The Aquarelles Synchro Club

Nothing like arriving at the pool, mentally prepared to hit your hybrids, count your beats, and perfect your duet…

…only to discover the pool has other choreography planned.

Today’s routine: “The Empty Pool.”
Difficulty: 10.0
Ex*****on: nonexistent.

No other choice but to pivot & make the landrill session count!

✨ COACH SPOTLIGHT: Gabrielle Zabriskie✨

Get to know the coach behind the Aquarelles! From being discovered in a grocery store as a child to representing Canada and becoming a professional synchronized swimmer at SeaWorld, her journey in artistic swimming is pretty incredible!

🧜‍♀️How did you get into artistic swimming?

I always swam, but I officially started synchronized swimming at 11 years old—thanks to a chance encounter at the grocery store!

The head coach at my local synchro club spotted me and promised herself that if she crossed paths with my mom and me a third time, she would ask if I was a swimmer. Apparently, I had “swimmer’s legs!”

Sure enough, we crossed paths for the third time, she stopped us, and we started chatting. My mom and I thought it was hilarious—and I had never even heard of synchro!

We did some research and discovered that I had actually been doing “synchro” in my backyard pool my entire life! Even more incredibly, the coach who stopped us was a well-known sports celebrity in Quebec City and on the international synchronized swimming scene. We called her back, and I started the following weekend!

Being a strong swimmer and naturally flexible, I progressed quickly and joined the high school synchronized swimming program, which was the national circuit program for athletes in the city.

From there, things really took off. At one point, I was training 36 hours a week, in and out of the water, competing in multiple routines at national and international levels while representing Quebec or Canada.

High school and early college were a busy blur as I set my sights on eventually becoming a professional synchronized swimmer. I developed a strong artistic style and an ease with choreography and movement. I also discovered that I absolutely loved coaching young athletes. I eventually ran the youth and development program, working with 60–100 athletes.

Then came the opportunity that changed my life: a job offer to become a professional synchronized swimmer at SeaWorld San Antonio. That was 15 years ago… and I’m still here!

🧜‍♀️What is your highest level of competition & greatest achievement?

I was part of the Canadian Team in 2005, competing at the first-ever 15-and-under category at the Comen Cup in Greece.

It was my favorite trip and competition, and being part of Canada’s first 15-and-under team at that event is something I’m incredibly proud of.

For a couple of years, I also had the highest score in Canada for the Ariana figure—and I still take a lot of pride in that! That figure was basically everything I was good at: splits, back flexibility, and shoulder flexibility!

🧜‍♀️What professional roles have you held?

I was a professional synchronized swimmer at SeaWorld San Antonio from 2011–2015.

🧜‍♀️What inspired you to create the Aquarelles in 2014?

There was a lack of synchronized swimming opportunities for young athletes in San Antonio, despite having a collegiate synchro team. I also had a very clear vision for how I wanted my team to feel and be, so I decided to create a new team.

Palo Alto College’s pool management was incredibly generous and allowed us to make their pool deck our home for many years. That was fantastic—especially considering how difficult it is to find pool time and space today!

🧜‍♀️What are important values you try to instill in your athletes?

It should be fun! Everyone works so hard, so cheer for your sisters and support each other.

Artistic swimming has such a broad vocabulary of skills and techniques, and it is constantly evolving and improving. Stay curious. Stay open-minded. Keep learning.

🧜‍♀️How do you value success beyond winning national competitions?

Success is about personal growth and accomplishment. It’s about where you started and where you are now. It’s about the work you put in, the walls you broke down, and the challenges you overcame. It’s about feeling trusted by your team and knowing they’ve got your back.

It’s about giving your all and allowing yourself to feel proud and accomplished. And it’s about being able to give yourself some grace and gentle feedback when you need it—so you can turn around, keep working, and continue moving toward your goals.

Success isn’t just about the medal. It’s about the journey, the people beside you, and the person you become along the way.

💕Thank you coach Gabby for everything you've taught us both in & out of the pool. Your passion, dedication & countless contributions to artistic swimming have made such a lasting impact on all of us. We are so grateful for the knowledge, inspiration & love for the sport you have shared with so many over the years!💕

Dear Pools of America,

We appreciate your concern for our ability to breathe.

But if you could kindly stop putting up signs prohibiting breath holding, that would be great.

Sincerely,

Artistic swimmers who are beginning to feel personally attacked 😂

Nothing can take you out mid practice like a surprise debilitating leg cramp. Getting one of those mid routine during a performance is what nightmares are made of!

What’s your go-to strategy for preventing or stopping those “OMG MY CALF!” cramps during practice?

Bananas? Extra sodium? Electrolytes? Or are you one of those brave souls reaching for pickle juice?

Share your secret! 👇 We’re taking note

We had a fantastic workout today, plenty of laughs, and even a special surprise—a familiar visitor we hadn't seen in quite some time stopped by to say hello! It’s also so fun to see young faces from the next generation of artistic swimmers come cheer us on!

Days like today remind us that artistic swimming is about so much more than routines—it's about friendship, community, and sharing our passion with others. We can't wait for the next practice!

Well… this is awkward.
Guess this sign wasn’t written with The Aquarelles in mind—it must have been meant for everyone else! 😜