>> Greeting from Hong Kong

The Canadian Junior National Team arrived safely in Hong Kong, and with just day remaining until the 10th FINA Junior Synchro Swimming World Championships, the team is getting acquainted with their new environment and looking forward to making their mark in China.

>> Memoirs of a Synchro Coach

Hello All,

We are safe and sound and enjoying our new surroundings. We are training twice a day at the Kowloon Park pool that is located in the middle of the most wonderful outdoor park space. We have a great walk through the busy streets of Kowloon, and then through the park to get back and forth to the pool each day. It is a great time for the kids and coaches to chat and take in the city around them.

Training is going very well, the girls are recovering better then expected from the flight and travel. Most are getting on a more reasonable sleep schedule and trying to feel more human. Lots of 2-3 am wake ups but they are becoming less frequent as we week wears on. The team's efforts at the pool are excellent and focused and we are very happy to be here and have the opportunity to acclimatize the hot 32 degree weather, the humidity and the time change. I know that they will continue to feel better as each day passes. Everyone's health is great- just a few expected tummy aches and headaches - but all normal and solved!

We had the chance on Wednesday to travel across to the Hong Kong Island side by ferry and then take the most magnificent bus ride "across the dragons back" to Stanley market for some bargaining. (Which by the way we are for sure the World Champions at this!!!) The views into the South China Sea where breathtaking and the girls where ooing and ahhhing at every turn of our double decker bus ride. I have attached a picture of the group on the ferry. Still lots of requests for shopping, but we will take one more day to get in a good sleep before a good shopping trip to the Women’s market on Saturday.

Food is great at the hotel- huge buffets at every meal- but of course they are quickly tiring of having every choice imaginable -so tomorrow we will head out for Italian food for dinner. They are pretty psyched for that. They have the most delicious fruit in the hotel- the best pineapple you can
imagine.

We are so thrilled to have Jen Langois along-she is so needed! All of the girls are getting great daily care and I must say she is truly the manager extraordinaire- as she was able to make us two extra figure flags in the middle of Hong Kong in less than two hours which I believe is a total record!!

Keep in touch, all is well here and we look forward to our judges arriving soon!
Thank you to everyone for your support and best wishes - will try to get more updates to you when there is time...

Julia Warren
Head Coach Synchro Canada National Junior Team
Head Coach Team Ontario Senior and Junior
Olympium Synchronized Swimming Club Junior/ Senior Coach