Natalie Baker… A name to remember!
La Nucía schoolgirl Natalie Baker is a name gaining recognition in the sporting world. The 13-year-old is currently in Madrid training with the country’s best artistic swimmers… many will refer to the sport as synchronised swimming.
It is a combination of dance, gymnastics, swimming and elaborate moves in the water accompanied to music performed either solo, duet, or as a team. Stamina, strength, flexibility, artistry and precise timing, as well as exceptional breath control when upside down underwater are required to perform the difficult routines and Natalie certainly has all those qualities.
It has been part of the Summer Olympic programme since 1984 and the young schoolgirl is the only one to have ever been selected from the entire Valencia province, representing
Club.
Like a fish, Natalie began swimming at only 6 months old at her grandparent’s pool here. Having a natural flair – following in her father's footsteps she then started swimming lessons at the Camino Cano sports centre at the age of 5 and was able to swim an entire length underwater! In September 2014, like a duck to water, she joined the newly founded Synchro Club here, training for an hour twice a week. Initially it was just a hobby but it was quickly evident that she was something very special and in her very first competition, which took place in Castellón in June 2015, she came first. The die was cast and aged just 8, she reached the 'nivel' stage, performing in front of a panel of six judges which enabled her to compete nationally. The biggest clubs in synchro are from Barcelona, the La Nucía
Madrid, Seville and Majorca… on a par with the Premier football league, so representing a relatively unknown small club has certainly made many sit up and take note. It is truly grueling, and you have to be 110% committed. Parents Andrea and Mike are quite rightly super proud of her. Dad Mike, originally from Birmingham came to Spain in 1983 and mum Andrea, a Lancashire lass came as a Thomson rep, ten years later. Natalie and her sister Rebecca were both born in Spain and are schooled here.
In her relatively short stint, Natalie has already won 14 gold medals, seven silver and three bronze, but those achievements are through pure determination and sacrifice. She trains between 20-24 hours each and every week, fitting it around school with no leniency from submitting homework or sitting exams.
Either Mike or Andrea will drop her off at the sports centre at 16.30 where she remains until 21.00. Her time though is not all spent in the pool as there is also lots of outdoor training and gym work required to build stamina and flexibility.
The girls need strength as they have to be underwater performing moves for up to three minutes! When creating a pyramid for example, they have to balance on each other's shoulders under the water and no one, not even the base, is allowed to stand on the bottom of the pool… instead they have to tread water.
In competitions there are underwater cameras to ensure this otherwise they are disqualified. Bar her family, her biggest inspiration is coach Antia Arias, who has dedicated immeasurable time and effort to the La Nucía girls since arriving from Galicia two years ago. During her time at campus in
Madrid Natalie writes to her every day, to share anecdotes and ask for advice.
In 2018 she finished 25th out of almost 400 competitors and last year ended up 16th… this girl is going places and is in the running to represent Spain at the next Olympics!
We all wish this young lady the best of luck and look forward to reading much more about her in the future.