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Before swimming, all make-up, lotion, oils and sunscreen should be removed and swimmers should always use the showers to rinse off before entering the pool. The Olympium actually requires a “soapy shower” prior to swimming. When people don’t shower these products and body oils and debris can cause the pool chemical levels to rise to address those added impurities. The resulting elevated chemical levels can irritate the skin and eyes, as well as fade suits and wear out swim gear faster.

For the hair, it is suggested to use a conditioner regularly to protect the hair from pool chemicals. Chemically treated (colored or permed) hair is more susceptible to changing color or being damaged from swimming. Artistic swimmers wear swim caps, which can provide a partial barrier from the chemicals in the pool. It is suggested that caps be put on either over dry hair or shower-wet hair prior to entering the pool. There are special shampoos and conditioners for swimmers to help remove pool chemicals and treat damaged hair. These are available through swim shops.

For the skin, besides showering prior to entering the pool, swimmers should also shower after swimming to remove any chemicals. There are special skin lotions for swimmers available through swim shops, or normal lotions can be used, depending on skin sensitivity.

To prevent the development of “swimmers’ ear”, which can develop when excess water is left in the ears after swimming or showering, there are over-the-counter preventatives that can be used that dry out the ears. Some swim shops carry specific ear treatments for swimmers, or special earplugs to keep the water out. It is important to dry the ears thoroughly with a towel after swimming.

For most practices, the swimmers will wear goggles; however, for routine competitions and for some practices prior to competitions, artistic swimmers need to swim their routines without goggles. There are over-the-counter eye treatments for red, itchy or burning eyes, but read the labels to see if these are usable for eye irritations caused by swimming. Some swim shops carry specific products for swimmers. Swimmers should be sure to remove make-up before swimming. Some swimmers, who wear contacts, have used a special kind of disposable contact lenses that stay in the eye even when eyes are opened underwater. These may provide a partial barrier from chemicals.

For goggles, caps, noseclips and suits, a good rinsing in cold water will remove most of the chemicals. Suits should always be hung to dry and not left wet in swim bags. Suits can be laundered periodically by hand in a gentle washing solution. Goggles, caps and noseclips should be completely dried after rinsing. Caps can be hung on a hook or doorknob to allow the inside to dry. A little bit of corn starch or baby powder can be used inside caps and on noseclips for longer life of these items.

A swim shop local to Etobicoke, is Spashables – they can help you find products that will help support your swimmer.

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11-12 FINA Coach

In 2014, OSSC appointed Julie Thaden to the position of OSSC Head Coach, overseeing all aspects of the HP and evening programs. Julie leads our talented staff of coaches in providing an incredible, well-rounded program for all of our swimmers. She coaches in both the High Performance and Evening Competitive programs. Since coming to OSSC she has coached the 11-12 HP athletes to gold and bronze at the 2015 Espoir Championship and to two silver medals in 2016.

Julie comes to OSSC with a wealth of experience and credentials. Before coming to Canada, she was Head Coach at Multnomah Athletic Club in Portland, Oregon and held that position for over 11 years. Prior to that she developed Indy Synchro Club in Indianapolis, Indiana where she was Head Coach for 16 years. She started out coaching in Ohio, where she grew up swimming synchro. Julie holds a Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Leisure Services from Kent State University. Her master level studies include sports psychology, pedagogy and physiology through Human Kinetics and the American Sports Coaching Education Program.

Julie was a member of the US National Team pool of coaches from 1993-2013. In that time she’s held multiple US National Team coaching positions at all levels including:

Head Coach, 2009 & 2010 12-under Teams

Figure Coach, 2008 13-15 Team

Head Coach, 2000 Junior Team, 1998 Senior Team 2

Assistant Coach, 2001 Senior Team 2, 1997 Senior Team 2, 1995 Jazz Splash Team

Many of her club athletes were appointed to US national teams at all levels from the 12-under Team to Senior Team 1.

Julie is an original faculty member of the US Coaching Certification Program. She holds the highest level of certification the US currently grants, CCP level 6 and has conducted certification courses for other coaches around the US. She has been a frequent presenter at US Synchro’s annual Coaches College and has often conducted national and zone-wide clinics and camps in the US. In addition, she has served as a FINA Developmental Clinician, helping to foster synchro in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.

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Co-director of Athletic Movement Assessment Inc.

Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist

Medical Acupuncture Provider

Active Release Techniques Provider

Dr. Bryon Weinberg is a graduate of the University of Hawaii where he attended on a tennis scholarship, and the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College. In addition, he is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and co-founder of Athletic Movement Assessment (AMA).

As a chiropractor specializing in sports performance at High Point Wellness Centre, Dr. Weinberg has been able to help athletes from all different sports achieve their goals through treatment, rehabilitation, and pre-habilitation programs.

Dr. Weinberg has worked with numerous amateur and professional athletes, including former top 10 world ranked tennis player Maria Kirilenko, many Toronto Argonauts players, and North American Boxing Association champion Stephan Boyd.

Please check out highpointclinic.com and athleticmovementassessment.com for more information.

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Ryleigh fell in love with synchro when she started Kids In Sync at age 8.  Over the past four years, she has had fantastic coaches that challenge her and great teammates to work with at the Novice level.  Last year she earned the 110% Effort Award, and this year she has excelled at figures competitions. Outside of Synchro, Ryleigh is a talented musician.  She is a singer, cellist, guitarist and composer.  She loves to sail, travel and cook.  At school, she plays on the volleyball and basketball teams and is in this year’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. “At practice, Ryleigh is always eager to learn,” says coach Diana Selemeneva. “When we are learning new counts to our routine she always pays really close attention, so she learns the counts very quickly and is always the sharpest when we are doing land drills. All of her effort on land transfers into the water. she is constantly pushing for better.”

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11-12 Provincial Team Trials Phase 2 Qualifiers – Jasmine Raybould, Anna Doneva, Francesca Seed, Lily Noe

13-15 Provincial Team Trials Phase 2 Qualifiers – Bella Hajdu, Marissa Enns, Evelyn Young, Aysia Tse

Routines:

FINA 11-12 Solo – 2nd, Jasmine Raybould, 5th, Sarah Taylor

FINA 11-12 Duet – 2nd, Jasmine Raybould & Sarah Taylor; 3rd, Alicia Li & Francesca Seed

FINA 13-15 Duet – 7th, Marissa Enns & Bella Hajdu; 9th, Andrea Coralles-Malaga & Aysia Tse; 10th, Claire Christie & Rachel de Leeuw

FINA 11-12 Team – 2nd, Julie’s Team

FINA 13-15 Team – 5th, Elena’s Team; 9th, Steph’s Team

Routines eligible for National Qualifier:  Both 13-15 teams and 4 13-15 duets: Enns & Hajdu; Coralles-Malaga & Tse; Christie & de Leeuw; Sierra Motzek & Mara Putin.

Winner of the 11-12 All Around Athlete Award – Jasmine Raybould

Congrats to all our HP coaches: Elena, Steph, Amy, Julie & Cheryl!

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11-12 Pre-Competitive Team– 1st place in Most Memorable Moment

9-10 Novice Team– 1st place in Most Memorable Moment

11-12 Novice Trio– 1st place in Most Memorable Moment

13-15 Novice Team – 1st place in Most Memorable Moment

Congrats to all our novice & pre-competitive coaches: Renee, Jeanine, Marin, Hannah & Diana!

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13-15 FINA

OSSC Team Coach since 2005
Elena Podolsky came to Canada in 1990, bringing with her a degree in Physical Education from the University of Moscow and 8 years of expertise as Head Coach at the Central School of Sport Excellence in Moscow.

Elena coached at OSSC from 1990-1998. During these years she coached many teams who were successful at a National level. In 1998 Elena moved to Synchro Optima where she coached her swimmers to 1st place wins at Ontario Winter Games and National Competitions. From 1999-2005 she was Head Coach at Optima. Elena returned to OSSC in 2005. While coaching with OSSC Elena has had numerous swimmers named to the 13 – 15 and Junior National Teams as well as Provincial teams over the years, 1^st placed team at Nationals in 2007, 2nd placed team in 2006 and 3rd place in 2005.

Elena has a NCCP Level 4 Qualification and continues to participate in Professional Development Courses to update and enhance her coaching experience. In 1996 Elena won the Susan Eon Trophy as the most promising new Coach in Canada and in 2001 she was runner-up for the prestigious 3M Coaching Canada Award. In 2012 she was awarded the Charlotte Tutte-Eyres Trophy. This trophy is awarded to a coach who reflects the philosophy of Charlotte Tutte, in developing Team spirit and enhancing growth of athletes as individuals and competitors. Over the years, Elena has made tremendous contributions to the sport of synchronized swimming, including the design and implementation of new training programs which she has shared with athletes and coaches from a number of different countries around the world including Australia, Cuba, Greece, Hungary, Korea, Malaysia and Slovakia.

Coaching Experience:

National Teams

2013 Head Coach 13-15 National Team

2012 Head Coach 13-15 National Team

2011 Head Coach 13-15 National Team

2010 Head Coach 13-15 National Team

2008 Head Coach, Junior National Team

2007 Head Coach, 13-15 National Team Camp

2006 Assistant Coach,  Jr. Worlds, Foshan, China

2004 Assistant Coach, World Championships in Moscow

Olympic National Team, Canada
2004 Consultant, Flexibility Program

Synchro Ontario

2013 Talent Acceleration Pilot Program
Canada Games 2003, 2007- Head Coach Team Ontario
2006 Provincial Senior Team Assistant Coach
13-15 National Team Trials Camp Conductor

National Team Slovakia
Training Camp

National Synchronized Team of Greece
Summer 2004 Coach Consultant of Greek National Team for Olympic Games in Athens

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Stephanie first started coaching in 2001. Since then, she has coached a wide range of levels and age groups at various clubs throughout the province. In 2004, she initiated and developed the re-establishment of the Trent University Synchro Team, and competed with the team. She was the head coach of the Brant Synchro club for 3 years, and has been involved in multiple Synchro Ontario High Performance Camps. In 2013, Stephanie spent the summer developing a synchro camp, along with regular season programming for athletes on the island of Curacao. She is a provincial level judge, and continues to compete in the sport at the Masters level. She has attended 5 Fina Master’s World Championships over the years.

Steph continues to be involved in both the morning and evening programs. She will be coaching all HP programs along side our other HP coaches this season.

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