Culloden Academy pupil named Scottish Artistic Swimmer of the Year
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ANNA McGregor is making a real splash in the pool after she has been crowned Scottish Artistic Swimmer of the Year.
The Inverness teenager has been named as the top artistic swimmer in Scotland after achieving major success in competitions during 2023.
The 17-year-old, who is a member at Nairn Synchro, is the current Scottish junior soloist champion and is the holder of the Berlin Trophy.
In addition, along with her duet partner Corin MacDonald, McGregor also holds the junior duet title.
McGregor, who is a sixth year pupil at Culloden Academy, says it was a huge honour to receive the award and be named as the top artistic swimmer in the country.
Speaking about receiving the top award, McGregor said: “It was really amazing as I didn’t expect it.
“I have seen swimmers close to me and above me who have won the trophy before, so for me to get it as well felt pretty cool.”
McGregor first got involved in artistic swimming when she was at primary school.
Before that she was previously involved in a number of other sports before taking the plunge and concentrating on artistic swimming, which she been doing for the last nine years.
She said: “When I was younger, I used to do everything that there was to possibly do involving sport which helped me a lot.
“I did a lot of swimming when I was younger when I was at Nairn Swimming Club.
“After we had finished swimming, I always saw Nairn Synchro would used to train after us.
“We would always see and watch them and it was something that always interested me about getting involved with.”
McGregor says a lot of effort goes into preparing routines, but the fact she competes underwater is not a major issue for her when she is competing in competitions.
“Artistic swimming is similar to dancing but underwater,” said McGregor.
“It involves holding your breath and doing gymnastics-style moves as well.
“It takes a lot of strength as you have to hold yourself up as well.
“I have been involved in artistic swimming for nine years now.
“It is quite hard to learn, but it always comes good in the end.
“You never really think about it that you are underwater, sometimes you feel like you want to get up and breathe.
“But you do get used to being underwater all the time while doing routines.”
McGregor has also competed in England as well as in Scotland and is preparing for the English Open National Championships next year as well as competitions in Scotland.
McGregor is looking to progress her artistic swimming career and reach the very top in the future.
She said: “I want to make it on to the Great Britain Synchro team and compete in the Olympics.
“The GB team is very good right now and are improving all the time.
“Hopefully I can keep my improvement going and at some point compete with the squad.”
