Swimming in harmony together
story and photo by Christina Paolucci
Fort Thomas, Ky. – As the Catalinas jump into the pool, they discuss what routine to begin for their morning practice. Looking around through plugged ears, they look to Coach Mary Jane Knasel’s for swim cues.
“They call it synchronized, we’re not always synchronized, but we do our best,” says Marcia Strategier. Some of the The Catalinas have been swimming for more than 28 years. Current members include Strategier, Kay Murphy, Charlotte Vogel, Mary Mayhew, Charlotte Deupree, Lucille Bezold and coach Mary Jane Knasel.
After the Covington Y closed in 1986, the swimmers started practicing at the Campbell County YMCA in Fort Thomas. They meet twice a week and hold a public performance once a year.
“You have to used your head, listen to the music and then get your body going with the music, it is a mental and physical exercise,” said Knasel. She says that staying afloat in the water for an hour while synchronized to the music is definitely a workout.
Strategier adds that she swims mostly to have fun and to get some exercise. “I love the water, I’ve always loved the water,” she says.
A multimedia story of lifelong friends who share their perspective on days they thought would never end.
The Catalinas practice twice a week at the Cambpell County YMCA in Fort Thomas, Ky.
A video-short of five women swimming in harmony together.
Northern Kentucky edition
April, 2009
Copyright 2009
Christina Paolucci
Photographer
Issue 1