07/18/2007

Pool Pioneer: A Look at Male Aquamaid Kenyon Smith

While there are certainly adult male synchronized swimming teams, there's little acceptance for males in the sport among school-age kids. That didn't top 16-year-old Kenyon Smith, who acknowledges he was teased for his interest in the sport, from doing his own thing with the Santa Clara Aquamaids as the team's only male synchronized swimmer.

This inspiring clip is from the PBS series The Pursuit of Excellence and features a look at Kenyon's journey.

Posted 2:34 PM EST by Andy in News, Sports, Swimming | Permalink

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Comments

1. Guys who do traditionally 'female/femenine' sports and excel have more er.. guts than a whole football team.

   Posted by: Xavier | Jul 18, 2007 2:44:49 PM

   
   

2. Ahh...this brings back memories. My sister competed with the Walnut Creek Aquanuts (Santa Clara's main rival) back in the 80s and she used to teach me moves in our backyard pool! We'd build routines for my parents to watch. I can vouch for the fact that Synchro is an incredibly grueling and physically demanding sport!

   Posted by: Asher | Jul 18, 2007 2:59:03 PM

   
   

3. This has nothing to do with Kenyon. Synchronized swimming is a funny sport. It takes talent and stamina but it's just funny to watch. The plastic smiles and eagerness makes it seem forced.

   Posted by: Mike | Jul 18, 2007 3:03:29 PM

   
   

4. And stories like this are why I've been reading your blog for years.

   Posted by: Jerry | Jul 18, 2007 3:05:04 PM

   
   

5. I remember being teased as a kid for taking ballet and was heartened when Sports Illustrated had given Edward Villela of the New York City Ballet Company it's sportsman of the year award. I realized ballet wasn't for sissies.

   Posted by: woodroad34 | Jul 18, 2007 3:06:54 PM

   
   

6. I love stories like this. I applaud kids who buck tradition and follow their dreams. I also think an all male synchronized swimming team would be powerful and amazing.

   Posted by: sam | Jul 18, 2007 3:17:52 PM

   
   

7. Good for him!!!

   Posted by: Travis | Jul 18, 2007 3:48:19 PM

   
   

8. Sam said: "I also think an all male synchronized swimming team would be powerful and amazing."

   I agree! As long as they keep the speedos and don't switch to those terrible body suits the male swimmers wear.

   Posted by: Mike | Jul 18, 2007 3:51:49 PM

   
   

9. That's awesome. I think that one of the ancillary benefits of the continued push for GLBT equality is the fact that many young people who identify as straight feel less pressure to conform to gender-based stereotypes. I don't know if Kenyon is straight or gay... it really doesn't matter. What matters is that he feels free to do what makes him happy, and that lots of other people his age feel the same way. In the end, this sense of self-determination can only benefit society as a whole.

   Posted by: Brian | Jul 18, 2007 3:53:14 PM

   
   

10. She's the belle of the ball...or rather belle of the pool. Just when I thought things couldn't get any gayer, it did. Good for him though if it makes him happy.

    Posted by: Matty | Jul 18, 2007 4:10:44 PM

    
    

11. shoot, this aired last week

    Posted by: Gregg | Jul 18, 2007 6:01:45 PM

    
    

12. Funny, Matty. He didn't strike me as a "she" at all. What I found most interesting is that he didn't tip off my gaydar what-so-ever. Not that it matters either way, good for him.

    I agree with Brian 100%. The move toward societal acceptance of gays will no doubt help straight males who wish to break traditional roles and do not for fear of being dubbed "gay," and that will benefit us all.

    Posted by: Dan B | Jul 18, 2007 6:06:12 PM

    
    

13. Oh Dan B, come ON! NOTHING tripped your gaydar? Check out his entrance at 1:47. And when the girl describes the opening routine saying "he arches his back and it makes him look like a king", I almost busted a gut. 'Chile, please!

    Either way, "You go Miss Thing!" I am very happy that he is happy but synchronized swimming has always looked completely ridiculous to me and personally I didn't witness much grace on his part.
    
    But again I say, do what makes you happy, not what others think will make you happy.

    Posted by: soulbrotha | Jul 18, 2007 6:21:52 PM

    
    

14. P.S. I know that his entrance was just part of the routine and not a reflection of his sexuality. But it still tipped my 'dar anyway.
    And no disrespect intended by calling him Miss Thing. Mr. Thing, if that works better for anyone.

    Posted by: soulbrotha | Jul 18, 2007 6:29:22 PM

    
    

15. Interesting typo -- "didn't top" instead of "didn't stop". ;-)

    Posted by: Doug | Jul 18, 2007 8:43:24 PM

    
    

16. I know Kenyon personally. I worked with the Aquamaids during their 2005 season. He is a great kid with a ton of personality and self confidence.

    I'm very happy to see him get the recognition he deserves. Those teams work tirelessly day and night to perfect those routines. It's quite amazing to watch.

    And he's straight, one of those oh-so-lovable raised by women straight boys.

    Posted by: Ryan | Jul 18, 2007 8:58:59 PM

    
    

17. I love America. You go girl.

    Posted by: Chardonnay Merlot | Jul 18, 2007 9:09:02 PM

    
    

18. Billy Elliot with noseplugs.

    Posted by: gr8guyca | Jul 18, 2007 10:21:43 PM

    
    

19. Wow, that is so inspiring. Good for him! It will be interesting to see how the sport, and in particular the breadth and style of its movements, evolves as more men enter the sport.
    There is so much scope in the water 'medium' for a range of movements and aesthetics.

    Posted by: Chaq | Jul 18, 2007 10:53:09 PM

    
    

20. Synchronized swimming, eh? Wow, that's so...gay.
    

    Posted by: Nikko | Jul 19, 2007 1:51:32 AM

    
    

21. that has to be the gayest thing i've ever seen in my life - he should get a tattoo of "bottom" straight across his ass at this point.

    Posted by: faggola | Jul 19, 2007 10:32:16 AM

    
    

22. While this episode has finished airing on the regular PBS channel it is sometimes rerun on the PBS-HD channel. That's where I caught it yesterday anyway.

    Posted by: phil | Jul 19, 2007 12:06:21 PM

    
    

23. OK girls calm the fuck down! I teach high school students and let me tell you. They are all pan-sexual at that age and don't know what the hell they want. Even my boys who identify as "straight" are very feminine and tolerant with each other physically. I think todays teens and adolescents are much less gender-role conscious than we were at that age. I would caution the older observer to identify gender traits with sexuality. I have witnessed first hand they don't always go together.

    Whether Kenyon likes boys or girls is irrelevant to the huge statement he is making by just being himself. And I say Bravo. You Go Boy!!!

    Now go find yourself a hot swimmer hubby!:-)

    Posted by: Joe in the OC | Jul 19, 2007 2:30:46 PM

    
    

24. The Japanese film Waterboys is all about a male synchronised swimming team battling the odds.

    Posted by: Alec | Jul 24, 2007 11:57:15 PM

    
    

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