A quick dual comment about synchronized swimming:
A) it's ridiculous in so many ways, from the constant smiling and ultra enunciated, Prussian body language, to the nearly hissy-fit splashing frenzy and nose clips that make these women look like painter Wilhem De Kooning's weasel women models
B) despite this, the top practitioners of the sport make it also one of the most amazing displays of human talent you can imagine
Did any of you see the Martin Short/Harry Shearer male synchronized swimming spoof on SNL? A classic. This shows how easy it is to lampoon the sport.
On the other hand, I watched some of the FINA coverage of SS last week, and I am still in awe that our species is capable of execting such maneurvers in such perfect synchrony.
Utterly unbeliveable. Maybe USMS should have a synchronized swimming competition at one of the national championships. If they open this up to any one who wants to do it, are there any 50-54 year old males who would like to form a team with me? I think we should be allowed to use snorkels, though. Or scuba tanks.
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Can't say I'm a Synchro fan, but I can recognize that to be good at their sport takes determination,skill and hard work, they're definitely athletes. About fifteen years ago the US national team was at the college for some practice and photo ops during our water polo practice, and those ladies were studly ! I would liken the synchro routine to swimming a 400 IM where you only breath at the walls (25m/yrd pool - effort and breath control).
The Short/Shearer SNL skit is a classic, if you use that as your measuring stick then I guess I can assume your impression of lifeguards (the Jim Carrey lifeguard skit is another all time favorite classic).
Can't say I'm a Synchro fan, but I can recognize that to be good at their sport takes determination,skill and hard work, they're definitely athletes. About fifteen years ago the US national team was at the college for some practice and photo ops during our water polo practice, and those ladies were studly ! I would liken the synchro routine to swimming a 400 IM where you only breath at the walls (25m/yrd pool - effort and breath control).
The Short/Shearer SNL skit is a classic, if you use that as your measuring stick then I guess I can assume your impression of lifeguards (the Jim Carrey lifeguard skit is another all time favorite classic).
