Starting Out

Getting into artistic swimming couldn’t be easier. Children looking to take up the sport need to:

1. Learn the basics as part of the Swim England Learn to Swim Programme
2. Join a club to develop and progress through their artistic swimming grades

Childen can be introduced to the sport as part of the Swim England Learn to Swim Programme while there are also opportunities for adults to get involved to improve their fitness or simply to try something new.

For more on joining an artistic swimming club go to our Find a Club page here.

Getting into artistic swimming through swimming lessons

Getting into artistic swimming can be done as part of swimming lessons. These can be delivered by a club or by your pool operator.

Ask your swimming teacher about it. It is known as stages, or levels, 8-10 of the Aquatics Skills Framework (click the images below for what you need to do to pass stages 8-10 in artistic swimming).

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  Learn To Swim Synchro: Stage 8

  Requirements for Level 8

  1. Demonstrate two stationary floating positions, one with good body extension and one tightly tucked into a mushroom float.
  2. Perform a handstand with hands on the bottom of pool, legs together and feet pointed.
  3. Demonstrate stationary eggbeater – floatation equipment may be used.
  4. Swim 5 metres using synchro backstroke (or variation), into 5 metres synchro breaststroke (or variation).
  5. Perform a back layout, scull continuously for 3 metres head first, followed by a rapid back tuck somersault.
  6. Perform the figure tub.
  7. Perform a sequence individually, in pairs or in a group, using a variety of skills (minimum of three) learnt previously and in this stage.
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  Learn To Swim Synchro: Stage 9

  Requirements for Level 9

  1. Perform a handstand with hands on the bottom of pool and back against the wall of the pool demonstrating a vertical line.
  2. Perform a back layout into a bent knee position and back to back layout – floatation equipment may be used (bottles).
  3. Scull continuously in a back layout position for 3 metres feet first, followed by a 180 degrees tub and a rapid back tuck somersault.
  4. Perform the figure oyster.
  5. Perform 3 metres synchro breaststroke (or variation) with a smooth transition into eggbeater travelling sideways for 3 metres.
  6. Perform an entry from the poolside, surface the water on the back, perform 3 metres using synchro backstroke.
  7. Perform a sequence individually, in pairs or in a group using a variety of skills (minimum of five) from this stage or from Learn to Swim Stage 8
  8. Synchro, to include at least one stroke, eggbeater and one figure.
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  Learn To Swim Synchro: Stage 10

  Requirements for Level 10

  1. Perform a stationary handstand or vertical holding the side of the pool, back against the wall with good extension.
  2. Perform the figure ballet leg with floatation equipment or use of pool side to support horizontal leg.
  3. Perform the figure back tuck somersault.
  4. Swim 5 metres using straight arm backstroke synchronised with a partner. Music may be used.
  5. Demonstrate support scull standing on bottom of the pool.
  6. Perform a stationary back layout for five seconds, into sculling head first moving into bent knee, followed by a rapid ballet leg into a rapid back tuck somersault.
  7. Perform a sequence individually, in pairs or in a group starting with an entry from poolside using a variety of skills (minimum of eight) from this stage or from Learn to Swim Stage 8 or 9 Synchro. Include at least two strokes, travelling sculling, eggbeater; a fast figure and a controlled figure.
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Getting into artistic swimming through Swim England Awards

Swim England’s Artistic Swimming Grade Awards are progressive stages that introduce figures over six stages and routine skills over five stages.

This pathway is also the entry qualification for competition at all levels of the sport.

The Grade Awards offer swimmers a tangible way of monitoring their progress and success as they move through each grade, collecting stickers for bronze, silver and gold levels to track incremental improvements within each grade. Each certificate also come with matching pin badges they can showcase on their bags and club kit.

Find out more about the artistic swimming grades in our artistic swimmer development pages where you can watch videos demonstrating each element for each stage of the grading pathway.

How do adults get involved?

There are an increasing number of opportunities for adults to get involved with artistic swimming in England.

Whether it is for fitness or a new challenge, you can learn artistic swimming at a number of clubs across the country.

• Click here to find out more about Masters artistic swimming.