The Santa Clara Aquamaids are cheering that their long time veteran, Bill May is returning to the international synchronizing swimming stage after retiring from the sport 10 years ago.
May and Christina Jones will compete at the Mixed Pairs trials on Feb. 10 in Moraga, California. This is a new event in the World Synchronized Swimming championships, to be held in Kazan, Russia at the end of July. If selected, Jones and May would be joined by Kristina Lum Underwood to train in the technical and free routines, respectively. All three athletes were long-time members of the Santa Clara Aquamaids and trained under Head and Olympic Coach, Chris Carver.
The mixed pair event was initially introduced at an elite level through the pairing of Underwood and May. They won many national and international championships, but were unable to compete in the top level World Championships due to a ban on men in the sport. Although there was a push to include this event, it wasn’t until 2014 that mixed pairs finally got the nod from FINA. Now, May, Jones and Underwood will join Carver to finish the long awaited journey.
May and Jones are currently performing in the cast of Cirque de Soleil’s “O” at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Underwood performs, alongside gymnast-husband David, in the Le Reve show at the Wynn Las Vegas.
As Always, May received warm welcome and support from his fellow Aquamaids when he visited the home club, and these mean a lot to him.
“…Today, as we were finishing up duet practice, my coach Chris Carver starting playing “We are the Champions” and I started to say how much I loved that song,” May said on Facebook. “All of a sudden, out of nowhere, my club, The Santa Clara Aquamaids, surrounded the pool in their Santa Clara sweats holding signs of congratulations. It was probably one of the most special memories I will ever have. It was a sea of Red Power (my team color). The Santa Clara Aquamaids have given me so much. The spirit, pride and support my club showed me today, once again, showed me what an honor it was to be among these Champions. They are my family and my friends and I’m am forever grateful to this incredible organization. I love you Santa Clara. GO BIG RED!!!”
Santa Clara Aquamaids was founded in 1964, has a rich 50-year history and has provided msny contributions to the sport. Through generations of exceptional athletes and coaches, SCA has become the most decorated synchronized swimming club in the world.
Santa Clara Aquamaids is a non-profit organization funded primarily through a parent-volunteer organization in Santa Clara, which sponsors one of the biggest bingo centers in the South Bay area. Visit www.Aquamaidsbingo.com for more information.
Santa Clara Aquamaids also hosts various development programs, as well as summer camps in numerous locations around Silicon Valley to introduce synchronized swimming to young athletes and recreational swimmers from 7 to 11 years old. For more information, contact Coach Kendra Zanotto at kendrazanotto@gmail.com or visit Aquamaids.org or https://www.facebook.com/SantaClaraAquamaids