At just nine years old, Ariana is beginning her journey in artistic swimming with excitement and curiosity. “This is my first year,” she shares. Inspired by her mom, who is the Head Coach of the Kamloops Sunrays, Ariana decided to give the sport a try after seeing artistic swimmers in action while she practiced diving. “Every time I was diving, I saw them artistic swimming, and I’m like, next year, I want to try that.”

What Ariana enjoys most about artistic swimming with the Kamloops Sunrays is the sense of connection it brings. “The teamwork and the friends that you make in it – it’s just really fun,” she says. This season, she’s been particularly looking forward to participating in duet competitions.

Ariana is proud of the progress she’s made, especially in improving her breath control. “At the start of the year, I could only hold it for five or ten seconds, and now I can hold it for twenty,” she explains. Meeting new friends has also been one of the highlights of her first year in the sport.

She appreciates the encouragement she gets from her coach, who she describes as “very nice and gives good feedback.” Ariana and her Sunrays teammates support each other during practices by cheering one another on. “You can do it,” she says, reflecting on the positive atmosphere they’ve built together.

Beyond artistic swimming, Ariana recently made a difference in her community by collecting items, organizing and distributing Christmas gift bags for the homeless, spreading kindness and joy during the holiday season.  She also enjoys cartwheels and simply having fun.

Through artistic swimming, Ariana has learned to be kinder to herself and to accept that mistakes are part of the process. “I can have mistakes sometimes,” she reflects. The sport has also helped her build confidence and take on new challenges. “It really challenges you, and you take big leaps when you join artistic swimming.”  Her advice for others considering the sport? “It’s really fun, and I think other kids who want to join it should join it.”