welcome to Artistic Swimmming!
Cruisers Aquatics is a summer swim club - the majority of our artistic 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) perform synchronized routines of choreographed moves in the water, accompanied by music. Cruisers members have the option of training and participating in artistic swimming competitions throughout the summer.
Artistic Swimming summer Categories
Artistic swimming consists of a mandatory “technical” routine and an optional “free” routine.
A technical routine requires swimmers to perform sets of predetermined elements in a specific order. These elements are mandatory and are designed to showcase the swimmers’ technical skills and precision. The routine is judged based on the execution of these elements, synchronization, and overall presentation. The required elements vary by level.
A free routine allows for greater creativity and artistic expression. There are no required elements, and the focus is on the creativity of the choreography, the interpretation of the music, and overall artistic impression.
Competitions only occur during the Summer; Cruisers typically will only compete with a technical routine for each level (Beginner, Intermediate, and Advance) though may choose to additional create free routines should there be enough commitment from swimmers and availability of coaches.
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. Ages 5-8 yo typically.
Beginner: The youngest artistic swimmers that compete at Regionals and Provincials. Ages 8-10 yo typically.
Intermediate: Athletes with some past experience in artistic swimming. Ages 11yo+
Advanced: Older swimmers with multiple years’ experience in artistic and aquatic sports or younger swimmers with many years of artistic swimming experience.
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. IMPORTANT UPDATE - Change in Programming: Winter maintenance (January-April 2025), will be the last session that we are offering our Splash program for all disciplines. Starting in Summer 2025 athletes should be able to swim one length (25metres) unassisted.
Junior artistic swimming: for swimmers ages 8 - 10. This takes place in a deep pool, must be a strong swimmer.
Senior artistic swimming: for swimmers ages 11 & 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. As artistic swimming is a team sport, if your swimmer chooses to sign up to compete they are expected to attend the majorty of practices included any mandatory pool times, and should not be away for large periods of time during the Summer. If you cannot commit to competitive, we offer a low-stress fun recreational program where kids will still learn a routine and present it for fun at our year end Water Show.
Practices start in May, where participants work on the basics of artistic and conditioning. Teams are formed in mid-May according to age, and to a lesser extent, past experience.
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