welcome to Artistic Swimmming!
Cruisers Aquatics is a summer swim club - the majority of our programs are held between May 1st and mid August. We also have fall and winter maintenance programs, where kids practice artistic swimming once per week.
Artistic swimming is a combination of swimming, dance and gymnastics. A misconception about artistic swimming is that it is only for females - which is not true! Artistic swimming is open to all genders and Cruisers is proud to have multiple boys who participate in artistic swimming. Teams (groups of 3 to 10 individuals) or duets perform synchronized routines of choreographed moves in the water, accompanied by music. Cruisers artistic swimming teams are open to all gendered swimmers. Cruisers members have the option of training and participating in artistic swimming competitions throughout the summer.
Artistic Swimming summer Categories
Artistic swimming includes two components:
Figures which is individual component;
Routines which is the team component.
Both figure and team events have required components made by BCSSA. Artistic requires excellent aquatic skills, as well as core strength, endurance, flexibility, artistry and precise timing. Participants develop exceptional underwater breath control.
There are three competitive categories in BCSSA: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. Below are the levels and groups we offer during summer (May-August).
Intro to Artistic: For young swimmers who want to try artistic swimming, without the commitment of being on a team
Beginner: The youngest artistic swimmers that compete at Regionals and Provincials
Intermediate: Athletes with some past experience in synchro
Advanced: Older swimmers with multiple years’ experience in artistic and aquatic sports
Duets: Duets are available to every category and are the athletes choice! Just find a friend and attend our duet practices where coaches can help you put together a routine to your music of choice.
Artistic Swimming maintenace Categories
During maintenance (September - April) we offer:
Intro artistic swimming: for less experienced swimmers ages 5 - 8. This will be in a shallow pool.
Junior artistic swimming: for swimmers ages 8 - 9. This takes place in a deep pool, must be a strong swimmer.
Senior artistic swimming: for swimmers ages 10 & older. This takes place in a deep pool, must be a strong swimmer
Within the above practices, we divide swimmers up into groups based on skill level.
Training and Practices
Participants practice 2-3 times per week throughout the summer season, choreographing and working on routines, as well as working on the technical aspects of the sport called “figures”. As choreography depends on the entire team learning the routine and working together with the correct timing, it is highly recommended that swimmers attend as many practices as possible.
Practices start in May, where participants work on the basics of artistic and conditioning. Teams are formed in late May according to age, and to a lesser extent, past experience. Athletes with past competition experience may also choose to work with a partner and choreograph a duet.
Pools
Cruisers Aquatics has pool time across the North Shore. When you look at the calendar, in addition to times, it will also list the pool location for each practice.
Ron Andrews Community Recreation Centre: 931 Lytton St, North Vancouver
Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre: 123 East 23rd Street, North Vancouver
meets
Information on Artistic swimming competitions, practices, and important dates will be found in the calendar.
headcoach.artistic@cruisersaquatics.com director.artistic@cruisersaquatics.com