There are so many fascinating synchronised swimming facts to share with you! The first and most recent, is the name change from synchronised swimming to artistic swimming in 2017 by FINA. Most people still refer to artistic swimming as synchronised swimming so we will stick with this for the rest of the facts.
Synchronised swimming or ‘synchro’ for short, is an Olympic sport that combines the skills from swimming, gymnastics, diving and dance to create spectacular routines of acrobatic moves in the water to music.
Originally named ‘water ballet’ or ‘ornamental swimming’, a synchronised swimming routine in competition can be performed as a solo, duet, trio, team or combo (ten synchronised swimmers performing a combination of solo, duet, trio and teams). The routines involve teamwork, synchronisation and artistic flair and are choreographed often with a theme in mind, to music.
Competitive routines can be anything from two and a half minutes to five minutes long, depending on whether they perform alone or part of a team. Synchronised swimmers can hear the music underwater through underwater speakers that are connected to the main sound system above the water.
Synchronised swimming is a very demanding and dynamic sport that requires great strength, endurance, flexibility, artistry, grace and precise timing and synchronisation with your fellow team mates. All this whilst holding your breath underwater for up to two minutes during a routine whilst upside down under the water!
A test on all the Olympic sports before the London 2012 Olympic Games concluded that synchronised swimmers ranked second only to long distance runners in aerobic capacity!
Traditionally, synchronised swimming has been a predominantly female sport, however, the mixed pair event has now been added allowing men to compete on the world stage at certain events. Men are still barred from competing at the Olympic Games but they are allowed to compete in many international competitions along with their fellow female team mates.
Competitive synchronised swimming is scored out of 10 by judges who judge using a set criteria.
Synchronised swimming is governed internationally by FINA (Federation Internationale de Natation).
Synchronised swimmers wear nose clips to stop water going up their nose and damaging their sinuses when upside down in water.
Due to its artistic component, synchronised swimming is one of the few Olympic sports than can crossover into the arts world and be considered both a sport and a form of entertainment.
Synchronised swimming captivates an audience with such a unique and visually stunning impact upon many people who have never seen it live before, encouraging many to film and share it on social media which is ideal for product and brand launches as well as media capturing it for images on their front pages and video campaigns.
You will also see synchronised swimming in the movies. From the 1950’s musicals starring Hollywood swimming icon Esther Williams in films such as the Million Dollar Mermaid, through to films such as the opening scene of Muppets Most Wanted and whole films dedicated to the sport such as Swimming With Men and Le Grand Bain. Music videos by global icons such as Beyonce, Lady Gaga and Justin Beiber also have been featuring synchronised swimming, with Bombay Bicycle club using a whole music video just focused on synchronised swimming.
The skills of synchronised swimmers are also being used in commercials such as Puma x Ader Error where the synchronised swimmers are filmed during a routine with trainers on, Intel to describe connections, and Dollar Shave Club where they look like they are performing in foam.