WHERE TEAMMATES BECOME BEST FRIENDS

The New Canaan YMCA Aquianas Artistic Swimming program (formerly synchronized swimming), was founded on the belief that artistic swimming can be an expressive and creative outlet within an athletic and competitive environment.  The Aquianas offer both recreational programs as well as the nationally ranked competitive team.  All programs are led by experienced coaches who serve as positive role models for the swimmers, and who foster a strong sense of teamwork, camaraderie, work ethic, and fun!

Fish (Ages 6-9) No Experience Necessary!

The Aquianas Fish program is for children ages 6-9 who would like the experience of being on an artistic swimming team without the requirement of competition. This program teaches artistic swimming skills, an introduction to flexibility training, and enjoy new ways to move in the water with friends. Both beginners and individuals with some artistic swimming experience will enjoy this program. Mid-session registrations are accepted space permitting, with coach permission.

Artistic Swimming Camp (Boys & Girls Ages 6-12) No Experience Necessary!

Formerly Synchronized Swimming Camp, artistic swimming is the perfect combination of dance, gymnastics, music, and water! If your child enjoys any of those activities, they will love artistic swimming. The two-week sessions will introduce your child to the sport while enhancing their flexibility, endurance, and overall comfort in the water. Basic artistic swimming skills are taught along with a routine that is choreographed to music that is heard under the water as well as above.

*For evaluation and registration information, contact Deb Isidro at 203-920-1633 or [email protected].

The nationally ranked New Canaan YMCA Aquianas competitive teams are comprised of swimmers from the intermediate level through elite level.  The goal for all team members is to reach their potential while having fun! The nationally certified coaching staff strives to develop positive values and foster teamwork among athletes of every level, with a focus on developing success both in and out of the water.  Teams compete on the local, regional, zone, national, and international levels for those who qualify.

Aquianas Team Highlights

• U.S. Youth National Team Member, Sophia Shen
• U.S. Youth National Team Assistant Coach, Laura Mase
• U.S. Jr. National Championships Team Event, Bronze Medal
• 22nd Primorje Cup (Croatia) High Point Winner
• Youth, Jr., & Sr. East Zone High Point Winners

Intermediate Team

Ages 12 & Under, 13 & Over

The Intermediate team is the perfect introduction to competitive artistic swimming. The swimmers spend the fall learning basic skills and the winter combining those skills into two routines. In the spring they attend four competitions, increasing confidence and teamwork and having fun are the major goals of this program.

The 12 & Under Intermediate team practices three times per week on the following days:

• Tuesdays: 4:00-6:30 PM
• Thursdays: 4:00-6:30 PM
• Saturdays: 11:00 AM-1:30 PM

The 13 & Over Intermediate team practices three times per week on the following days:

• Mondays: 5:00-7:30 PM
• Wednesdays: 5:00-7:30 PM
• Saturdays: 1:00-3:30 pm

Age Group Teams (Invitation Only)

Ages 12 & Under

The 12 & Under team competes locally and regionally and introduces swimmers to national-level competition. Goal setting is introduced and the girls train to attain both their individual goals and the team goal of attending a national meet. A strong emphasis is placed on developing both the synchro skills and confidence needed to compete nationally.

Ages 13 & Over

The 13 & Over team competes in multiple national meets each year, with the opportunity to compete internationally as well.  Past swimmers on this team have been named to the United States 13-15 and Junior National Teams. Like all Aquianas programs, the 13 & Over team strives to develop confident, team-oriented athletes with strong artistic swimming skills. Graduates of this program often continue their artistic swimming careers in college. Recent alumni have swam for Stanford University, Ohio State University, College of William and Mary, Wheaton College, University of Florida and more.

USA Artistic Swimming

East Zone Synchronized Swimming

FINA

How to Knox Your Hair Video

Registration is open to new program participants each August on a first-come, first-served basis.  For team/program placements a swimmer’s age is determined by the age they will be on December 31, 2023. Most of our new swimmers begin in the fish program or artistic swimming camp, but some are placed directly on the Intermediate team, with coach approval. Individuals with previous artistic swimming experience (e.g. at a summer club) or an extensive background in competitive swimming, dance, gymnastics, or diving are most likely to begin our program on the Intermediate team. Individuals who are 11 and older are also likely to begin on our Intermediate team, as their increased maturity allows them to learn new skills faster than younger beginners. If your child is considering joining the Aquianas and would like to be considered for the intermediate team, please contact Jen Muzyk by email to schedule an evaluation.

Past participants in the New Canaan YMCA artistic swimming program will receive registration packets via email in early August. Please contact Jen Muzyk by email if you are a past program participant who has not received a registration packet.

For additional information about the Aquianas Artistic Swimming program, please contact Jen Muzyk by email.

Online Registration Portal

Program Brochures

Jennifer Muzyk

Director of Synchronized Swimming / Junior Team Coach
Phone: 203-920-1648
Email:  [email protected]

Jen was a synchronized swimmer at the New Canaan YMCA throughout high school before earning three All-American awards at Canisius College. After college graduation in 2000, she started coaching first part-time, then as the Assistant Director and now as the Director and head coach of the Aquianas. Since joining the coaching staff, Jen has earned the National Coaching Merit Award in 2004, the East Zone Coach of the Year in 2010, was added to the National Team coaches pool in 2011, coached the 2012 13-15 National Team, became a national level judge, and skills assessor.

Laura Mase

Youth Team Coach

Email: [email protected]

Laura has been involved in synchronized swimming since 1993. As a swimmer, Laura swam for the New Canaan Aquianas from 1993-2001, then for the University of Richmond from 2001-2005. From 2005-2007, Laura worked as the Education Director for United States Synchronized Swimming. She attended graduate school at New York University for Speech and Language Pathology from 2008-2011. Laura has been back with the Aquianas as an assistant coach since 2008 and was named 12&under National Team Coach in 2020.