Local Synchronized Swimmer Earns Spot on National Team

On July 31, her 12th birthday Caitlyn Klauer will travel to Indianapolis to begin training with the United States national team of synchronized swimmers ages 11-to-12.

Klauer began synchronized swimming at a young age, after trying out a short camp one summer. She now trains at the as part of the Andover/North Andover synchronized swimming program.

“She tried gymnastics and dance but she felt more at home in the water than on land,” Caitlyn’s mother, Kathleen Klauer, laughed.

The idea of combining the dance and gymnastics in the water intrigued the younger Klauer, who said she didn’t know right away that she had a talent for synchronized swimming.

Her mother recalled Caitlyn’s first day in the pool.

“She went to the trial program and after one lap, waved her goggles at me and said ‘I want to go home now,” the elder Klauer laughed again. “She thought it was just going to be swimming. I gave her a smile and left for the remainder. When I returned she never said anything again. Once she got started with the music and dance training, she never looked back.”

Caitlyn, who trains with the older 13-year-old team during the season, traveled with them to Santa Clara, Calif., where she was discovered.

Caitlyn’s mother wasn’t sure her daughter knew what the west coast competition would be like.

“Historically, I think that’s where many of the girls [on the national team] come from,” Klauer said. “Synchronized swimming is bigger out there.”

Caitlyn ended up placing sixth in the competition of what the elder Klauer estimates about 50 competitors. The top 12 are meant to qualify. The young Klauer reached the attention of the National team.

“I was pretty excited and nervous at the same time,” the well-spoken Caitlyn said about hearing the news. She also added that she is still a little nervous but more confident now as July 31 draws near.

A typical day for the young athlete varies upon the season. During the summer months she does not train with her team, however she is still in the pool three days a week.

“I also keep stretching everyday,” Caitlyn said. “I work on my right, left, and center splits so I don’t lose them.”

During the season, which lasts all the way from September to late June, Caitlyn said she trains four to five days a week. The team will spend about an hour on dry land working on splits and core strengthening exercises and then practice routines in the pool for two to three hours, according to the younger Klauer.

“Synchronized swimming is a mix of gymnastics, dancing and cheerleading,” Caitlyn said. “You have to be very fit to do it. We lift people and we hold our breath really long sometimes.”

Caitlyn says her favorite figure to perform is the “Barracuda.”

“It’s where you thrust your legs out of the water, very out of the water, you need to have a strong core,” Caitlyn said.

Caitlyn’s coach at the MVYMCA is Svetlana Malinovskaya, who is currently in Hawaii training with an older team from the Andover/North Andover Synchro swimmers.

Caitlyn’s mother praises Malinovskaya and the coaches for what they have done for the program and athletes like Caitlyn.