A handbook explaining the skills, techniques, exercises, and musical interpretation involved in synchronized swimming.

Synchronschwimmen, Coaching, Training.

It’s summer behind the Iron Curtain, and six girls are about to swim their way to the Olympics — and a new life. In an unnamed Soviet state, six girls meet each day to swim. At first, they play, splashing each other and floating languidly on the water’s surface. But soon the game becomes something more. They hone their bodies relentlessly. Their skin shades into bruises. They barter cigarettes stolen from the factory where they work for swimsuits to stretch over their sunburnt skin. They tear their legs into splits, flick them back and forth, like herons. They force themselves to stop breathing. When they find themselves representing their country as synchronised swimmers in the Olympics, they seize the chance they have been waiting for to escape and begin new lives. Scattered around the globe, six women live in freedom. But will they ever be able to forget what they left behind?

From novelty tricks in swim classes, through the Aquacades and movies, to the highly complex Olympic competitions--this history of synchronized swimming tells how the sport grew, examines the role the United States has played in its worldwide development, and describes the status of synchronized swimming in world sporting events today. Among the topics covered are competition development, development around the United States, rules and technical changes, and leadership (from volunteers to a National Office). Four appendices list major award winners, U.S. National Champions, the results of major international competitions, and U.S. participation in international events. The work boasts photographs from the first trial national competition in 1942 to the World Championships of 2003, as well as a full bibliography.

Children's chapter book geared toward girls ages 5-8 introduces the Olympic sport of synchronized swimming and teaches life lessons including the values of friendship and perseverance. Written and published by a teenaged swimmer (and first time author) to help grow the sport she loves. All profits from book sales go directly to USA Synchro.

"The workplace is stressful these days. Sync or Swim is a refreshing story of a sheepdog and a puffin that helps us to solve a frustrating mystery: Why do morale-building programs often hurt morale . . . and why does communicating appreciation too often result in cynical reactions? In Sync or Swim, you'll follow an organizational manager and the challenges he has to overcome: - A threating storm rapidly approaching the island - The expectation to do more with less - Complaining, negative team members - Morale of loyal employees who feel undervalued - Long history of mismanagement It's a small tale with great wisdom, a classic insight into the ways expressing authentic appreciation can change everything-and help us survive the storms that threaten us in work and life"--

Do you have a daughter who loves swimming? Is she the child you can't get out of the pool to have lunch or put more lotion on? Does she also like to dance, listen to music, or play dress up? If any of these things apply, you might have a "Water Ballerina" or "Synchronized Swimmer" on your hands!This book tells the story of how author, Diane Garcia (Wendy Willow), first learned synchronized swimming when she was11 years old, at a swim club in Staten Island, NY. It is beautifully illustrated in watercolor by one of her former coaches, Ida Noelle Calumpang, a former member of the Philippine National Synchronized Swimming Team.It includes pictures of figures and patterns performed in synchronized swimming, and follows Diane's (Wendy's) journeyfrom a NERVOUS first-time synchronized swimmer to a truly SELF-CONFIDENT ONE!The book is appropriate for children ages 4-8.The forward of the book is a letter to parents explaining the benefits of this sport and includes a website to find synchronized swimming classes anywhere in the U.S. There is also an email address on the last page where parents andchildren can write to Diane and chat about "Synchro"!Diane Garcia, a NYC elementary school teacher, wrote this book to increase awareness of this BEAUTIFUL/FUN sport! Synchronized Swimming has given her JOY and LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPS, as well as, SWIMMING, the BEST FORM OFEXERCISE THERE IS!She was compelled to write this book to share with young children the FUN she was having, and to plant a seed ofinterest in their minds.Synchronized Swimming has kept up with the times and now uses all types of music, including pop and hip hop.There are regional and national competitions for people ages 10-90 in the U.S. and internationally. The internationalcompetitions have also begun to include male synchronized swimmers!SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING ISN'T JUST FOR OLYMPIC SWIMMERS, IT'S FOR EVERYONE!