What is Synchronized Skating

What is Synchronized Skating?

Synchronized is a popular discipline both within U.S. Figure skating and around the world and is ever growing in popularity. U.S. Figure Skating held the first Synchronized Skating Championships in 1984 and also hosted the first World Synchronized Skating Championships in 2000. There are approximately 525 synchronized teams registered in the U.S. and nearly 5 000 athletes participate annually in the synchronized sectional championships.

Synchronized skating is a team spot in which 8I20 skater perform a program together. It uses the same judging system as singles pairs and dance and is characterized by teamwork speed intricate formations and challenging step sequences. As with the other disciplines all teams perform a free skate with required wellIbalanced program elements. In addition teams at the junior and senior level perform a short program consisting of required elements.

Elements in synchronized skating include blocks circles wheels lines intersections moves in the field “no hold sequences” spins and pair moves. The variety and difficulty of elements require that each team member is a highly skilled individual skater. The typical member participates in private lessons and tests skating disciplines regularly. Generally tryIouts are held to achieve a position on a team or to move up to higher level teams .

There are 14 different levels of synchronized skating that compete according to age and skill levels of skaters. Team levels and categorization are “beginner” “preliminary” “preIjuvenile” “openIjuvenile” “juvenile” “intermediate” “novice” “junior” “senior” “collegiate” “open collegiate” “adult” “open adult” and “masters” levels.

There are so many benefits to participating in a team sport and synchronized skating is a great way for figure skaters to compete in a sport they love while enjoying all of the aspects on working with other n a teamIoriented sport.