Andorra's Artistic Swimming Reaches New Heights Under Coach Lívia Montes

Lívia Montes, an Asturian native who has devoted her life to artistic swimming—formerly known as synchronised swimming—now coaches a dozen young swimmers at the school in Sant Julià de Lòria.

Montes discovered the sport as a child in Avilés, near her hometown pool. Though not a strong sprinter, she thrived in the water and fell in love with artistic swimming later than most, eventually transitioning to coaching at her club in Asturias. She later moved to Andorra, where she has worked exclusively at LAUesport.

The discipline in Andorra has seen ups and downs, but Montes says it has reached unprecedented heights. "The level now is one we've never had before," she noted. Previously, local swimmers competed in lower categories against stronger rivals, but standards have risen sharply, thanks in large part to federation coach Estel Ferreras, who has delivered outstanding results.

Inclusion in the Games has boosted the sport significantly. While Montes's school remains small and effectively closed to new entrants due to her solo operation, demand has surged elsewhere, such as at Serradells, where groups are overflowing with girls. Strong performances have bolstered lower age groups, crucial for building a solid talent pipeline amid typical dropouts.

External clubs' training camps in Andorra provide further benefits, exposing local swimmers and coaches to new techniques and ideas. With only two clubs domestically, such exchanges offer valuable insights and networking opportunities.

A milestone came with the arrival of a boy at the school—attending with his twin sister and competing actively. This prompted a new competitive category, as male participation remains rare in the already niche sport. Montes highlighted the potential for mixed duos, common elsewhere but novel here, calling it a key step to broadening the base.

Looking ahead, she praised the strong foundational work alongside elite development, ensuring continued growth.