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For the past six years, Lizzie Welzien has traveled several days each week from her San Ramon home to Walnut Creek to train with the world-renowned Walnut Creek Aquanuts Synchronized Swim Team. In a typical week, this Gale Ranch Middle School student spends 15 to 20 hours in the pool and many additional hours commuting.
For Lizzie, this has been well worth it – she has been coached by Olympians and excelled at the sport, while building many close friendships.
This summer, Lizzie and her team traveled much further than Walnut Creek. After Lizzie’s team won the U.S. National Championship in Gainesville, Fla., in June, the team had the distinction of representing the United States in the Comen Cup in Belgrade, Serbia. From Aug. 3-9, the best synchronized swimmers born in 1994, 1995 and 1996 competed in Belgrade.
The Aquanuts won bronze in the solo and duet competition, and Lizzie’s team took fifth place in the overall competition – fifth place in the world! a huge win for the Aquanuts and the United States.
Most of the national teams competing in Belgrade had trained together for many years and were older, whereas the Aquanut team was comprised of younger girls who had trained together for less than a year. Lizzie was one of these younger girls.
Not only has Lizzie won dozens of gold medals in synchronized swimming, she has also been recognized for contributions to the Walnut Creek Aquanuts. She was the 2008 recipient of the Junior Aquanut Award. This distinction is given to girls who are world class swimmers and role models inside and outside of the pool. Award recipients demonstrate superior leadership and sportsmanship and truly inspire teammates.
When Gina Pietras, her 2008 coach, presented the award to Lizzie, she noted, “Lizzie has a great attitude. Before our team’s first competition, Lizzie made personalized inspirational cards for all her teammates, helping everyone relax and enjoy a potentially stressful event. Throughout the season, she continued to make these cards much to everyone’s delight. She was a positive motivator for the entire team.”
The Aquanuts hope to introduce more Tri-Valley athletes to the sport. On Saturday, Oct. 3, the Aquanuts are coming to Dougherty Valley High School, 10550 Albion Road, San Ramon, to showcase their talent to the community. From 2-3:30 p.m., the public is invited to attend a demonstration by Lizzie and her teammates. Additionally, one of the Aquanuts’ own Olympians will make a special guest appearance.
This demonstration kicks off to a five-week recreation program that the Aquanuts are offering at Dougherty Valley High School. Swimmers, ages 6-11 years, will learn the fundamentals of synchronized swimming including basic sculling, figures, routine development, and choreography.
“The City of San Ramon Aquatic staff are pleased to bring to Walnut Creek Aquanuts into our community. They are a perfect complement to the city’s existing programs,” said Keith Haase, Aquatics Supervisor for San Ramon
The first five -week session starts Monday, Oct. 5. Classes will be offered every Monday and Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. The second session will start on Monday, Nov. 9. Classes for the second session will be held from 4:30-6 p.m. There is a $45 US Synchronized Swimming annual registration fee and a $160 fee per session. Participants must be able to swim the length of a 25-meter pool and be comfortable in deep water without a floatation device. For more information about this program, visit www.aquanuts.org or contact Mary Butwinick at MaryButwinick@gmail.com.
Since synchronized swimming debuted in the 1984 Olympics, the Walnut Creek Aquanuts have won more medals than any other synchronized swimming club in America. Who knows? Perhaps someday, Lizzie or other Tri-Valley synchronized swimmers will stand on the Olympic medal podium.
The Walnut Creek Aquanuts is a local and world-renowned synchronized swimming club committed to helping each of its sixty-five athletes reach her full potential. Coaches nurture confidence, instill responsibility and commitment, and teach the value of hard work, time management, and a healthy lifestyle. For over 40 years, the organization has trained novices as well as national, international, and Olympic champions. For more information about the Walnut Creek Aquanuts contact http://www.aquanuts.org.
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