WaveMaker Spotlight celebrates girls who are making waves in and out of the water.
This week’s WaveMaker is Lynden Ludwig, an aerial lyra and aerial silks athlete with a creative streak, a strong work ethic, and a love for anything that lets her learn, move, and try something new.
Lynden has been doing aerial lyra for two years and recently started learning aerial silks. If you have never seen aerial arts before, imagine a mix of strength, flexibility, balance, courage, and performance, all while suspended in the air.
No big deal, right?
For Lynden, aerial arts have become a place where she gets to practice, create routines, spend time with her friends, and learn from older girls in her class. She currently trains with girls ages 10–16, which gives her a chance to see more advanced skills up close and look up to role models who are a few steps ahead of her.
Like most things worth doing, though, it has not always been easy.
Lynden has had to work through the frustration of learning new skills and not mastering them as quickly as she wanted. She learned that progress does not always happen right away; sometimes it takes extra practice, extra patience, and a willingness to keep showing up even when it is hard.
She also had a setback when she had surgery on one of her fingers and could not grip anything for two months. When she was finally able to return, she had to rebuild strength in her hands so she could practice again.
That part was not easy. Her hands had lost calluses and strength, and getting back into it took real determination.
But Lynden did it.
She got back on the apparatus.
She practiced.
She rebuilt.
She kept going.
And that is what makes her a WaveMaker.
Right now, Lynden is focused on practicing, creating routines with her coach, and performing in showcases. Her next big goal is to compete with the United States Aerial Arts Organization when she is 13.
When she is not doing lyra or silks, Lynden still stays busy. She loves being outside, swimming at the pool or lake, rollerblading, skating, drawing, practicing archery, and competing with her brother.
She is also very creative. Right now, she wants to learn sign language, loves to crochet, and is making a baby blanket for her cousin’s new baby. She is also very into bedazzling just about anything she can find: hair clips, power chargers, and anything else that could use a little sparkle.
And in her free time, Lynden likes volunteering at art camp and VBS, especially working with pre-k and kindergarten kids.
Strong, creative, kind, and not afraid of a little sparkle? We love it.
Lynden’s Favorite Thing About Aerial Arts
Lynden's favorite part of aerial arts is learning drops on the silks. Drops take serious strength, control, and trust, but Lynden loves the challenge.
She also loves spending time with her friends during practice and being part of a space where girls encourage each other while learning new skills.
That part matters.
Because sometimes the thing that helps girls keep going is not just the sport itself. It is the people around them. The coach who helps them try again. The older girl who shows what is possible. The friend who cheers when they finally get the skill.
That is what makes a sport feel bigger than practice.
Lynden’s Advice for Other Tween Girls
Lynden’s advice for other girls who are interested in trying lyra, silks, or something completely new:
“Just give it a shot. It’s really fun, and if it’s not your thing, at least you can say that you got to experience something really cool and tried something new. Who knows, it might be your new favorite thing like it is mine.”
We could not love that more.
Because trying something new does not mean you have to be perfect at it. It does not even mean it has to become your thing forever. Sometimes the win is simply being brave enough to try.
Lynden’s Favorite NextWave Suit
Lynden’s favorite NextWave Swim combo is the Crossline Top - Coral with Deep Tide Straps and Coastline Bikini Bottoms - Coral Rush.
Bold, sporty, and fun, which feels very Lynden.
Know a Girl Who’s Making Waves?
We are always looking to celebrate girls who are doing amazing things in and out of the water, whether that is through sports, art, leadership, creativity, kindness, or simply being brave enough to try something new.
Know someone we should feature?
Email us at hello@nextwaveswim.com to nominate her for a future WaveMaker Spotlight.