According to a story in the December 7, 1971 Twig, the first synchronized swimming classes at Meredith College started in the fall when 13 freshmen were shut out of the existing physical education classes. Apparently, Coach/Advisor Carol Brown stepped in and created this class. None of the students had any prior experience with the activity, but by the end of the semester, they unexpectedly found themselves in a public performance of a single choreographed routine.
This led to an explosion of interest on the campus. Two years later, there were 45 women participating in either the beginner’s class or the club. Having learned basic skills in the beginner’s class, students could try out for a place in the performance club. Those auditioning for the club had to demonstrate both their swimming proficiency and the skills required to perform the synchronized moves, including sculling, ballet leg, walkover, barracuda, and dolphin. In 1994, Advisor Carol Brown listed the qualities she considered necessary for a good synchronized swimmer: strong swimming capability, gymnastic aptitude and an ability to interpret music.
In 1973, when it appeared that synchronized swimming was to continue on campus, the club was named the “Floating Angels.” A year later, the team was re-named the “Aqua Angels.”
The Aqua Angels program, while not a unique activity on a college campus, was rare in North Carolina. In the early years, the Aqua Angels occasionally participated in workshops with the Duke Nereidians and with the St. Mary’s College Sea Saints. The Meredith College club was not formed to compete with peer groups but was purely a performance troop.
Between 1971 and 2011, dozens of Meredith college students participated in synchronized swimming performances that took place twice a year: a Fall or Christmas show, then a spring show that often coincided with a spring festival, Parent’s Weekend, Little Friend’s Weekend or Hospitality Weekend. Occasionally, the Aqua Angels were asked to perform at other local pools for a special occasion. In preparation for these events, the swimmers practiced twice a week to develop their skills, selected the music to fit that semester’s theme, and choreographed the routine. While occasionally a piece would feature a solo artist, swimmers usually performed in teams of two or more with a finale featuring the entire team. In 1973, Coach Fran Vandiver praised the sport’s “perfect timing, total group coordination, and gracefulness.” Eventually, the performance came to include a lighting and sound coordinator and a narrator to introduce the theme, the music and the athletes. Many of the performances were recorded and are available for viewing in the college’s archives.
The Aqua Angels last appeared in yearbook in 2011.
Many of the performances by the Aqua Angels are available on DVD in the Meredith College Archives.
Performances of the Aqua Angels were choreographed in solo, small group and whole team routines. Four Aqua Angels pose poolside prior to a performance in the 1970s.
The spring 1975 Aqua Angels show was titled, "Animal Crackers in my Soup." Donations at the presentation were sent to the North Carolina Zoo to help acquire a giraffe for the park.
A view of a swimming formation from above.
Aqua Angels lift their teammate in an advanced synchronized swimming move.
Aqua Angels show featured presentations by several teams. Each team chose their music that fit the overall theme and choreographed the sequence of moves. Numbers often began with a poolside preamble.
Costumes for performances reflected the selected music and often the show's theme.
Participating in the Aqua Angels performances required taking the synchronized swimming class, where the athletes learned moves such as the "Ballet Leg."
The photographer captured this athlete mid-emergence from the water.
Carlyle Campbell Library
Meredith College
3800 Hillsborough St.
Raleigh, NC 27607
919-760-8532
