Synchro Story
When did Artistic Swimming become an Olympic sport?
Artistic swimming (previously Synchronized Swimming) has been an Olympic sport since 1984. Donella Freeman (Burridge) and Lisa Critoph were the first Australian synchronised swimmers competing at the 1984 LA Olympics. Donnella is still competing to this day in the Masters catergory.
Why do people enjoy Artistic Swimming?
Artistic Swimming is growing in popularity amongst girls interested in a sport that provides a unique fusion of swimming, gymnastics, ballet and theatre.
General enjoyment of artistic swimming is similar to many other sports:
- Enjoying the friendship and support of teammates with a focus on working together and improving as a group
- Enjoying new and unique ways to express movement and be creativity
- Experiencing the significant benefits in developing fitness, strength and endurance
- Experiencing progress and mastery over time of increasingly complex skills, positions and movement
Artistic Swimming promotes cognitive skills like counting, memorisation, rhythm, coordination, and visualisation
Artistic Swimming also promotes the development of life skills such as teamwork, commitment, perseverance, and the importance of co-operation and respect for the group.
What do you need to be good Artistic Swimming?
Artistic Swimming requires a combination of swimming skills, a sense of timing, spatial awareness, and visualisation.
All that beginners need is a competent level of swimming ability and no issues with being submerged under the water.
At recreational levels, the sport is very inclusive and allows for people of all ages, shapes and sizes to participate, develop skills, have fun and make friends. Training may be once or twice a week.
At the competitive levels synchronised swimmers are elite athletes who put in many hours of training per week.
What are some of the opportunities to compete and perform as a Artistic Swimming?
Artistic swimmers can compete at local, state, national, International and Olympic levels. There are two events currently contested at the Olympic level of Artistic Swimming - Team and Duet. Within each of these events a Technical and Free routine must be performed.
There are also opportunities to perform the artistic and entertainment events. Artistic swimmers have taken part in various public events, featured in music videos, and perform at weddings and private functions.
Artistic Swimming techniques are used in world-class circus and entertainment such as Cirque de Soleil.