Aquadettes.

The Aquadettes are an extraordinary group of senior women who perform synchronized swimming routines. From Leisure World Laguna Woods in Laguna Hills, California, these women work year-round and train three times a week. They choreograph their own routines and make their own costumes for an annual Aqua Follies. This year's production featured 25 women, ranging in age from 55 to 84, performing a rigorous 90-minute swimming musical review to a medley of show tunes and popular hits from past decades. Recognized by Jantzen as part of the company's effort to promote fitness at every level, these women have captured the attention of national and local media. They have appeared in commercials and on CNN, the Today Show, the NBC Nightly News, and were featured in a National Geographic Magazine article exploring current research on aging. The team's activities have been of interest to news crews from Japan, China, Great Britain, Chile, and The Netherlands.

The typical Aquadette loves water, challenge, and friendships made, but most did not have prior experience with synchronized swimming. Group members often have used the energetic exercise as part of rehabilitation and recovery from everything from heart surgery to brain surgery. One Aquadette has two artificial hips and knees and an artificial shoulder.