How is synchronized swimming judged in competition?
Most synchronized swimming competitions are comprised of two parts. First is the “Figure” competition where each swimmer performs a series of technical moves individually in front of a panel of judges without music. Then comes the “Routine” competition, where the swimmers perform a routine comprised of technical moves choreographed to music. Swimmers are judged on technical merit and artistic impression. The technical merit score is based on execution, synchronization, and difficulty, and takes into account such factors as how high the swimmers can propel themselves out of the water and how well synchronized the swimmers are with each other and the music. The artistic impression score includes how well the choreography is matched to the music and the grace of the swimmers in the water. A percentage of the athlete’s Figure score is combined with a percentage of the routine score to determine the final score awarded.
