Introduction

Synchronised Swimming, a sport often described as "dance in the water", consists of special elements like strength, flexibility, grace, artistry and long underwater endurance.

In order for the athletes to stay longer underwater and perform routines, while at the same time appearing both presentable and comfortable, various ‘methods’ are used during a performance. One of them is to put a clip on the swimmer’s nose, which prevents an intake of water through the nostrils, making it possible for the athlete to stay underwater longer; the use of hair gelatine and make-up helps hair to stay in place and highlights the athletes’ features respectively; underwater speakers transmit the music into the pool, helping the swimmers keep their synchronisation while under water.

Understanding Synchronised Swimming

The swimmers perform two routines before the judges: one technical and one free routine. The technical routine comprises obligatory elements in a prescribed order: nine in the duet and ten in the team event. The free routine allows competitors to present a composition of their own choice. There are two sets of marks, one for technical merit and one for artistic impression.
Scoring

Technical routine. This includes obligatory elements in a prescribed order. The time limit is 2’20” (duet) or 2’50” (team). 50% of the marks are awarded for execution and 50% for overall impression.

Free routine. This involves presentation of a composition with free choice listed figures, strokes and/of parts thereof to music. Again there is a time limit: 3’30” (duet) or 4’ (team). 50% of the marks are awarded for technique and the remaining 50% for artistic impression.

The results for these two routines are combined (50% technical and 50% free choice) so as to produce the total score. Swimmers lose two points for performing technical elements in the wrong order (technical program) or for using the sides or the bottom of the pool.