. Postpone the family reunion, cancel that dinner reservation, exercise at home, forget that birthday party. Work from home. Stock up on non-perishables, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and only go out when necessary. Those who live with any at-risk citizens need to take extra care when leaving the house. It seems extreme, but learn from Italys mistakes. We didnt act swiftly or severely enough, and we saw our cases double in one day, and continue to skyrocket. Follow in the footsteps of Hong Kong and South Korea that were able to damper their spike in cases, and thus keep hospitals and staff from being overrun. It is time for our hashtag #iostoacasa to become yours: #stayathome

Updated info. https://artisticswimming.ca/event/2020-national-qualifier/

Its with a heavy heart that we announce the cancellation of the 2020 National Qualifier scheduled to be held in Markham, Ontario, on March 24-28. As always, th...e safety and health of our participants is our top priority, which left us no choice under the circumstances. Wed like to express our heartfelt gratitude to our awesome Local Organizing Committee from Markham Synchronized Swimming Club for all the hard work they have already put in and to our provincial partners at Ontario Artistic Swimming. Thanks also to all the volunteers who had already signed up to help out with the event, including our fantastic officials from across Canada who do so much for our sport. We are still hopeful at this point that our Canadian Championships will be held as scheduled in Quebec City at the beginning of May. We will continue monitoring the situation and update as necessary. Stay safe & healthy everyone! For more information: https://artisticswimming.ca/event/2020-national-qualifier/

To all provincial sport organizations: Please see the latest update re. COVID-19 that we have received from the Province of Nova Scotia. We strongly recommend that all sport organizations implement these practices.

This post was written by Adrianne Poulos (yes, sister of Danielle) and I have permission to share it with you all. Adrianne lives in Milan, Italy. Here is her post: After receiving many messages from people asking about things here in Italy, I thought I would address things on a larger scale by writing a post. First and foremost, me and my family (including my parents down in Sicily) are fine.... Secondly, yes we are on a strict lockdown. This means everything is closed except essential services. Supermarket allow a few customers at a time. Businesses are closed. Museums, restaurants, bars, and schools are all closed. What does this translate into for us in our daily life? This is almost week 4 of me at home with the kids. If there were a voice over narrating things it would probably say something like this lockdown is proudly supported by Pinterest crafts, YouTube workout videos, excessive baking, and red wine. Abundant red wine. I am trying to keep the kids busy and active while maintaining some semblance of a normal life. I am extremely grateful for our little piece of outdoor space (something many Italians dont have) and for having TWO kids so that (aside from the million times a day they almost kill each other) they can play together....and they are getting good at it! I can hear them talking to each other using words that I have had to teach them contagious, virus, responsabilit etc....and this bring me to my last point-responsibility. You all have a civic responsibility to do your part. This virus was greatly underestimated when it made its way to Italy. Myself included denounced the severity by comparing it to the flu. I had a good laugh at memes and gifs that were circulating and making light of things. I am not any longer. This is serious. Our hospitals are overwhelmed. There is a shortage of the machines needed to care for all the patients, and doctors are faced with having to make painful decisions as to who they can help, and who gets left behind. Decisions that Im sure will haunt them years after a vaccination is discovered. I dont think of myself as an alarmist, but it is coming your way. This virus knows no borders and doesnt discriminate. Please. Practice hygiene. Teach your kids how to wash their hands effectively. Postpone social gatherings. Keep your distance, sneeze and cough into your elbow, do not greet with handshakes, hugs or kisses. Do your part. #flattenthecurve.

For information about the 2020 National Qualifier during COVID-19, please see the link below. We will continue to update clubs, athletes and coaches with information as it becomes available from Canada Artistic Swimming.

RSVP to the judging clinic ASAP This is happening on Saturday, February 29thSee more details below

Webinar series for coach professional development. DM your email and well forward the registration links #caaws #womeninsport #coachprofessionaldevelopment

The deadline for the Provincial Volunteer Awards is February 25th - It is a great opportunity to recognise some of our amazing volunteers in NS Artistic Swimming! https://novascotia.ca/NonProfit/ProvincialVolunteerAwards/

Good luck to Dal Synchro, who are getting ready to compete at Canadian University Artistic Swimming League Nationals next weekend in BC! #novascotiaartisticswimming #novascotiaathletes #sportnovascotia

There will be a judges course at Sport Nova Scotia on Saturday, February 29th from 9-5. It will be a combined Level 1-Level 2 course, which means that after completion of the classroom portion and trial judging, you will be able to judge at provincial competitions and ARC. You must be at least 16 years old or turning 16 during 2020 in order to become a judge. There is no cost for the course. Please email Jenna McNutt, Co-Officials Chair ([email protected]) if you would li...ke to attend the course or need any additional information. #artisticswimmingjudge #sportnovascotia

Team building? Doesnt this look like fun?

Alberta Artistic Swimming posted this information which I think is great to help everyone understand how the judges mark.

Congratulations to all athletes, coaches, parents, officials, judges and volunteers! Without the help of everyone, we wouldnt be able to make these meets possible . #novascotiaathletes #artisticswimming #NSinvitational @ Centennial Pool