What is Synchronised Swimming?
It is one to eight swimmers, with the skills of a gymnast and the presence of a dancer, add some music and the result is synchronised swimming.
It is a sport that can be enjoyed by both boys and girls of any age depending only on their ability to swim (see minimum entry standard required by the clubs below).
There are three clubs in Leeds that cater for synchronised swimming
Leeds Kingfishers are based at the Kippax leisure centre.
- Minimum entry standard: ability to swim 50 metres and pick up an object from the pool floor
Their training times are:
- Tuesday 7.00pm to 8.00pm
- Saturday 3.30pm to 5.30pm
For more information visit the Leeds Kingfishers website
Pudsey Pearls are based at Pudsey leisure centre
Preferred standard; City of Leeds Dolphin 8 (swimming) or any City of Leeds Dolphin synchronised swimming certificate or equivalent
Their training times are:
- Friday 8pm to 9pm Aireborough leisure centre
- Sunday 6pm to 8pm Pudsey leisure centre (first hour stretching in community room)
For more information visit the Pudsey Pearls website
Both clubs are Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) affiliated and compete in local and national events
City of Leeds synchronised swimming club
The City of Leeds synchronised swimming club is the newest synchronised swimming club in Leeds it caters for synchronised swimmers who hold the ASA synchronised swimming skill level 3 and above.
All the members must remain a member of their original synchronised swimming club or join either the Pudsey Pearls or the Leeds Kingfishers.
Membership is by invitation and assessment; any one invited to the trials must either hold the ASA synchronised swimming skill level appropriate to their age (national age groups criteria) or be capable of achieving this.
The club will hold several assessment days during the year so that potential members can be invited to join if they show definite ability to achieve the minimum standard for their age. The Club's main training venue is the aquatics centre at the John Charles centre for sport.
For more information please visit the City of Leeds synchronised swimming club website
Competitions can consist of any or all of the following:
- Figures; gymnastic type skills performed individually
- Solo
- Duet
- Team
- Combination team; solo, duet, and team in a single routine
The competitions are marked on technique as in gymnastics and diving and also presentation as in dancing; (The 'figures' competitions are marked on technique only)
To encourage synchronised swimming the council have introduced a series of certificates for the sport as part of their Dolphin Swimming Awards Scheme.
For more information call the Swimming Development office on: 0113 24 75250