Synchro Star Julia Maclean Honoured with Special Award at Lisa Alexander Figures Competition 2010

During a special ceremony held at the Canada Games Aquatic Centre in London, ON, Durham Synchro’s acclaimed synchronized swimmer, Julia Maclean, was forever immortalized with the Julia Maclean Award donated to the Lisa Alexander Figures Competition. On December 4-5, 2011 athletes from various parts of Southern Ontario came to London to compete in this annual Figures competition. Unveiled as part of the retinue of awards to be granted during this meet, the Julia Maclean award will be bestowed to a synchronized swimmer who demonstrated the skills that Julia herself exhibited throughout her illustrious  synchronized swimming career. Inscribed with the following message, “Presented to the athlete who demonstrates outstanding dedication and passion to the sport of synchronized swimming.” this special trophy is a testament to the career and reputation Julia has built within the synchronized swimming world.

Provincial Trials 2011
Julia Maclean performing a Solo routine

Julia’s synchronized swimming career began at the age of seven and today Julia continues to be an active competitor but has added coaching to her swimming resume. As a multiple award winning provincial and national level synchronized swimmer Julia has received top awards in solo, duet and team categories. Her list of credentials and top awards is extensive including being named Athlete of the Year from 2008-2010, by Synchro Swim Ontario as a National Stream Award recipient. Julia has also been a member of the Canadian National Junior Synchro Team and in 2008 had the opportunity to try out for the Canadian Olympic team headed toward the 2012 London Olypmic Games. Forgoing this opportunity to attend university, Julia continues to flourish as a student and athlete.

Lisa Alexander Synchronized Swimming Competition 2010
The NEW Julia Maclean Award

With a solid understanding about what it means to be an accomplished athlete, Julia imparts her wisdom and experience upon those swimmers she coaches. Currently, she is an award winning Durham Synchro Club National level solo and team coach. Coaching DSC’s 13-15 Yr Old National team in solo, duet and team divisions for this age group, Julia has had an entirely new set of challenges set in before her. Her teams have reached top podium rankings in each competition they have faced, garnering them respect amongst their peers. Julia’s youngest protégé, DSC’s 10 & under Provincial level swimmer, soloist Alicia Lopers, is an up and coming gold medal winner. Her pupils will attest to the dedication Julia exhibits to this water sport as well as her enthusiasm and determination to encourage the athletes she coaches to perform to their maximum potential, never allowing them to believe that they are anything less. On deck, Julia’s voice projects across the pool, bellowing suggestions and corrections to those she is coaching. With what seems like limitless energy, Julia is quick with a smile and supportively stern with advice to her swimmers that she knows have just that little bit more to give.

Balancing a competitive synchro career with other aspects in the life of a 20 something young woman isn’t always easy, however, Julia continues inspire the swimmers she has taken under her wing as well as her peers. Her fluid movements in the pool, strong character and ambition are all characteristics of a woman who will be successful in all her endeavours. To be acknowledged with trophy bearing her name that graces the trophy case alongside that of Lisa Alexander is a special form of respect. Considering this, the Julia Maclean award recipient is also paying a special tribute as she has been publically recognized for displaying the attributes of a woman and athlete who has positively influenced the sport of synchronized swimming in ways that will be felt for years to come.