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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I've always said that the most fit athletes were synchro swimmers - they are underwater doing difficult maneuvers for far longer than most swimmers can. (Most of us still breath out of our turns because we lack the capacity to swim without oxygen). They also have amazing strength - they are able to propel either their entire torso out of the water or their entire lower half. Most swimmers have difficulty treading water with their arms above the surface.
BUT - it is really silly to debate this. We don't have to belittle other sports to make us look or feel better. Most people who do not swim think that it is pretty silly swimming up and down over a black line for hours a week and then racing just to beat a personal best- especially those swimmers who are not and will never be Olympic swimmers. They view us doing this for recreation - not as athletes. We need to work to change this view of our sport rather than spending energy degrading other aquatic sports.
I've always said that the most fit athletes were synchro swimmers - they are underwater doing difficult maneuvers for far longer than most swimmers can. (Most of us still breath out of our turns because we lack the capacity to swim without oxygen). They also have amazing strength - they are able to propel either their entire torso out of the water or their entire lower half. Most swimmers have difficulty treading water with their arms above the surface.
BUT - it is really silly to debate this. We don't have to belittle other sports to make us look or feel better. Most people who do not swim think that it is pretty silly swimming up and down over a black line for hours a week and then racing just to beat a personal best- especially those swimmers who are not and will never be Olympic swimmers. They view us doing this for recreation - not as athletes. We need to work to change this view of our sport rather than spending energy degrading other aquatic sports.
