The Northern Novas synchronized swimming club wrapped up their busy winter season with a non-competitive water show Saturday.

The squad performed eight routines that they prepared for the season and competed with outside the territory.

It was an eye-opener for the team, head coach Aura-Lea Harper as the athletes competed at the Canadian Synchronized Swimming Qualifiers in Calgary with high-calibre talent from across the country.

Harper said the meet was a great learning opportunity for the Novas as it was larger and more competitive than anything they’ve been to in the past.

“It was a good thing for them to see what’s out there,” she said after the water show Saturday. “It was an awesome experience for the team and I hope we go to more.”

At the end of March competition, the team received attention from Calgary media through 16-year-old Camron Maguire. Maguire was the sole male competitor of the 445 athletes in the competition.

Maguire said he wasn’t sure if he would even be able to attend the national qualifier because he would be the only male competitor, but the junior male division was added and he was able to compete along with his teammates. After starting with the Novas four years ago, Maguire said he has fallen in love with the sport and wants to stay in it for a long time

“It’s fun. I am a shy person so I can express myself, but I feel covered by the water and people can still see so it’s kind of nice for both,” he said.

About being covered by the media while in Calgary, Maguire said it was an interesting experience.

“It’s different, that’s for sure,” he said about the fame.

Maguire competed in the solo tech and solo free competitions. He was one of seven athletes who represented the Yukon at the qualifiers. Competing in the 16-18 division, Maguire performed his season solo to “New Blood” by Zayde Wolf to close out the Spring Water Show to resounding applause from the audience.

Less than a month after the national-level experience, the team travelled to Richmond, B.C. for the Mable Moran Championships, which Harper said is an annual trip for the team.

“It was funny coming from nationals to Richmond because it’s kind of a recreational meet. The team did awesome. We love that meet and go to it every single year almost,” she said.

In the 11-12 age group figures competition, Hanna Wallace placed sixth out of 21 competitors. Teammate Mia Maguire placed 15th. Maguire competed in the division’s solo competition.

In the duet competition, Wallace paired with Mia Houde and their routine to a Greased Lightning theme scored 47.33, finishing ahead of the only other team in their division.

In the 13-15 division, Ella Laliberty placed 10th in the figures portion of the competition, testing the skills and techniques of the swimmers individually.

Laliberty paired with Amelia Frey in the duet competition placing fifth with a score of 51.6083. The Northern Novas pair of Sara King and Chloe Wright finished just ahead of their teammates with a score of 51.8250.

Helene Maguire was the solo competitor in the age group with her routine to “Makeba” by Jain. The Novas also had a team of six swimmers in this competition performing to a “Bollywood theme.”

With the water show putting a wrap on the season, Harper said there won’t be too much of a break for the team as they look ahead to the 2019 Canada Games in February.

“It’s time, they need a break. But we’re going to start our summer swimming in May here,” she said. “Just to keep them training.”

As the only synchronized swimming club in the Yukon, the team will get to attend the Games without further qualification.

“We like to be at that level,” Harper said of the continued training throughout the summer.

The other routines performed at the water show included the young recreational Dippers Team with a “Moana theme,” Mia Maguire performing a solo to “On Top of the World” by Imagine Dragons, Laliberty and Frey with their “Jazz theme” duet, and King and Wright performed their duet to “Havana” by Camila Cabello.