The Club
The Barracuda's Artistic Swimming Club of Aruba, formerly known as the "Zwem & Waterpolo Club de Barracuda's" was founded in 1970 as a Swimming and Water Polo club. Artistic swimming was added in 1975. Nowadays, the Barracuda's is a nonprofit sports organization with the ultimate goal of preparing athletes to compete on the world stage.
The club currently consists of 30 active athletes and 15 newcomers. Athletes undergo intensive training six days a week, approximately 25 hours per week. Our training staff consists of a professional international selected coach, a full-time international club coach, and a part-time local coach. These coaches regularly attend international clinics to maintain and improve their coaching knowledge and skills so that they can continue to help athletes improve and prepare for international competitions. Supporting the coaching staff is a sports-psychologist, nutritionist, cross-trainer, and masseuse.
During the early years, when Artistic Swimming was formerly known as Water Ballet, the main focus was to give presentations and/or shows at the local hotels. There were small competitions between Aruba and Curacao, and Aruba would often travel in the region to participate in CCCAN (Confederación Centroamericana y del Caribe de Aficionados a la Natación) competitions. However, over the years the sport became more competitive and the main goal became to be able to compete internationally at the elite level.
The club consists mainly of women and 2 boys. The athletes are divided into five age-based categories:
- Beginners,
- 12 and under
- 13-15
- 16-18
- Senior Team.
There is also a group of athletes who, once a week, perform routines at a local hotel. This activity assists in the club's finances while promoting the club to the island's guests.
