The Calgary Aquabelles have been around for a long time. And every year, they continue to produce top level athletes. This is a special year for the Aquabelles, with the synchronized swim club celebrating its 60th season. “It’s really unheard of to have a club that’s been going for this long,” says former Aquabelle team member Halle Pratt. “This many years, I think it’s really special and unique,” Pratt added, " and it’s something that the Aquabelles have and it’s really special." The Aquabelles have produced a lot of world class athletes over the years as well, including 17 who have competed in the Olympics. Some of them gathered at the MNP Centre on Friday morning. Kelly Kryczka-Irwin won a silver medal at the L.A. Olympics in 1984. She credits great coaching. “They made sure through the years that we got all the basics right and our drills were right,” Kryczka-Irwin said. “We worked hard and worked long hours and there were high expectations and I think that in the end, that made us have those same expectations.” Michelle Cameron-Coulter won gold at the Seoul Olympics in 1988. She says the Aquabelles played a big role in who she is today. “I was a quiet, shy sick kid who failed my first level of swimming four times,” Cameron-Coulter said. “I didn’t find this sport until I was 13, so never in a million years did I think that I would have a journey that would take me to the Olympics through a sport that was brand new to me back then.” Jaime Czarkowski also went through the Aquabelles. She competed for the United States at the 2024 Paris Olympics and won a silver. She says it was a special time in her life to be an Aquabelle. “Growing up in this club, I was always surrounded by so many inspiring athletes, coaches and teammates,” Czarkowski said. “I felt so lucky that I got to learn from them all the time and kind of fall in their legacy. “I think it’s really cool that I can come back and celebrate 60 years and know that I was part of that as well.” And now the next generation of Aquabelles gets to look up to these athletes: 16-year-old Harlow Darragh would love to follow in their footsteps. “Honestly, just being around all of these Olympians is truly just remarkable,” Darragh said. “Having a coach that has created such athletes, it’s huge inspiration for me as an athlete and my future.” The Aquabelles are having a 60th Anniversary celebration Friday at the Calgary Petroleum Club. Over 200 Aquabelles spanning six decades are expected to attend.
