Synchronized swimming at Oak Park and River Forest High School has been around since 1928, when the school first built its two pools. This nearly century-old tradition continues  May 8, 9 and 10 with the synchronized swimming team’s annual show.

The team will perform moves they have not only practiced in the water, but in the fieldhouse too. There they “land drill,” or rehearse and refine certain parts of routines on the ground that they will eventually present in the pool, as well as talk, laugh and create lifelong bonds. 

When asked about the most enjoyable part of synchronized swimming, Katherine Bromley, first year assistant coach and OPRF alum, quickly answered: “The community. It’s a really joyful place to be.” That holds true for her time as a participant and a coach, she added. “It’s a very accepting kind of community.”  

This year’s performance, titled “Syncro Finds Love,” will be held at the West Pool. The 14-member team will tell a story through their movements, accompanied by eight songs, including “Rolling the Deep” by Adele and “Somebody to Love” by Queen. 

According to Margaret Dean, a senior who has been on the team for the past two years, the first half is about falling in love. However, the second half focuses on falling out of love, with songs about self-empowerment and a little anger. 

Junior newcomer Noelle Wollert expressed her exhilaration about the show, saying, “We’re going to have different costumes for different songs, lights and I am really excited to be there with the team to just watch everyone perform and what they have been working on since January.”

The students play a central role in putting together the show. In the second half of the season, after open swim sessions where students can grasp a feel for synchronized swimming, the work on the show begins in earnest. Everybody pitches ideas for possible themes, which are put to a vote. 

The eight returnees from last year worked together to choreograph parts of the show and choose the songs used. Within the show, there are group routines comprised of swimmers from the whole group. “It’s definitely more collaborative,” said Dean.

While partner routines that utilize complex skills and movement may sound exciting, they can also be daunting. Since there are only two people, “there is a lot more communication involved, and for me personally there is a little more pressure because you want to make sure everything is so seamless,” said Dean, who is in the show’s only duet.

 “Our goal is for what we do to look really easy in the water, but it is very challenging,” said head coach Martha Socki, now in her ninth year with the team. “Their muscles are engaged at all points and times, even when they’re just floating there. We have to do a lot of stretching, weightlifting and ab work to be able to get strong enough to do the things in the pool.” 

While it is crucial to have good swimming skills, instead of the freestyle or backstroke, synchronized swimmers use less conventional methods, such as egg beating and sculling (where one moves their hands and forearms back and forth to propel themselves and even go upside down).  

Even though the fundamentals of synchronized swimming can be difficult, according to another first year assistant coach and OPRF alum Meg Volz, this year’s team is excelling in the water. “Our beginners are executing really complex, difficult moves,” she said. “They are so committed, enthusiastic. And the returners have really taken newcomers under their wing.”

Volz said what’s special and appealing about synchronized swimming is that it is open to all OPRF students with no experience necessary. 

The team itself has expanded a lot—this year’s 14 members is four more than usual. Socki said she hopes to continue to “increase the awareness of the team in the school, the visibility, so we can continue to get more people to come in the future.”

Volz added that anybody interested in joining the team for future performances can contact her at [email protected]. She also suggested attending a synchronized swimming summer course at Wright College, which many members of the team attend.

This year’s show  will be at 8 p.m. on May 8, at 7 p.m. on May 9 and at both 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.  on May 10. Tickets are $7 dollars for adults, $5 for students and free for children 5 and below along with senior citizens.