ISHOF 2023 Class: Chris Carver to be Inducted as Honor Coach of Artistic Swimming

Chris Carver is a ground-breaking synchronized swimming choreographer and club coach of the world renowned Santa Clara Aquamaids and joins the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) as an Honor Coach.

As the co-head coach of the U.S. National Team, the team won every gold medal in elite international competition between the 1991 Pan American Games and 1996 Olympic Games. Her swimmer, Becky Dyroen-Lancer, won all four gold medals at the 1994 FINA World Championships and then repeated the grand slam another eight times for which she earned the FINA Prize, the only synchronized swimmer in history to be honored with the award. With four of her club swimmers on the 1996 Olympic team, Carver choreographed the USA Team to win the Olympics’ first gold medal in the team event, earning the first perfect 100 score in Olympic history.

For many years, Carver has been a promoter of men in synchronized swimming. In 1996, she started coaching Bill May, the first male to compete for the Aquamaids.  At this time, men could not compete at FINA sanctioned events, but open competitions welcomed them throughout the world. This initiated tremendous support for the inclusion of the event.

Santa Clara Artistic Swimming

Sixteen years later, it was announced that the mixed duet would be included at the 2015 World Aquatic Championships.  Up to that point, men could only compete in open events and competitions. May won first prize at the 1999 Swiss Open and French Open and was named U.S. Synchronized Swimming Athlete of the Year in 1998 and 1999. Once the inclusion of the mixed duet was announced, May came out of a nearly 10-year retirement, and returned to train with Carver and Christina Jones. In 2015, they won the first FINA World Championships for mixed duets in Kazan.

May became the first man in history win a gold medal in a FINA World Championship. In addition, he was honored by FINA as the Top Male Synchronized Swimmer of 2015.  As we progress even further, the Olympic Games of 2024 will introduce men into Artistic Swimming, thanks in part to so many, including people like Carver and May.

Seven of the nine members of the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team were Carver’s own swimmers, as were eight of the nine in 2004, including Alison Bartosik and Anna Kozlova, who won bronze medals in duet.

Overall, Carver has produced more than 50% of the USA’s synchronized swimming Olympians since 1984. In an era when the USA was synchro’s world leader, Carver was named Coach of the Year by U.S. Synchronized Swimming 14 consecutive time and her Santa Clara Aquamaids won 14 U.S. National Team Championships since 1985. Carver has also been generous with her time and sharing of her knowledge by giving coaching clinics around the world.

Come join Carver and this year’s spectacular class of 2023 in Ft. Lauderdale.  If you cannot join us, consider making a donation. To make a donation, click here: https://www.ishof.org/donate/

This year’s International Swimming Hall of Fame Honorees include:

International Swimming Hall of Fame 2023 Honorees

Bob Bowman (USA)……………..…….…….….….…Honor Coach

Chris Carver (USA)………..……………..…….………Honor Coach

Cesar Cielo (BRA)…………..….…….…..….……Honor Swimmer

Kirsty Coventry (ZMB)…………..…….……..….Honor Swimmer

Missy Franklin (USA)…………..…..……..……… Honor Swimmer

Natalia  Ischenko (RUS)…….…Honor Synchronized Swimmer

Kosuke Kitajima (JPN)……….……………….……Honor Swimmer

Heather Petri (USA)……..………..…… Honor Water Polo Player

Michael Phelps (USA)………………..….…………Honor Swimmer

Wu Minxia (CHN)……………………..…….………..……Honor Diver

Sam Ramsamy (RSA)…………….………….…..Honor Contributor

Stephane LeCat (FRA).……………Honor Open Water Swimmer

Trischa Zorn (USA).………..………..Honor Paralympic Swimmer

ISHOF 58^th Annual Honoree Induction weekend

Friday, September 29, 2023

ISHOF Aquatic Awards Presented by AquaCal

5:00 – 6:00 PM – ISHOF Awards and Welcome Cocktail Reception – Outside Veranda

Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa, 3030 Holiday Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 / 954.525.4000

6:30 – 8:30 PM – ISHOF Aquatic Awards presented by AquaCal and the ISHOF Specialty Awards Presentation – Caribbean Ballroom

Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa, 3030 Holiday Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 / 954.525.4000

Tickets: $100.00

Saturday, September 30, 2023

58th Annual ISHOF Honoree Induction Ceremonies

5:00 – 6:00 PM Cocktails at the 58th Annual ISHOF Honoree Induction Ceremonies

The Parker Playhouse, 707 N.E. 8th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 / 954.462-02

6:30 – 8:30 PM – the 58th Annual ISHOF Honoree Induction Ceremonies Presentation

The Parker Playhouse, 707 N.E. 8th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 / 954.462-0222

Tickets: $275.00 / $375.00 / $475.00 – Will be available through Ticketmaster beginning in mid July

HOTEL INFORMATION  

Host Hotel:  Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa

To make reservations click here:  https://book.passkey.com/e/50527236

Upscale retreat with private beach access, two pools, four restaurants, full-service spa and oceanside bar. Location of the Friday evening awards ceremony. ¼ mile south of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

3030 Holiday Drive, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 525-4000

Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $229 per night, 

($39 Resort fee – Guests can opt out if not interested in resort amenities)

Additional Hotel Option:

Courtyard Marriott Fort Lauderdale Beach

 Book your group rate for Honoree Ceremony

440 Seabreeze Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 524-8733

Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $169 – $189 per night

Honoree Ceremony September 29-30, 2023: Last Day to Book: Friday, August 31, 2023

STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SCHEDULE AND TICKETS

or Call 570.594.4367