While synchro swimmers develop a variety of physical and social skills, they also benefit from the psychological and cognitive aspects of the sport. Synchro cultivates multi-tasking, goal setting, self-motivation, focus and time-management, as well as skills like counting, memorization, rhythm, coordination and visualization. Competitions teach participants how to think positively, how to stay calm under pressure and how to regroup after making a mistake. Fitness and team training help swimmers to develop emotional stability and a healthy body image, building confidence and self-esteem. All t ..read more

​A research brief from the Aspen Sports Institute found that youth who play multiple sports tend to experience less burnout and perform at higher levels later on than those who train exclusively in one area. This rings true for synchro swimmers: Many are attracted to it in the first place because it combines so many of the different sports that they love. And cross-training is actually built into synchro conditioning, with weight-training, swimming and Pilates- and yoga-type stretching all an integral part of workouts. The skills learned in synchro also provide an excellent foundation for act ..read more

There are four main categories currently recognized in international competition: Solos - An individual swimmer synchronizes with the music. Duets - A swimmer coordinates movements with a partner and in time with the music. Teams - Four to eight swimmers perform movements in coordination with each other and the music. Teams normally consist of eight swimmers, but must have a minimum of four. For each swimmer under eight, a team is penalized, because it's easier to synchronize fewer people in a routine. Combos - A team routine where up to 10 swimmers perform in one continuous routine. However ..read more

For many synchro swimmers, the lifelong friendships established with teammates — and even other competitors — ranks among their favorite facets of the sport. You train together, travel together and live together; you eat, sleep, fight and cry together; you're there for each other as you celebrate achievements and overcome disappointments. By working with athletes from different backgrounds, swimmers learn cooperation, respect, commitment, dependability, leadership, patience, how to receive and deliver feedback and encouragement, how to win and lose gracefully and how to step outside their comf ..read more

While synchro swimmers develop a variety of physical and social skills, they also benefit from the psychologicaland cognitive aspects of the sport. Synchro cultivates multi-tasking, goal setting, self-motivation, focus and time-management, as well as skills like counting, memorization, rhythm, coordination and visualization. Competitions teach participants how to think positively, how to stay calm under pressure and how to regroup after making a mistake. Fitness and team training help swimmers to develop emotional stability and a healthy body image, building confidence and self-esteem. All the ..read more

Since its Olympic debut in 1984, synchro has become an increasingly athletic and challenging aquatic sport, with the top teams practicing upwards of 50 hours a week to build the strength, stamina, flexibility, speed and precision needed to perfect their routines. When tested and compared with other Olympic athletes, synchronized swimmers ranked second only to long-distance runners in terms of aerobic capacity, and second to gymnasts in terms of flexibility. They perform intricate maneuvers with their legs while holding their breaths, relying on their own strength to support their bodies above ..read more

When many Americans think of synchronized swimming or artistic swimming or 'synchro', they recall the elaborate 1940s and 1950s aquatic productions starring Esther Williams, or perhaps the infamous Saturday Night Live parody sketch featuring Martin Short and Harry Shearer. To the casual observer, synchro swimmers seem to glide effortlessly through the water, executing stunts with ease and grace. But in reality, synchro is a demanding Olympic, collegiate, Age Group and Masters sport with outstanding all-around athletes: They must possess the flexibility and extension of a gymnast, the timing an ..read more