We launched our synchro part of the club in February 2014.

At the World Down’s Syndrome Championships in Italy in 2012, Synchronised swimming was introduced in competition for the first time. The idea came to Pauline that as The Electric Eels already was a club for people with Down’s Syndrome why not introduce synchro. Having known The Reading Royals Synchronised Swimming Club for many years, she mentioned her idea to Di Hughes who is a synchro coach and ASA competitive judge. She was really interested and said she would help on Saturday evenings, and bring some synchro volunteers to help in the water. This part of the club runs straight after the swimming part of the club.

As we are the only club in the country, we represent Great Britain at The European’s and World Championships for people with Down’s Syndrome. We have been to The World championships in Italy, and Canada, and the Europeans in Paris & Sardinia.  We have won medals at all of these championships.

Pauline was friends with Tom Liz & Eleanor Murray from Ireland, & Eleanor wanted to start Synchro swimming, so between us all we started the first Down’s Team in Ireland. Once a year we either travel to Ireland or they come to England to have synchro training camps, giving both teams a chance to work with other swimmers with D.S.  This helps the teams to improve in artistic swimming skills, land training, independence training, but also meeting new/old friends & having a lovely social time as well.