G.B DOWN’S SYNDROME SYNCHRO TEAM

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WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR DONATIONS THAT HELPED SEND OUR G.B. TEAM OUT TO TURO, NOVA SCOTIA CANADA

In July, the GB Down syndrome team set out to Canada for the 2018 World Down Syndrome Championships. After a day of training to prepare for the solo event, and recovering from jet lag team GB were ready to show the world what they’d been working so hard for. Molly, Vivian and Henry performed solos against the highly experienced synchronised swimmers from Italy and Argentina. With 7 entries for the solo, it was a competitive event but it was all to play for. Molly performed her solo to music from beauty and the beast and was coached by Amy Rothwell. She swam her very best to win a bronze medal which she was over the moon with. Vivian swam excellently to “can you feel the love tonight?” from the lion king which saw her come 6th against the stiff competition. Henry   Paxton, the only male synchronised swimmer with Down’s syndrome in the world to compete swam to Elton John and charmed the judges with his cheeky smile to score well amongst his competitors.

Vivian was coached by Sophie Wulfinghof and Henry was coached by Izzy Rastall.

The following day was the duet competition with 5 entries from Great Britain, Argentina and Italy. Following success at the Europeans in October where GB got gold in their duet, they swam the same routine to music from Star Wars and were delighted to achieve the bronze medal. Their duet was coached by Jenny Bates and Natalya Ferneuax. After all the successful performances, team gb were able to celebrate the following evening at the leaving party with awards and a disco. They were then travelling home with two bronze medals, happy memories and proud smiles on their faces for a well deserved summer break before training begins again in September

Thank you to Pauline Walker who made this opportunity possible by raising funds to send the swimmers and their coaches, and thank you to everyone who has donated to this cause, we really appreciate it.