You are here: Home / Archives for Swimming

Synchronized Swimming

July 5, 2011 By jsupswim Leave a Comment

Synchronized swimming is a form of swimming which combines the sport of swimming with the artistic characteristics of both gymnastics and dance. It could be performed by a solo, a duet, a trio, or more commonly, by a team of swimmers. As its name implies, synchronized swimming involves performing a synchronized routine of complicated and intricate moves in the water while being accompanied by background music.

Synchronized swimming requires a lot from its participants. Swimmers that participate in this sport have to have highly advanced swimming skills along with incredible breath control because many maneuvers require the swimmer to be upside down under the water. They also have to be very graceful, flexible, and artistic in the water. Lastly, the swimmers must have an impeccable sense of timing in order for the routine to come out well.

In both the Olympic Championship and the World Championship events of synchronized swimming, men are not allowed to compete. However, in the US and Canada Championships, male competitors are allowed to participate along with the women. Most of the synchronized swimming championships held in Europe allow male swimmers to compete as well. France even has male only synchronized swimming events. The Mens Cup synchronized swimming championship – a worldwide biannual synchronized swimming event for men – has also been steadily growing over the past years.

During competition, the participants are required to perform two different routines that will be scored by the judges. The first one is a technical routine while the second one is a free routine. Both of these routines though require the participants to show off their endurance, elegance, and creativity. There are also age group based routines.

The technical routine also requires the participants to show off predetermined elements of synchronized swimming that must be done in the exact order that they have been given. The free routine on the other hand has no such bounds. This is the routine where the swimmers incorporate their own unique moves and show off their imaginative and artistic talents.

The length of time allowed for the routines is greatly dependent on the number of participants. Solo and duet competitions are the shortest routines as they are given just two and a half minutes to complete their routine. Team competitions naturally would require more time for them to be able to show off their skills and are therefore usually given up to 5 minutes to complete their routine. The skill level of the competition and the age level of the participants are also usually considered when determining the maximum allowed time for the completion of a routine.

Synchronized swimming was first exhibited at the Olympics during the 1952 summer games. It was not until the Olympic Games at Los Angeles, California in 1984 however that it became an official sport of the Olympics. Furthermore, it was only in 1968 that synchronized swimming was recognized by the Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA) as the fourth official water sport, joining the ranks of swimming, water polo, and platform diving.

This Article is written by spainfitness. For more details on Sports Supplements, Weight loss and Sports nutrition you can visit our web site http://www.spainfitness.com/en

Find More Swimming Articles

Filed Under: Swimming Tagged With: ,

Circle Swimming? Sounds Complicated, What The Heck Is It?

July 5, 2011 By jsupswim Leave a Comment

I swear I get the craziest looks sometimes when people come up and ask if they can share the lane with me. I usually respond with, “Of course, would you like to circle swim”?

They look at me kinda funny and say, “how about we just split the lane.”

I cringe a little and reply with a “sure why not,” and off I go to continue on with my workout in my tiny little half a lane (usually with a few laps of butterfly, so they know what they are getting themselves into :) ).

Maybe I’m overreacting, but its just an irritating a pet peeve of mine.

Here’s why…

I never really thought there was any other way to swim laps than circle swimming when I was swimming competitively because it just seemed so logical. We had to swim 4, 5, 6+ to a lane, and the only way to accomplish this was to circle swim. After I quit, I was a lifeguard at the local pool and swam there occasionally, and I noticed how passionate some people are about circle swimming, silly as it may seem.

I didn’t get it until one day, all 8 lanes were filled up with 16 people, who of course were splitting lanes. This left any new swimmers to hang out on the deck until someone got out or they could convince their counterparts to share the lane and swim in those god awful circles. I’m getting dizzy just thinking about it!

Anyways, this same situation happened to me just the other day. A younger guy pulled the lane split routine on me (surprising because he looked like he swam competitively at some point), and about 10 min later there were 4-5 people on deck looking agitated because all of the lanes were full.

A pool’s capacity is not 2 x the number of lanes, so please make sure you do your part to keep it that way. Its only fair.

Here’s a few easy to follow lap swimming etiquette tips to help…

Pick An Appropriate Lane

When you arrive at the pool if there are no open lanes, scope out the situation and try to choose a lane that has swimmer(s) that are close to your skill level. Some pools will actually designate one side of the pool for slower swimmers and the opposite side for faster swimmers. Just make sure you choose accordingly so you’re not running people over or vice versa.

Announce Your Intention To Join A Lane

Don’t just hop into any lane. Give the common courtesy to the person(s) who was in the lane first, and ask if they mind if you join them. After you get a yes, kindly ask “Do you mind if we circle swim?” Make sure you clarify this prior to getting in so you avoid the impending head-on collision.

Don’t Hog The Wall

If you stop for rest, or you’re just on the wall in the middle of a set, make sure you don’t hang in the middle. Stay to the far right or left side and allow enough space for your lane mates to do a flip turn. If there’s more than two people in your lane, try to stay to the far right side so that if anyone else stops, they can hold on to the lane line and others can continue swimming. Make sure you pay attention to what the other swimmers are doing, and stay out of the way as best as possible when you’re resting.

Don’t Be A Road Block / Tailgater

Be conscious of the flow of traffic in your lane. If you are the slower swimmer in the lane, try not to push off right in front of a faster swimmer. Same goes if you are a faster swimmer, don’t push off right behind a slower swimmer. Give the other swimmers a reasonable amount of space, and if you need to pass someone make sure you do it quickly and with minimal disruption to your lane mates.

Circle Swim, DUH!

Just do it. And do your best to encourage others to as well. If someone asks to join your lane, say yes, but only if we circle swim. Its really not that hard to learn if you never have before. You just swim in a circle! AND, I heard you actually swim faster when everyone circle swims. Experts say it creates a current in the lane and even a tiny little whirlpool if you look close enough ;)

The Bottom Line: Communicate and use Common Sense!

Of course, and most importantly, make sure you have fun and enjoy our wonderful sport!

Adam Viccaro is an avid swimmer, coach, and the creator of the online swimming community @Virtual Swim Coach. Get tips on proper technique and motivation along with your 36 FREE practices HERE.

Funny and hilarious Mr. Bean (Rowan Atkinson) goes to the swimming pool, but what happens? :D Watch and laugh! Best Mr. Bean video ever made (in my opinion).
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Find More Swimming Articles

Filed Under: Swimming Tagged With: , , , ,

Smart Maternity Swim Suits

July 5, 2011 By jsupswim Leave a Comment

Whoever announces that pregnant ladies can’t use swim wear during their pregnancy is mistaken. Today, there are or swimming gear specifically built to cater the requirements of pregnant women. With the creation of swimming gear for moms-to-be, ladies can now hit the beach, wear the newest fashion in bikinis and show that baby bump during summer escapades. Before, some pregnant girls had to suffer watching folk in enjoying the cool waters. Actually, these pregnant ladies just read books or prepared the food during a family outing.


Swimming in pregnancy is a very effective form of exercise because the water supports your bump and takes away the pressure from your back, particularly in the latter stages. But do women need maternity swim suits for pregnancy or could they make do with their standard swimsuits?


Actually, my aunt is sort of a water nymph for she loves water so much. However, the difficulty was that she had no swim-wear that fitted her. We all know that most beaches have a rule that requires swim wear for men and women.


Some girls like to show off their exposed bump while others like to keep the bump under wraps.


During her 2nd pregnancy, she was happy to discover that a lot of boutiques are selling plus size swim wear. She suspected, “Why not use a plus size? It fits me, so I will use it.” When we went to the beach, her plus size swim wear is not basically good for her body, since it makes her swim uncomfortably as if the swim wear does not fit her. In terms of size, and size swim wear can be constant but on the actual use, it’s not.


Another good style is the “baby doll” which hangs loose and covers your bump whilst the briefs are far more fitted.


The EQ maternity swim wear by Brazilian Bikini is inspired by Harmony . But for those who desire it plain and straightforward, black color is available too. This means that it can raise curves that does not make the wearers look like mascots.


The development of swim wear or bikinis for ladies with baby bumps is truly profitable not just for sporty pregnant ladies but to all *pregnant women*. Swimming helps exercise and relax bodies of pregnant ladies. Occasionally, there are pregnancy trainings that need women to dip in the water while practicing delivery of the baby.


Today, girls, like my aunt, do not have to watch enviously at the sidelines while others are having fun in the water ; different motherhood swim-wear are here to make swimming possible for them.


Whatever style you opt for it is worth paying that bit more for a high quality swimming suit just because more attention will have been paid to design and comfort. Halter neck styles are great because they are able to be easily changed for additional support and styles that offer support around the bust are great for when your boobs start growing and becoming heavy. A good swimming suit should come with lined cups for restraint and if buying a style with separate shorts, then ones with tie sides are a good selection because they can be changed easily as you grow. Also choose a swimsuit that contains at least 20% spandex or lycra as this will give added support and help the costume maintain its shape in the water.


If you are going to be swimming on a regular basis then it’s a good idea to invest in a proper maternity swim suits as they are so much more content than a traditional swimming costume and some can be employed after the birth.


Tankinis work just as well as swimsuits for pregnancy and offer great versatility as normally the tops and bottoms can be acquired separately, so you have the option of mix and match. Another good style is the “baby doll” which hangs loose and covers your bump while the briefs are way more fitted.

Check out http://maternityswimsuits.info/ for more more information on maternity swim suits..

Filed Under: Swimming Tagged With: , , ,