Harper, Aqua Sprites host synchronized swimming championship

If you’ve ever wondered what a “porpoise spinning 360” is, or wanted to see one in person, a golden opportunity awaits.

About 240 competitors from 16 states will descend on Harper College’s pool to perform that particular skill and many others next week at the 2012 North Zone Senior Synchronized Swimming Championship.

The event, a qualifying meet for the U.S. National Championships and U.S. Junior National Championships later this year in Arizona, begins at noon Thursday, March 8, and concludes at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 11, at 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine.

Entry to the competition is free and open to the public.

It’s being hosted by the Lattof YMCA Aqua Sprites Synchronized Swim Team, founded in 1972 in Des Plaines by current head coach Nan Zack. Team members hail from 13 suburbs and the city of Chicago, and range in age from 8 to 18.

“This is an opportunity for the public to experience the beauty of synchronized swimming,” Aqua Sprites parents committee President Regina Danikowski said.

Athletes will compete in solo, duet, trio and team routines, as well as a skills competition featuring figures such as the barracuda, crane and flamingo. A 13-15 Age Group Invitational also will be held.

The competition typically rotates between states, and this year the Woodfield Chicago Northwest Convention Bureau helped bring it to the region. President Dave Parulo estimated it will have a direct impact of about $50,000 for the area, on top of harder to measure expenditures such as food, gas and shopping.