Anita Alvarez
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Check out our Q&A with Anita:
1. How did you first become interested in synchronized swimming?
My mom grew up doing the sport and was a coach throughout my childhood years. So I grew up on the side of the pool and traveling with her to competitions. My parents gave me the opportunity to try out many different sports growing up but ultimately fell in love with artistic swimming. I loved the mixed of art and sport and I loved how unique it was. The team aspect of the sport drew me in and the fact that not a lot of people do it and not a lot of people CAN do also made it more interesting to me. It’s a combination of so many different skills and talents that it made me feel the most well rounded of any other sport I had done.
2. What has been your most memorable experience competing in artistic swimming?
2024 World Championships in Doha, Qatar this past February. It was our team’s last chance qualifier for the Paris Olympics and we had faced so many hurdles and challenges shortly before and even during the competition. But our team was so strong and united and the mental fortitude that we showed together made that moment of qualifying (the first team for the U.S. since 2008) that much more special. We proved to ourselves that this is so much more than a physical game and that the mental side of sport is SO important. We took every challenge and attacked it with a positive mindset and made the most of every situation. On top of that, we also came out of it with 2 world medals (bronze) and a 2nd place finish overall which was a great place to be with the games being only a few months later.
3. What are your ambitions in artistic swimming for 2024 and beyond?
My goal for the 2024 Olympics was to have another positive Olympic experience in Paris. It was my 3rd Olympics but my 1st time competing in the team event, so I was very excited to do this with an entire group of athletes and coaches this time around. We were very focused on the controllables and staying within our “bubble.” Focusing on our process and trusting the work we had put in these past years. Not overly focused on a specific outcome goal because there is a lot that is out of our control, but rather aiming to have our personal best performances. 1% better every day. And in the end, we had our best performance of the year, and best result for our country in 28 years!
In the future beyond 2024, I hope to represent USA on the world stage in the solo event again and have ambitions to reach the podium in the individual event. But more so than any result, I hope to make a change in the solo event by performing unique choreography that captures people’s attention and shows why ARTistic swimming has the word “art” in it.
Beyond that… I also aspire to participate in a hometown Olympics in LA 2028. Whether I make it that far as an athlete, become a coach, commentator, or in some other capacity… that would be such a dream to experience!
4. Who has been a major influence or inspiration in your sporting journey?
Our head coach, Andrea Fuentes. I grew up watching Team Spain and her solos on YouTube and always loved the way they swam and their choreographies. I was in shock when we were told she would be our new head coach starting in 2018 and the best part is she’s not only a legend in the sport from the athlete side, she’s also an amazing person and leader for our team. She cares about us as humans more than just artistic swimmers and has helped me grow so much over the past few years. From idol, to head coach, to mentor, I feel I learn more and more from her every single day.
5. What unique challenges do you find in artistic swimming that people may not know about?
One of the most difficult things is how much you have to focus on at all times. You have a different move every count and each move has a different angle it needs to be at or way you have to do it. If it’s not done exactly the correct way or on the exact count of the music, you won’t be in synch with the rest of your teammates. You have to count and keep the rhythm of the music, you have to hold your place in “pattern” with your teammates and in relation to the rest of the pool (we also can’t wear goggles when we compete), you have to think of all of your corrections for each movement in the moment while going from above water to upside down. It’s physically demanding because you are holding your breath for about 75% of the routine while exerting maximum effort, yet our job is to perform and make it look “effortless” so no matter how tired we are, when our head is above the surface, we need to look like we could do it all day (even though our muscles are burning like crazy). Oh… and we can’t touch the bottom of the pool the entire time or else we get a penalty!
6. What is a typical training day like for you?
During the season, we typically train 6am-2:30pm Monday-Saturday. Most days we will start in the gym doing strength and conditioning, gymnastics/acrobatic training, flexibility work, or breath-work. The rest of the time will be spent in the pool. We’ll spend the time on technique work and fitness physical conditioning of each routine.
After leaving the pool, most of us either go to work or school. Physical Therapy/Treatment, prepare our meals, etc. In the evening I spend time focusing on recovery and video analysis for the next day.
7. If you could give one piece of advice to someone new to artistic swimming, what would it be?
I would say to make sure you start with the basics. Just like in everything you do. It can seem boring, but we all come back to the basics and if you don’t start with a solid foundation of basic technique… it’ll be hard to learn more intricate moves down the road.
Don’t get frustrated if you struggle with some of the basics. It’s a very difficult sport, and just needs consistent effort and things will come over time. I STILL find myself getting stuck on some basic skills at times.
8. Besides artistic swimming, what other outdoor activities do you enjoy?
I love everything outdoors. I live close to the ocean so I love taking walks to the beach for the sunset. Swimming in the ocean, surfing, biking, running, rollerblading, hiking… anything outdoors and/or in nature I love to enjoy when I am not in the pool training.
9. In what ways has Beet It Sport impacted your training and performance?
Beet It Sport has played a key role in my performance in the pool and recovery outside of it.
After a health scare/near death drowning experience back at the 2022 world championships, I went through many health screenings and doctors visits to solve the fainting episodes I had been having.
Finding nothing major but several smaller causes, I worked closely with my nutritionist to find a solution going forward. She suggested I try Beet It Sport for a number of reasons, but the way the nitric oxide could help increase blood flow and oxygen supply to my muscles was something that caught my attention. Especially being in a sport that requires us to hold our breath for long durations while performing at max efforts. I’ve found Beet It Sport to really increase my performance and delay the fatigue.
I’ve recently also implemented the Beet It Regen Cherry recovery shot to help aid in my recovery throughout long competitions that are multiple days long!
10. How did you hear about Beet It Sport?
I first heard about Beet It Sport from my team nutritionist who said it could be great to implement into my competition routine as an ergogenic aid.
We’re incredibly proud to have Anita Alvarez as part of the Beet It Sport family. Her dedication, resilience, and passion for artistic swimming and life inspire us all. Connect with Anita on IG