People Project: Young swimmer getting in sync
Teen dedicated to sport; spends free time, up to 12 hours a week, training in the pool
As Jordyn Friedt smoothly dives into the Shaw Centre’s pool, it’s easy to forget she just turned 13.
The synchronized swimmer makes a duet routine with her partner Kiara Kroetsch look effortless.
The pair moves in perfect unison, their timing impeccable on elements that have them jumping from the water or spinning and holding their heads under as their pointed toes create a graceful picture in the air.
In her younger years, Friedt took dance lessons. She always loved the water, and by the age of eight was ready to leave dance behind and pursue synchronized swimming.
“It’s a really good sport to be a part of. It’s different and interesting,” she said.
Synchronized swimming demands strength balanced with flexibility in the body and it doesn’t come naturally to everyone. For Friedt, this sport is almost as natural as breathing.
She joined the Saskatoon Aqualenes club just four years ago and is now the top competitor in Saskatchewan in her age category.
At the Saskatchewan Winter Games in February, she won gold in all three categories she entered (figures — an individual competition — plus the duet and team events).
“We’ve been pretty successful on our team and duets,” she said.
Friedt is humble when she discusses her success.
Her pride in the water is obvious, along with her passion for synchro. She’s exuberant and full of energy, smiling often and encouraging her teammates.
A shelf in her bedroom is lined with medals and a stack of ribbons. When she doesn’t place as well as she’d like at a competition, she knows she has work to do. That may involve private coaching sessions and more time at the pool.
“I’ll try to beat the mark that I got and try to do better next time.”
She’s got her sights set on trying out for Team Saskatchewan and competing at next year’s Canada Winter Games — a position for which her coaches will be making a special request.
Friedt isn’t quite old enough to be on the team. But she’s definitely got the talent and her coaches are willing to support her quest for national exposure.
While Friedt makes synchro look effortless, it’s anything but. Imagine treading water upside down and maintaining an even buoyancy level, all while holding your breath and remembering the routine. When it’s time to pop your head back up to the surface, you’d better have a smile on your face — it all contributes to the final score.
Much of Friedt’s free time — about 12 hours a week — is spent at the pool.
It’s a big commitment for a 13-year-old. She said while it’s hard to miss out on activities with her school friends, she knows her dedication has paid off.
“If it’s a sport you really love, you’ll do it. I (have) a sport that I really enjoy. That’s what I think of when I go to practice every night.”
It helps that her Saskatoon Aqualenes coaches and teammates are like a second family.
“We’ve gotten really close over the years,” she says.
Spending so much time with the girls — training, practising, competing — has also been beneficial.
“It’s taught me a lot of discipline and teamwork … Activities at school when you have to work with a team — it’s helped me take ideas from everybody.”
Friedt loves watching synchro during the Olympics, marvelling at the swimmers’ skills. If she stays true to the root of her passion, it’s easy to imagine where that dedication will take her.
If it’s a sport you really love, you’ll do it. I (have) a sport that I really enjoy. that’s what I think of when I go to practice every night.
More than 250,000 unique citizens make up Saskatoon. Starphoenix photographer Michelle Berg and reporter Jenn Sharp share the many different ways people in the city live, work and create in The People Project, a monthly photo and video series.
Do you know someone who would make a good subject for the People Project? Email your suggestions to mberg@postmedia.com. Watch for new profiles at the beginning of each month and catch up on the collection at: thestarphoenix.com/peopleproject. twitter.com/jennksharp