Yet another first for Sliema ASC is the introduction of Synchronised Swimming lessons at the club.

Thanks to the initiative of Akiko Miyahara, a Japanese lady who resides in Sannat, Gozo, Synchronised Swimming is now being introduced to the Maltese Islands.

Akiko has introduced two of Japan’s leading Synchronised Swimmers to Malta with the intention of teaching local children this discipline of sport.

The two swimmers presently in Malta are Saho Harada who is 27 years old and Naoko Kawashima who is 29 years old, both come from Tokyo, Japan.

Both girls have been active in the sport for 18 years and train eight hours daily in the pool and spend another four hours in the gym where they practise ballet, dancing, rhythmic gymnastics and trampoline.

Saho and Naoko teamed up as a duet for the Beijing Olympics; Naoko is the Jumper whilst Saho is the Lifter, the swimmer that enables the lift for the jump to be executed.

As one can deduce from the nature of the sport, Synchronised Swimming entails an art in itself, yet requires the strength and precision for its execution, that is perfected through the endurance of long hours of training and preparation.

Saho and Naoko took part in the 2004 Olympic Games that were held in Athens and also formed part of the Japan team that won a silver medal in Synchronised Swimming Team event.

The girls also took part in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, winning a bronze medal in the Synchronised Swimming Duet event.

After the Beijing Olympics the girls retired from competitive swimming.

The girls arrived in Malta in March, and are accompanied by Shino Oba who is their swimming manager. Saho is undertaking an eight month course in the English language at one of the island’s leading language schools, together with Shino.

The girls took the initiative to introduce Synchronised Swimming to Malta after meeting Akiko Miyahara who is the Marketing Representative at the Language school.

The girls introduced themselves by distributing information leaflets at the National Pool during waterpolo matches and the response so far has been quite good.

Initially they began by giving lessons at the National Pool; they also wanted to teach at local clubs and, with the introduction of the new floating pool, Sliema were able to provide the facilities for lessons to be given at the Edwin Meli Pool, Sliema Pitch. These take place every Tuesday and Thursday morning when 10 to 15 girls aged seven to 15 are taught the art of Synchronised Swimming by Saho and Naoko.

When asked how the girls are getting on Saho, who speaks the better English, said that the Maltese girls are good at swimming and have the potential to learn and the ability to progress.

Naoko added that the local girls have a lot of artistic ability, are keen learners and are always willing to improve.

Both admitted that Synchronised swimming is difficult and needs lot of dedication, sacrifice and training; a good ear for music is also a must whilst some of the time one has to follow the rhythm.

In other countries speakers are installed under water but in Malta the swimmers are being taught to synchronise to the music by counting the beats.

Saho finally concludes by saying that Malta needs a good coach to help those swimmers who are interested and she hopes that if there is enough response she will be able to extend her visit to Malta and continue to learn English and at the same time train the Maltese girls in Synchronised Swimming.

Maltese girls who are interested in learning more about synchronised swimming are invited to meet Saho and Naoko at the Sliema Pitch on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9.30 and 1a.m.