What is Synchronized Swimming?

Synchronized swimming is a sport where swimmers perform movements in aesthetic harmony above and below the water to music, aiming to impress judges. This discipline includes individual or team competitions and requires a perfect blend of technical and artistic skills.

Basic Technical Terms and Definitions

In synchronized swimming, there are many technical terms that affect the performance of athletes. The table below provides explanations for some important terms:

Term Definition
Scull A fundamental technique where the hands and arms are moved in a specific way within the water, allowing the swimmer to counteract gravity and maintain a specific position.
Figures Complex sequences of movements that swimmers perform in a specific order and in harmony.
Hybrid A set of more complex and creative movements created by combining different figures.
Deckwork Movements performed by swimmers on dry land at the beginning of the performance, which are part of the routine.
Pattern The general name for the shapes and formations created by team swimmers on the surface of the water.

Competition Format and Categories

Synchronized swimming competitions can take place individually, in pairs, in groups of four, or as a team. In each category, swimmers' technical skills, artistic expression, and ability to move in synchronization are measured. Performances are displayed to music and usually consist of two parts in competitions organized in two sections: a technical routine and a free routine.

Evaluation Criteria and Scoring System

The performance of synchronized swimmers is evaluated based on various criteria such as technical difficulty, creativity, aesthetic harmony, and synchronization with the music. Judges score the athletes based on these criteria. In technical routines, it is important to execute a selected portion of the mandatory elements perfectly. In free routines, the athlete's creative and artistic side comes to the fore.