What is Synchronized Swimming Called Now?

The world of aquatic sports is as dynamic as the water it inhabits, constantly evolving in its nomenclature and presentation. For decades, a particular discipline captivated audiences with its blend of athleticism, artistry, and precision: synchronized swimming. However, in recent years, this beloved sport has undergone a significant rebranding, a shift that reflects a broader understanding of its complexity and its aspirations on the global stage. The question of “what is synchronized swimming called now?” is not merely about a name change; it’s about acknowledging the sport’s maturation and its expanded scope.

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The Evolution of a Name: From Synchronized Swimming to Artistic Swimming

The official change in terminology from synchronized swimming to artistic swimming was formally adopted by FINA (now World Aquatics), the international governing body for aquatic sports, in 2017. This wasn’t a sudden whim but rather a deliberate decision born from years of discussion and a desire to better represent the multifaceted nature of the discipline.

Why the Change? Unpacking the Rationale

The term “synchronized swimming”, while descriptive, had begun to feel increasingly limiting. It primarily highlighted one crucial element of the sport – the synchronization between swimmers and with the music. However, this focus often overshadowed the other equally vital components that contribute to a winning performance.

Artistry Beyond Synchronization: Artistic swimming is not solely about perfect timing. It involves intricate choreography, powerful athleticism, and a profound artistic expression that evokes emotion and tells a story. The “artistic” in the new name directly addresses this. It encompasses the grace of ballet, the dramatic flair of theater, and the thematic storytelling that swimmers strive to convey in their routines.
Technical Prowess: Beneath the seemingly effortless execution lies a bedrock of immense technical skill. Swimmers perform complex acrobatic elements, demanding strength and flexibility, often underwater and with limited visibility. They execute sculls, eggbeaters, and lifts that require incredible core strength and precise body control. These technical feats are as critical as synchronization, if not more so, in achieving a high score.
Athleticism and Endurance: The physical demands of artistic swimming are often underestimated. Swimmers train rigorously, developing the endurance to perform demanding routines for several minutes without faltering, the strength to lift partners, and the breath control to remain submerged for extended periods. The sport requires a level of cardiovascular fitness, muscular power, and stamina comparable to many other elite athletic disciplines.
Global Recognition and Appeal: The rebranding aimed to elevate the sport’s profile and appeal to a wider international audience. The term “artistic” is universally understood and conveys the aesthetic and creative dimensions that are central to the sport. This move was also intended to align the sport with other artistic disciplines and potentially attract new fans and sponsors.

The Impact of the Name Change

The transition to “artistic swimming” has been met with generally positive reception within the sport. Athletes, coaches, and federations have largely embraced the new name, recognizing its ability to encapsulate the full spectrum of what the sport entails.

Shifting Perceptions: The change has been instrumental in shifting public perception. Audiences are now more likely to appreciate the sport not just for its synchronized elements but for the complete package of athleticism, creativity, and performance art.
Enhanced Media Coverage: With a more comprehensive name, the sport has seen an improved ability to articulate its value proposition to media outlets. This can translate into more nuanced and engaging coverage that delves deeper into the training, strategy, and artistic vision behind each routine.
Recruitment and Development: For aspiring athletes, the name “artistic swimming” may also be more appealing, highlighting the creative and performance aspects that can draw individuals who might not otherwise consider a sport perceived solely as “synchronized.”

Key Components of Artistic Swimming

While the name has evolved, the core elements that define the sport remain fundamental. Understanding these components is crucial to appreciating the depth and complexity of artistic swimming.

Technical Elements

These are the foundational skills that every artistic swimmer must master. They are judged rigorously for their execution, precision, and difficulty.

Sculling: A continuous hand movement used to propel and stabilize the swimmer in the water without the use of leg kicks. Various sculling techniques exist, each serving a specific purpose in maintaining position and allowing for arm movements.
Eggbeater Kick: A powerful leg kick that allows swimmers to lift their bodies high out of the water, often used for spectacular lifts and aerial maneuvers. It requires significant strength and coordination.
Lifts and Throws: Acrobatic elements where one or more swimmers propel another swimmer out of the water, creating dynamic and visually striking moments. These demand exceptional teamwork, strength, and trust.
Underwater Work: A significant portion of routines is performed underwater, showcasing breath-holding capabilities, intricate movements, and the ability to maintain synchronization and spatial awareness while submerged.

Artistic Impression

This category is where the “artistic” aspect truly shines. Judges evaluate the overall presentation, music interpretation, choreography, and expression.

Choreography: The strategic arrangement of movements, including technical elements, transitions, and thematic development, designed to create a cohesive and engaging performance.
Music Interpretation: The ability of the swimmers to embody the rhythm, melody, and emotion of the chosen music through their movements and facial expressions.
Performance and Expression: The conveyance of character, emotion, and narrative through the swimmers’ body language, facial expressions, and overall stage presence.
Teamwork and Synchronization: While not the sole focus, the seamless coordination between swimmers, both in their movements and their interaction with each other, remains a critical aspect of a successful artistic swimming performance. This includes synchronization with partners in duets and synchronized teams, as well as with the music.

Other Crucial Aspects

Beyond the technical and artistic elements, several other factors contribute to the overall success and perception of artistic swimming.

Difficulty: The inherent challenge and complexity of the movements, patterns, and combinations performed by the swimmers. Higher difficulty scores are awarded for more demanding routines.
Stamina and Strength: As previously mentioned, the physical demands are immense. Swimmers must possess exceptional cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength, and endurance to execute their routines at a high level throughout their duration.
Flexibility and Agility: The ability to move the body through a wide range of motion with control and fluidity is essential for executing complex choreography and acrobatic elements.
Breath Control: The capacity to hold one’s breath for extended periods while performing strenuous activities is a hallmark of artistic swimmers, enabling their impressive underwater work.

The Future of Artistic Swimming

The rebranding to artistic swimming is more than just a cosmetic change; it’s a strategic move to position the sport for greater recognition, growth, and engagement. As the sport continues to evolve, we can expect further innovations in choreography, technology integration (such as underwater audio systems), and expanded competitive formats.

The journey from synchronized swimming to artistic swimming reflects a sport that has matured, embraced its multifaceted nature, and is poised for a bright future on the global sporting stage. It’s a testament to the dedication of its athletes and the vision of its governing bodies to present a discipline that is as intellectually stimulating and artistically profound as it is physically demanding. The question of “what is synchronized swimming called now?” is answered with a name that truly encapsulates its essence: artistic swimming.