Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 20, 1992 TAG: 9202200498
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MARY JO SHANNON SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
GYMNASTICS IN WATER
WHILE strains of "Phantom of the Opera" blare forth from a water-resistant tape recorder, two young teen-agers glide through the water.In unison their legs emerge gracefully from the surface, then disappear as the girls' bodies perform precision dance maneuvers below the surface.
This is synchronized swimming - the only such class in Western Virginia. Genia Lindsey, instructor, organized the class in March 1991, for two reasons.
"I was asked to coordinate synchronized swimming at the Virginia State Games in June, and I thought it would be nice to have a team competing," she said.
"They all received either gold or silver medals in their age categories."
Lindsey also wanted the class to help those who cannot participate in other sports for medical reasons.
During a brief period when she taught classes at a private swim club, one of Lindsey's students was a young girl with juvenile arthritis. Lindsey could not refuse when the girl asked her to please make a class available again.
"Swimming is excellent therapy for those who suffer physical handicaps which rule out other sports," Lindsey explained. "Synchronized swimming is a beautiful sport - gymnastics in the water."
The sport is now an Olympic event, judged on a scale of 0-10 in five categories.
The figure competition involves performing various structured movements that require control of the body in the water in both horizontal and vertical positions. Considering all the variations, there are about 500 figures.
The next category is a solo, a 3 1/2-minute routine incorporating various figures. This is followed by a 4-minute duet, then a trio and finally a team routine.
"Judging can be very subjective," Lindsey said. "There is not a definite finish line as in racing. It is more like gymnastics in that regard."
When the class was organized last year, only two of the 12 members had previous experience, one in Canada and one in Michigan. The age range is from 7 to 15 years. The range in swimming skill is also broad, but Lindsey is willing to work with interested students with minimum skills. She said that adult women can also be taught, including those 80 years old or older.
"I know one older woman with heart problems and diabetes who was kept alive by such a class," she said.
It takes a year to learn to extend the body in the water without cramping, Lindsey said, explaining how the girls learn "sculling," propelling the water around their bodies to keep their bodies up and in position.
After much practice they are able to hold a vertical position with the head down. Nose clips and goggles are used because they spend so much time under water. With practice, endurance and concentration increase.
Lindsey plans to compete in a meet in Richmond April 11-12 so the girls can see established teams in action. They will also compete in the Virginia State Games at Hollins College on June 28.
Some of the members say they not only are in the class for fun, they have high regard for Lindsey. Michelle McClelland, 15-year-old Cave Spring High School student, compared Lindsey's style with that of her coach in Calvary, Canada.
"Genia listens to us when we make suggestions," McClelland said. "I had not been used to that. And we've learned more figures [than in her previous class.] She's really good."
With the wide age range in the class, older students often work with younger ones, said McClelland, who likes that aspect. McClelland, who "likes kids and enjoys working with them," said she wants to be a teacher or a lawyer and doesn't intend to make swimming a career.
Cara Meador, a 12-year-old from Mason's Cove Elementary School, also enjoys the class and appreciates Lindsey's concern for the individual.
"She tries to help us out when we have problems," she said.
At Christmas the class presented Lindsey with a special gift - earrings they ordered from the United States Synchronized Swimming Association.
"We saw them listed in a copy of the Journal in her office," McClelland said. "We thought she would like them, so we ordered them."
The earrings are small reproductions of swimmers performing one of the many figures in the sport - the "dolphin." Lindsey did like them - but appreciated even more the thoughtfulness that prompted the girls to follow through on the idea.
"Just to know they cared enough to do that really touches me," she said. Members of the class are: Michelle McClelland, Sarah Johnson, Beth Wiles, Cara Meador, Kim Lavinder, Sarah Reed, Kate Preston, Megan Carroll, Brittany Kerfoot, Katherine Lunsford, Courtney Onufrak and Lisa Wood.
For more information about the class, call the Central YWCA at 345-9922.