Synchronised Swimming Awards

Swim England Synchronised Swimming Awards (Recreational Grades) are designed to help synchronised swimmers have their skills tested before entering competitions.

There are five national skill levels to the Swim England Synchronised Swimming Awards, and they offer athletes an increasing test of ability as they move from level one to five.

Note that not all swimmers may be tested during routines. Other people swimming while you are tested may or may not be taking the grade.

Also, a partner or team member may be at a higher or lower grade level than yourself during testing.

Head over to the Swim England’s Synchronised Swimming Sport Hub here to find out more about getting into synchronised swimming, joining a club, or keeping up to date on all synchro news.

Swim England Synchronised Swimming Awards Objectives

Synchronised Swimming Awards Level 1

To secure level 1 of the Swim England Synchronised Swimming Awards a swimmer must do the following:

  1. Synchro backstroke, 10 metres any variation of arms.
  2. Synchro breaststroke, 10 metres any variation of arms.
  3. Head first scull (standard scull) 10 metres.
  4. Support scull standing in the water.
  5. Eggbeater stationary.
  6. Travelling alternate bent knees (head first) minimum five metres travel; two bent knees on each leg.
  7. From back layout, somersault back tucked, return to back layout followed by an oyster.
  8. Counting to music. Two different tempos to be counted.
  9. Underwater swim five metres.
  10. Solo: 45 seconds plus or minus five seconds. With music of choice. Starting in water. Sequence must contain one stroke or stroke variation and one figure from above and eggbeater.

Synchronised Swimming Awards Level 2

To secure level 2 of the Swim England Synchronised Swimming Awards a swimmer must do the following:

  1. Synchro front crawl, 10 metres any variation of arms.
  2. Synchro breaststroke, smooth change to backstroke. Total distance 10 metres.
  3. Side flutter kick 10 metres.
  4. Reverse scoop scull five metres.
  5. Support scull in prone position, feet pressing against the wall.
  6. Eggbeater travelling sideways, five metres in each direction.
  7. Marlin 1/4 turn (one marlin).
  8. Flamingo position. Held for three seconds. Method of getting into and out of the position optional.
  9. Starting in flamingo position. Rotate backwards bringing legs together into a back tucked somersault, and surface in stationary eggbeater held for three seconds.
  10. Duet: 45 seconds plus or minus five seconds. With music of choice. Starting with foot first entry. Sequence must contain two strokes or stroke variations and two figures from above and travelling eggbeater. All movements must be synchronised.

Synchronised Swimming Awards Level 3

To secure level 3 of the Swim England Synchronised Swimming Awards a swimmer must do the following:

  1. Kick, pull, kick airplane, 10 metres.
  2. Side flutter kick five metres pull into front pike.
  3. Sprint torpedo for 20 metres.
  4. Hanging vertical held for five seconds with minimal sculling.
  5. Inverted tuck showing support scull.
  6. Eggbeater travelling sideways following arm demonstrating creative arms. Five metres in each direction.
  7. Travelling alternate ballet legs. Minimum five metres travel showing two ballet legs on each leg.
  8. Split position in the water 140°.
  9. Head first dive followed by a head first boost from underwater followed by a descent.
  10. Duet or group three to eight swimmers. One minute routine with music of choice. No deck work but feet first entries. Routine must include: three pattern changes, three strokes or stroke variations, two figures and travelling eggbeater. All movements must be synchronised. Swimmers to produce a pool plan.

Synchronised Swimming Awards Level 4

To secure level 4 of the Swim England Synchronised Swimming Awards a swimmer must do the following:

  1. From vertical position spin 180°.
  2. Sprint torpedo, stand up to side eggbeater. Approx 10 metres torpedo and three metres eggbeater.
  3. Sprint torpedo, roll onto front, tuck, head first boost and finish underwater.
  4. Side flutter kick into pike into fast front walkover followed by torpedo travel and ‘stand up’ to side eggbeater travel.
  5. Starting in an inverted bent knee position, 1⁄2 twist in bent knee followed by a join to vertical and a vertical descent.
  6. Eggbeater stationary both arms above head. Held for five seconds.
  7. Travelling ballet leg sequence. Demonstrate three of the following. Right leg ballet leg, left leg ballet leg, flamingo position right leg vertical, flamingo position left leg vertical, double ballet leg. Travel five metres.
  8. Head first boost from underwater catching with body above the surface.
  9. From split position, walkout to back layout, stand up to eggbeater travelling sideways.
  10. Duet one minute 30 seconds plus or minus 10 seconds. Must show: one partner lift plus strokes or stroke variations, figures, hybrids of choice. Other than the lift, all movements synchronised. Swimmers to produce a pool plan.

Synchronised Swimming Awards Level 5

To secure level 5 of the Swim England Synchronised Swimming Awards a swimmer must do the following:

  1. From vertical position full twist followed by a vertical descent.
  2. Sprint torpedo, double leg stand down, eggbeater travelling forwards three metres.
  3. Side flutter kick five metres into front pike into double leg flip over.
  4. Side fishtail travelling three metres (either leg leading).
  5. Starting in inverted bent knee, swap vertical leg, back tuck out and surface in eggbeater.
  6. Five metres underwater swim followed by head first boost lifting arms above the surface and finishing underwater.
  7. Barracuda thrust from pike to vertical and submerge. Feet may be submerged in pike position prior to thrust.
  8. Deck work and ‘creative’ entry. Any entry other than a straight jump or a plain header. Time limit 10 seconds.
  9. 20 second eggbeater sequence with partner (music optional). Must show travelling eggbeater with a change of direction, single and double arm creative movements.
  10. Duet or group of four to eight swimmers with music two minutes plus or minus 10 seconds. Must show one lift and six pattern changes otherwise all movements optional (as in a free routine). Swimmers to produce a pool plan.