The Arizona Desert Gems is a recreational synchronized swim team and has been successful in all age groups, from the youngest swimmers to the Masters team. The swimmers practice approximately nine hours every week and are dedicated to improve in this sport. Year in and year out, ADG swimmers have placed at the State, Regional and National level in meets and figure competitions. We have a great time and have become a diverse family with common goals.

OBJECTIVES:

Throughout participation and competition in the sport of synchronized swimming, swimmers have the opportunity to:

Enjoy a sport that is simultaneously athletic and artistic.
Engage in regular vigorous program of physical and rhythmic conditioning and exercise.
Participate in an activity that requires and teaches determination and discipline, but at the same time results in a constructive use of leisure time, is fun, and increases social skills and character development.
Attain the educational and cultural benefits, which accrue as a result of traveling throughout Arizona and the United States.
Acquire the skills and the knowledge for possible use as a vocational endeavor in later life.

GOALS:

To develop fundamental and technical skills necessary to compete successfully at local, state and national levels.
To realize the value of participation in team and individual competitions.
To accept the responsibility of a continuing commitment.

History

Arizona Desert Gems was founded in 1988 by Barbara Barnett, although the team was called the Arizona In-Synch Synchronized Swim Team at that time. The team started with just six swimmers and practiced at the Metro Tech pool in downtown Phoenix. By the fall of 1988, the team had doubled in size and was practicing at several Glendale locations, including Glendale Community College, Arrowhead Country Club and any other pool that could be booked! Many of our early swimmers came from the City of Glendale Parks and Recreation program until that city-funded program was cut due to budget cuts.

After the move to Glendale, the swimmers voted on the current team name, Arizona Desert Gems. The colors, emerald green and amethyst purple, were chosen to go along with the Gems logo. The team’s first logo was a fish because it was easier to draw than the gem on the sweats and T-shirts which the girls hand painted during the first year. The current gem logo with the three girls was designed by one of our former parents, Dorothy Dunion.

In December 1988, Jane, the ADG head coach, was moving to Tucson, so Barbara Barnett contacted Sue Cox and asked if she could help out coaching ADG until a new coach could be found. She thankfully agreed and has been our head coach ever since. Sue was inducted into the University of Arizona Hall of Fame for Synchro in 2003.

By 1992, ADG was practicing primarily at Arrowhead Country Club, but this facility was filing for bankruptcy and was scheduled to close. As luck would have it, the aquatics director at Moon Valley Country Club had seen ADG perform to the National Anthem at the opening of a swim meet and invited ADG to become apart of their swim program. In 2012, ADG made a move back to the Glendale Community College facility where they share the pool with the Arizona Swimming Gauchos.

Today, ADG swimmers travel throughout Arizona and across the United States competing in State, Regional and National level meets and performing shows. ADG swimmers have participated in the Jr. Olympic Nationals, Age Group Nationals, Masters Nationals, US Opens, FINA World Masters, and have qualified and participated in the USA Synchro Talent ID program. In 2010, Arizona Desert Gems saw their first National Title with the 18-19 Age Group Trio! Some ADG alumni have also been involved in collegiate programs, including Wheaton College and the University of the Incarnate Word. Over the years, hundreds of girls have benefited from their experience of learning synchronized swimming and from the friendships and camaraderie they have shared.