Frequently Asked Questions
- How are the Aquabelles’ swimmers organized for training and competition?
- What swimming experience do I need to become an Aquabelle?
- How are teams picked?
- How often do the Aquabelles practice?
- Where do the Aquabelles train?
- What competitions do the Aquabelles go to?
- When is registration for the Aquabelles?
- What should I do if I am interested in joining the Aquabelles?
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The Aquabelles have competitive synchronized swimming programs both at the provincial and national levels. The Calgary Aquabelles adopted the High Performance Long Term Athlete Development program in 2007.
Provincial Stream (formerly Wildrose)Our Provincial swimmers compete in 3 categories:
- FUNdamentals (10 & Under, formerly Tier 1) – LTAD Fundamentals Level
- Mini-Belles (12 & Under, formerly Tier 2) – LTAD Fundamentals Level
- Team-Belles (13-15, formerly Tier 3) – LTAD Learn to Train Level
These athletes compete at local, regional, provincial and inter-provincial competitions.
National Stream (formerly NAG)Our National swimmers compete in 3 age categories:
- Espoir (13-15, formerly Tier 6) – LTAD Train to Train Level
- Junior (16-18, formerly Tier 7 Jr) – LTAD Train to Compete Level
- Senior (18 & Over, formerly Tier 7 Sr) – LTAD Train to Win Level
These athletes compete at local, regional, provincial, Western Divisional, National, and International competitions. Some of these athletes will earn spots on Canada’s National Teams and represent our country at international events selected by Synchro Canada.
All age groups are organized into teams for performance and competition. Individual swimmers may also swim solos and/or partner up for duets.
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To join a Provincial team, you should have a reasonable ability to swim with completion of some Red Cross programs. Swimmers wanting to join a National team should be accomplished swimmers. Competitive experience at the Provincial or Recreational level and/or participation in an Aquabelles or Synchro Alberta training camp is recommended.
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All swimmers who join the Calgary Aquabelles are assigned a team. In the case where there are enough swimmers, more than one team may be organized for a specific age group. Teams are chosen based on technical and artistic ability. Provincial swimmers with exceptional ability may be invited to try out for the Espoir 13-15 team, and younger National Stream swimmers may be invited to "swim up" with the next higher age category. Training and try-outs for these teams occurs during the months of August and September.
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- Provincial 10 & Under: 3 days per week – 6 hours per week total
- Provincial 12 & Under: 4 days per week – 10 hours per week total
- Provincial 13-15: 5 days per week – 11 hours per week total
- National Espoir: 15-20 hours per week
- National Junior: 17-22 hours per week
- National Senior: 20-30 hours per week
Note that there will be some variance depending on participation in solos and duets
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The Calgary Aquabelles make use of the following facilities:
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Pre-Competitive Full Season Program
- Will compete at all Aquabelles hosted competitions
- They will be registered as exhibition or pre-swimmers. No pressure, just fun.
Provincial Stream CompetitionsBeginning in November and ending in June, the Provincial stream competitions are as follows:
- City of Calgary Figures Meet
- Southern Alberta Trials
- Provincials
- MASY Challenge (to be held in either Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan or Yukon)
- Other invitational competitions (if time and money permit)
National Stream CompetitionsBeginning in November and ending in early May, the National stream competitions are as follows:
- City of Calgary Figures Meet
- Provincial Qualifier
- Michelle Cameron Invitational
- Provincials
- Westerns (March in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba)
- Nationals
- International competitions (if time and money permit)
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The Aquabelles’ season begins near the end of August with registration packages being distributed a few weeks before. Training camps are offered in June, July, and August.
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For further information about registration, training camps and try-outs, please contact us!




