EIGHT members of the Synchro Stars Jamaica are scheduled to leave the island on Wednesday to compete at the April 9-10 Central California Association and Pacific Association Intermediate Championships and Seaside Novice/Age Group Invitational in the United States.

The local synchronised swimming athletes accepted the invitation after the event was scrapped for Carifta 2011 because only host country Barbados and Jamaica had entered a team.

Synchro Stars head coach Carrie Reynolds, who also guides the national synchronised swimming team, said she welcomes the opportunity to expose the athletes to high level competition.

“Our objective for this meet is exposure, for the athletes to see the high level of competition and give them inspiration for the level athlete they aspire to become. I am fortunate to be poolside coaching with the top coaches in the US and through the clinics we will be attending I will be able to bring back new coaching techniques to Jamaica,” she said.

She added: “Medalling at this competition is not our purpose we are going to learn and to grow; bringing back ribbons and medals would be a bonus for us.”

The United States-based Cypress Swim Club, who was one of the invited teams at last year’s Jamaica International Synchronised Swimming Championship, is the event organiser.

At the meet, athletes will also be exposed to a new three-part scoring system, which has been implemented by aquatic sports governing body, FINA.

Local synchronised swimming judge Diahann Campbell will also get a taste of the new system, which is set to be used at the 2012 Olympic Games.

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) will be teaming up with Synchro Stars to help promote the growth of synchronised swimming with a plan of bringing overseas teams to Jamaica for various competitions and training camps.

Bournemouth Bath Pool in Kingston is scheduled to host the 2011 JISSC from October 5 to 8.

Over the last two years the JISSC has attracted teams from the United States, Aruba, Panama and Curacao.