Synchronized swimmers are athletes who develop the skill, endurance and strength comparable to a variety of other sports.
They must have the flexibility and skill of a gymnast, yet perform underwater;
swim the distance of a 400-meter freestyle event with little opportunity to breathe;
perform the figures, leaps and spins of a figure skater either upside down in water or balanced on the shoulders of her floating team mates; emerge above the surface of the water with the power and strength of a water polo player but with the elegance and grace of a ballerina;
and� do all of this to music while synchronized to the second with up to seven other swimmers swimming within inches of one another.
The United States Synchronized Swimming web site has detailed information about the sport. To visit the web site click here: http://www.usasynchro.org
