To illustrate synchronized swimming, imagine…
• A gymnast performing underwater
• A six-minute miler running without breathing
• An ice skater perfecting figure movements in an unstable medium
• A dancer’s artistic flair in choreographed routines
• A water polo player’s power and strength needed to extend out of water
• A long-distance swimmers’ lung capacity developed for endurance
Add to that a combination of grace, fluidity, and synchronization of an entire team and you have just imagined…synchronized swimming!
Competitors are often up-side down with their legs above the surface of the water, performing splits, spins and other movements, that require power, split-second timing and incredible breath control.
Competitors perform figures before a panel of judges with-out music, and routines (choreographed performances) set to music in which judges score the athletes to reflect their execution, artistic impression, and technical difficulty.