Synchronized Swimming

Introduction

Synchronized Swimming is a combined form of swimming, dance, and gymnastics in which swimmers perform figure routines with a combination of strokes and propulsions. This synchronization is accompanied by music. It was first begun in Canada during 1920s and within a decade, became much-publicized in U.S. It became an Olympic sport in 1984. At present, more than 80 nations participate in this sport.

The participants perform free as well as technical routines the former following latter by using any stroke or propulsion method. In free routines, swimmers perform individually whereas, in technical routines, they follow some specific patterns to swim in specific routines at the same time. Figures are performed at fixed positions. Scores are given for figures, technical routines, and artistic impressions. Points can be decreased for any flaws in the performance or violating any rule. After adding all scores and subtracting penalty points, participants get their final scores. In major events, routine competitions are held in preliminaries and semifinals followed by figure competitions which swimmers have to qualify to reach finals.

Objective

The objective of participants is to earn highest scores from the judges’ panel. The length of time varies according to the number of participants such as for senior free routines, participants performing as solo are allotted 3 minutes, for a duet and trios it is 3:30 minutes and for a team, it is 4 minutes. The performance is judged by scoring system ranging from 0-10 according to their skilled performance and graceful impression.

History of Synchronized Swimming

At the point when synchronised swimming initially started at the turn of the twentieth century, it was known as water ballet. The main synchronised swimming clubs are recorded to have begun around 1891 when it is thought the principal games occurred in Berlin, Germany.

In 1907, Annette Kellerman, an Australian woman, grabbed the eye of the country, performing in a glass tank at the New York Hippodrome and wound up known as the underwater ballerina. A couple of years after the fact a gathering of Canadian ladies created what they called 'ornamental swimming'.

One of the primary water ballet clubs was begun at the University of Chicago by Katherine Curtis after she tried different things with different plunging activities and tricks in the water. The group started executing strokes, "traps," and drifting developments and they performed in the lagoon at the Century of Progress World's Fair in Chicago. This is the place where the commentator of the execution first utilised the term 'synchronised swimming'.

The term, in the long run, moved toward becoming institutionalised through the AAU, yet Curtis still utilised the expression "Rhythmic swimming" in her book, Rhythmic Swimming: A Source Book of Synchronized Swimming and Water.

Katherine Curtis was instrumental in synchronised swimming turning into a perceived game in December 1941, and in 1979 the International Swimming Hall of Fame additionally perceived Katherine for her job inside the game.

The craftsmanship snowballed throughout the following 20 years winding up incredibly specialised and physically requesting, and the schedules were set to music.

The American synchronised swimmers showed the game at the Olympic Games in Rome in 1960, and synchronised swimming turned into an authority Olympic game. Presently, there are two Olympic controls, the duet and team routines which have been incorporated since Sydney 2000.

Turning into an Olympic game altogether raised the profile of synchronised swimming, and because of the decent variety of the order and the physicality of the game, it has turned into an inexorably famous type of entertainment at occasions and pool parties. The charming 1950s style of synchronised swimming with incredible developments and extravagant tops is dependably a public decision for stimulation, alongside current schedules of aerobatic lifts and fast-moving choreography.

Participants

Earlier, Synchronized swimming was performed only by women but now men also participate in the sport. It can be performed solo, duet, trio, combo or as a team of 8 members.

Equipment

Gelatin

It is like a Jell-O which is mixed with water and is applied on hair with the help of a comb leaving it untouched for few minutes, making the hair to stick at their place and thereby not hindering the player's performance.

Synchronized Swimming - Ear Plugs

It is used to protect the ears from the intrusion of water. Pool water causes earaches and several diseases due to chemicals present in it. Ear plugs are made of soft plastic or silicon so that it can quickly adjust to the ears' size without causing any inconvenience.

Synchronized Swimming - Nose Clip

It is a wire made device covered with plastic or rubber and is worn during aquatic sports to prevent the water from getting inside the nose. The clip blocks the nostrils partially and permits the swimmer to breathe only.

Swim Cap

Swim caps are usually worn by long haired swimmers to protect their hair from chlorinated water and to reduce drag in the water caused by loose hair.

Synchronized Swimming - Swim Suit

The competitors wear one-piece, beautifully decorated swim suits.

Playing Area

Synchronized swimming is performed in a pool of measurements 30m x 20m x 3m with no ropes and restrictions as in swimming events. The technical judges sit around the pool to observe the performance minutely. One side is allotted for the officials such as assistant judges, timekeepers, and announcers along with sound technician sit.

Techniques

Figures

The combination of specific movements which swimmers perform in four categories i.e. diverse, somersault, dolphin and ballet leg. These are carried out without music to exhibit balance, coordination, and flexibility of swimmers in front of judges.

Routines

Routines are a combination of figures which swimmers represent by moving their limbs in a unanimous pattern with each other as well as with the rhythm of the music. It is exhibited mainly in three categories- Solo, duet, and team (consisting maximum 8 members). There are two forms of routines- the free programs and the technical programs. The technical program is performed in a specific order that each of the participants in the team has to follow whereas free programs have no restrictions on music and choreography.

Officials

Meet Referee

The one who is responsible for the whole meet and who makes sure that the swimmers are performing according to the rules of the event.

Assistant Referee

The one who signals to start and end up the event and also checks the placement of each participant.

Technical Monitor

There are three technical monitors for an event who observe the technical routines of each performance.

Sound Technician

The sound technician plays music for each performance.

Time Keepers

Three timekeepers observe the time taken by swimmers to perform any routine.

Announcer

There is an announcer for an event to introduce the participants and announce the results.

Judges

There are 10 judges to observe the figures and routines of each performance. Five judges give score according to the technical performance whereas five judges give scores for the artistic impression. One artistic judge sits with a technical judge.