Members of artistic swimming team Abu Water Boys strike a pose at a heated pool on the premises of the Michi-no-eki roadside rest stop in the town of Abu, Yamaguchi Prefecture, on Nov. 23, 2021. (Mainichi/Masahiko Endo) =Click/tap photo for more images.

       ABU, Yamaguchi -- Abu Water Boys, an artistic swimming team based in this western Japan town, will hold their last performance on Dec. 29 and mark the end of roughly 11 years of activities.

       Although the team gained popularity for the excitement they brought to the local community, it has become difficult for members who have married or moved away to continue their activities. Members agree that they want to make their final performance one in which they can express their gratitude.

       One evening in November, eight of the members were checking their jumps and dance moves to rhythmical idol group songs at a heated pool at the local Michi-no-eki roadside rest stop. Ahead of the team's 23rd and final performance, captain Yuichi Ishida, who is also a town official, said, "We'll join hands with the audience in our performance. We would like for many people to come and see us."

       The heated pool, on the premises of the roadside rest stop overlooking the Sea of Japan, opened in July 1993. Town officials discussed its use during the winter months from December to February, when the pool closes due to the small number of users. The idea of establishing an artistic swimming team exclusively for men was suggested. Ishida invited young people from Abu and other areas, and the team was launched in May 2011. Twice a year in the summer and winter, members performed at the pool before an audience.

       The team is apparently ending their activities due to the changing environment of the members, such as marriage and job transfers, which have made it more and more difficult to practice over the years. Although the team currently consists of 11 people aged 19 to 37, with Ishida being the oldest, it had over 30 different members in total, including town officials and a marine safety station employee.

       Their final performance will be a routine lasting about 30 minutes, featuring four songs including one by the popular idol group Arashi and a medley of the music used in their previous shows. It will begin from 7 p.m. on Dec. 29, and admission is free. People can apply using a reply-paid postcard or from the Abu Town Hall's official website up until Dec. 6. Spectators are limited to 200 people, and a lottery will be held if the number of applications exceeds the capacity.

       (Japanese original by Masahiko Endo, Hagi Local Bureau)

       Font Size S M L Print Timeline 0