The Walnut Creek Aquanuts are a USSSI (United States Synchronized Swimming, Inc) swim team.  The mission of the Walnut Creek Aquanuts is to provide a program that builds both bodies and minds, and instills skills that serve our swimmers for a lifetime.  Our rigorous comprehensive training teaches young women to maintain a healthy lifestyle through proper nutrition, self-discipline, and commitment to their sport.  The WCA athletes learn the importance of individual effort, integrity, and compassion which fosters sportsmanship and teamwork.  These athletes serve the community as role models who demonstrate that the avoidance of alcohol and other drugs lead to success.  The WCA is a world renowned synchronized swimming training center that attracts athletes locally, nationally, and internationally.  Home to 13 Olympians (8 gold medalists), we have come a long way since 1968 when we began with 2 swimmers.  Currently four of our 60 athletes have been chosen for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Synchronized Swimming Team,  and our executive director, Tammy McGregor has been named the Head Coach for this 2008 Olympic Team.  WCA continues to fulfill its mission to instill excellence and develop outstanding athletes while continuing to give back to the community through its programs and activities.

History

In 1968 Sue Ahlf started the Walnut Creek Aquanuts (WCA) with 2 swimmers, one of them her daughter, Gail, thus launching a legacy of excellence.  Today a much larger Aquanuts are 12-time National Champions with over 200 national and world titles, consistently placing on U.S. National Teams and Olympic training Squads.  In 1992, Aquanuts Karen Josephson and Kristen Babb-Sprague, and Sara Josephson claimed gold medals in solo and duet at the Olympic Games in Barcelona.  Coached by Gail Emery, Sue Ahlf's daughter, the WCA represented the U.S. at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta and brought home 6 Olympic gold medals for the team competition.  In 1998 Gail Emery was inducted into the Women's Sports Foundation Hall of Fame, the first person given this honor for synchronized swimming.  In 2004, WCA Coach/Swimmer Gina Pietras was named to the U.S. Olympic training squad and former Aquanuts Becky Jasontek, Tammy Crow and Erin Dobratz were appointed to the 2004 Olympic Team and competed in Athens.  In 2008, the 40th Anniversary of the WCA, four of our athletes, Becky Kim, Annabelle Orme, Kim Probst, and Jillian Penner will compete at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing China as part of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Synchronized Swimming Team.  Our head coach, Tammy McGregor, will coach them.

Activities and Programs

This year, the Walnut Creek Aquanuts will participate in a number of activities and programs both here in Walnut Creek and across the United States.  Our older athletes will travel to Las Vegas, Nevada for the West Zone Meet;  Clermont, Florida for the Junior Nationals;  Tucson, Arizona for Senior Nationals; and Cleveland, Ohio for the US Open National Championship.  Our younger swimmers in the 11-12 and 13-15 age groups will travel to Binghamton, New York for the U.S. Age Group Synchronized Swimming Championship as well as other local competitions in California.  In June, our annual fundraiser "Night of Champions" will celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the WCA, and will feature all our swim teams, plus a special performance by the 2008 U.S. Olympic Synchronized Team.  These exceptional athletes will then move on to compete at the Summer Games in Beijing, China.  In June, WCA will launch its annual summer training program for newly recruited synchronized swimmers.  Last year we had a record number of trainees, 22.  Half of these have joined the club this year.  Following this, WCA will present to the community the annual Fall Swim Show that features all our teams.  It is a very special event for the trainees that graduate from our summer training program, as it is their first public performance as synchronized swimmers.

Nationally recognized as a leader in the training of elite synchronized swimmers, the Walnut Creek Aquanuts (WCA) is the home of 8 Olympic gold medalists. Since our beginning in 1968 we have been at the forefront of our sport. We are 12-time National Champions and winners of over 200 national and world titles. Located in beautiful Walnut Creek, California, USA, the Walnut Creek Aquanuts Synchronized Swimming Team has nearly 60 swimmers of all ages participating in regional, national and international competitions. Travel, meeting athletes from across the nation and around the world and making lifelong friends are all part of the WCA experience. We train 10 months out of the year and compete world-wide year round. We have programs to fit every phase of training from novice to national and world champion competition. We are always looking for talented youth with a love of music and water sports to join our team. All you need is a cap, goggles and nose clip, and the ability to swim the basic strokes across a 25 yard pool. For more information about recruitment and training click here.
 

History of the Walnut Creek Aquanuts

In 1968 Sue Ahlf started the Walnut Creek Aquanuts (WCA) with 2 swimmers, one her daughter Gail, and began a legacy of excellence. Today a much larger Aquanuts are 12-time National Champions with over 200 national and world titles, consistently placing on U.S. National Teams and U.S. Olympic Training Squads.

2000 Olympians Heather Pease-Olson and Tammy Cleland-McGregor   1996 Olympic Gold Medalists Tammy Cleland, Jill Savery, Margot Thien Heather Pease, Nathalie Schneyder   1992 Olympic Gold Medalists Karen Josephson, Kristen Babb-Sprague, Sarah Josephson

The 90's In 1992 Aquanuts Karen Josephson, Kristen Babb-Sprague, and Sarah Josephson claimed gold medals in solo and duet at the Olympic Games in Barcelona. The Contra Costa Times proclaimed, "Welcome to Walnut Creek, California, the Synchronized Swimming Capital of the World". In 1996, five Aquanuts, Tammy Cleland, Jill Savery, Margot Thien, Heather Pease and Nathalie Schneyder won gold medals for the U.S. National Team at the Pan Am Games in Argentina and World Cup Competition in Atlanta. They achieved unprecedented perfect scores from all judges in both artistic impression and technical merit. Coached by Gail Emery, Sue Ahlf's daughter, they represented the U.S. at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta and came home with Olympic Gold. In 1998 Gail Emery was inducted into the Women's Sports Foundation Hall of Fame, the first person inducted for synchronized swimming. That year Gail retired from the Aquanuts to accept the head coach position for synchronized swimming at Stanford University. The Aquanuts were coached by Gail Pucci from 1998-2002; Pucci holds more national titles than any other U.S. swimmer in the history of the sport. In 2003 Tammy Cleland-McGregor, a two-time Olympian herself, assumed the position of Head Coach for the Walnut Creek Aquanuts. Beyond the Millennium In 2000 the International Swimming Hall of Fame recognized Gail Emery for outstanding achievements as a synchronized swimming coach. Olympic Gold Medalists Heather Pease-Olson and Tammy Cleland-McGregor garnered spots on the U.S. Olympic Team and competed at the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia in duet and team. 2002 was the team's most successful season ever with a combined total of 20 National titles. WCA teams swept the US Open and Age Group Championships and won the team and duet events at the French Open in Paris. That season the club took home 192 gold, 158 silver and 89 bronze medals. Laura LaCursia (2002) and Lianne Cameron (2003) received the prestigious Age Group Developmental Coach of the Year Award and Founder Sue Ahlf was recognized with the Paragon Award by United States Synchronized Swimming. In 2003 the Aquanuts garnered the High Point Trophy at the U. S. Junior Championships. WCA Coach/Swimmer Gina Pietras was named to the U.S. Olympic Training Squad and former Aquanuts Becky Jasontek, Tammy Crow and Erin Dobratz were appointed to the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team, bringing home bronze medals. Each year the Aquanuts consistently place swimmers onto the junior and senior U.S. National Teams, and 2004 was no exception. Last year 3 Aquanut trained athletes were on the Senior U.S. National Team II and 2 were on the U.S. Junior National Team. WCA Head Coach, Tammy McGregor, coached the 2004 Junior National Team, earning 2 silver medals and 1 bronze medal. This elite group of athletes will not doubt continue their history of success in 2005, with 8 Aquanut trained athletes already qualified for U.S. National Teams.

Sue Ahlf - Founder 1968-1978

Gail Emery 1978-1998

Gail Pucci 1998-2002

Laura Lacursia 2002-2003

Tammy McGregor 2002-2007

Gina Pietras 2007-2008

Kim Probst 2008-Present

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