Synchronized Swimming at the Y Celebrates 25 years

When the lap pool in Central Bucks Family YMCA in Doylestown opened in 1989, Synchronized Swimming at the Y began. A group of women and men worked together to perfect routines and went on to compete at the Keystone Games numerous times, advancing to the State Championships five times.

Over the years, the group became much more than an outstanding syncho program. The core group has stayed together since the beginning, welcoming newcomers and expanding the program. The class continues to be focused on becoming better swimmers and staying active by making workouts fun with great music.

Recently, Joan Conover, Sue Bunkin, Sherrie Murphy and Carolyn Pearson sat down to talk about their memories and the current focus of the program, hoping to encourage others to join.

“We started class on the first day the pool opened here (in Doylestown),” said Pearson, current instructor of the group. “Back then, Liz Wescott was the instructor and we used to practice in the swimming pool at the Sylvan Pool showroom, where the Y used to hold group swim lessons.”

Sue swam in college but participants do no need extensive swim experience.

What are the current goals of the program? They answer together: “Fun, becoming better swimmers, staying healthy in our senior years, good friends.” In fact, the group sees each other just as often out of the water than in, getting together for lunch, parties and garden shows.

“We are always seeking new participants for fun, fitness and friendship,” said longtime instructor Carolyn Pearson.

For information about the program, contact Ashley Coticchio at 215.348.8131, x1409.