How to Be an Olympic Synchronized Swimmer

Synchronized swimming is a combination of three disciplines: swimming, gymnastics and dance. Swimmers in the water perform routines to music. Synchronized swimmers must have flexibility, strength, breath control, endurance and timing. Olympic synchronized swimming is a summer Olympic sport and is a female-only event.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Find a local club. Small clubs offer coaching and training opportunities for synchronized swimmers of all levels. These clubs compete in meets against other clubs, which helps to get athletes accustomed to competition and its own set of stresses.

2. Join USA Synchro in order to compete in sanctioned events. This provides liability insurance for competitors in the events it sponsors.

3. Be the best of the best. It takes hard work, dedication and talent to be an Olympic competitor in any sport, including synchronized swimming. An athlete must be willing to devote herself to the goal to succeed in making the Olympic team. Practicing needs to be a priority, not an option.

4. Compete in major events. Participation in large events is necessary for several reasons. From getting noticed by coaches and other competitors to learning how to deal with competition nerves, large meets serve an important purpose: preparation for the ultimate meet- the Olympics.

5. Try out for the Olympic squad. At the Olympic try-outs, a team consisting of nine members is selected. Two of these members will do the duet portion as well as the team synchronized routine. In order to make the team, athletes must participate at the Olympic trials.

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