This article isn’t just about doing laps up and down a pool.

No.

Synchronized swimming, or as some people put it “gymnastics in water,” is an extremely unique physical and artistic sport.

Up to 40 swimmers come together to form a team and perform a routine together in the water in unison.
Synchronized swimming is uncommon in Connecticut; one of these few teams, the New Canaan Y Aquianas, practices three times a week for three to four hours. Their practicing and performing lasts all year long.

Lauranne De Vos, a member of the Aquianas, and someone with tremendous swimming strength, has been doing what she calls “synchro” for about two years now, and she loves it.

Synchronized swimming pushes her to become more determined at what she is doing. If she puts her mind to something, it is hard to change it. Synchro builds your patience and team camaraderie.
“I love synchro because I can do it with my friends,” she said.

Her coach, Liz Hogan, encourages her to keep pushing herself, which is one of the reasons why Lauranne likes her so much. Lauranne says that one of the best parts about going to synchro is “having an awesome coach.”

Coach Liz is also very patient with Lauranne. “I’m hard to be patient with, which is why I like Coach Liz so much,” said Lauranne.

The skills and effort needed to do synchronized swimming are back breaking.
Literally, they are back breaking. In order to do this sport well, being flexible is crucial. For example, sometimes, synchronized swimmers have to do a split underwater, upside down. The ability to move quickly through water requires an incredible amount of strength, particularly leg strength.

Another thing that is vital when doing synchronized swimming is having a large lung capacity because at certain points during the routines, swimmers are underwater for over thirty seconds. Not only that, but they are treading water the whole time. This sport is also performed in the Summer Olympics. Many countries such as Japan, Spain, and Russia have won nearly 150 gold medals combined.

Therefore, if you’re looking for a new activity to do, try synchronized swimming, because you may actually enjoy the thrill of dancing in water.