In January 2017, Swim England Synchronised Swimming instigated a new Grade system for athletes - Figure Grades and Routine Grades. This replaced the previous Skill Levels exam system.
As you progress as a synchronised swimmer you will need to have your synchro grades tested before you can enter certain competitions.
When you have reached an appropriate standard Coaches will put you forwards for these grade assessments which take place at Regional level throughout the year. The examination fee is £15.00 -£17.50.
Learn about the different requirements here.
Figure Grades
There are six figures grades which provide an increasing test of ability for athletes on their age group figures.
These grades support swimmer long term athlete development (LTAD) and ensure each athlete performs to their very best standard before moving to their next grade.
Each grade has three levels (gold, silver and bronze) so all athletes have the ability to perfect their figures before moving to the next grade.
Select one of the grades below to read more about it and watch videos of each element.
Figure grade 1 : www.swimming.org/synchro/figure-grade-1/
Figure Grade 2 : www.swimming.org/synchro/figure-grade-2/
Figure Grade 3 www.swimming.org/synchro/figure-grade-3/
Figure Grade 4 www.swimming.org/synchro/figure-grade-4/
Figure Grade 5 www.swimming.org/synchro/figure-grade-5/
Figure Grade 6 www.swimming.org/synchro/figure-grade-6/
Routine Grades
There are five routine grades which provide an increasing test of ability for athletes on their routine skills.
Currently Routine grades are not a requirement for entry level into competitions but are due to be used in the near future. At present WDSSC have not entered many swimmers into the Routine grade strand as we feel it is important for swimmers to gain the Figure grades required first.
These grades compliment the figure grades and ensure athletes are developing their transitions, speed of movement and hybrids ready for solos, teams and routines as they develop.
Select one of the grades below to read more about it and watch videos of each element.
Routine Grade 1: www.swimming.org/synchro/routine-grade-1/
Routine Grade2: www.swimming.org/synchro/routine-grade-2/
Routine Grade 3: www.swimming.org/synchro/routine-grade-3/
Routine Grade 4: www.swimming.org/synchro/routine-grade-4/
Routine Grade 5: www.swimming.org/synchro/routine-grade-5/
Land Grades
These are in planning and have not yet been introduced
Current Grade Levels of Witney Synchronised Swimmers
|
GRADE 5 SILVER |
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Emma Johns/ Phoebe Muir/Kata Soros/Katherine Stevenson |
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GRADE 5 BRONZE |
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Flora Kershaw/Eve Ray/WeiYen Tan |
|
GRADE 4 BRONZE |
|
Eleanor Bisp/Amelia Bolton/ Issy Booth |
|
GRADE 3 BRONZE |
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Sophie Ball/ Maisie Cooke/Olivia Eaves/Bethany Howell/Carys Mead/ Eve Nelson/Freya Parker/Charlotte Rothery |
|
GRADE 2 BRONZE |
|
GRADE 1 BRONZE |
|
Abi Barnett/Poppy Claridge/Dara Jones/Flora Lukacs/Millie Parker/Isabel Simpkins/ Julia Sosnowska/Megan Thomas/Isabella Turnbull/Kaitlyn Willis |
|
|
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Grade 1 Routine |
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Poppy Claridge/Maisie Cooke/Olivia Eaves/Bethany Howell/ Isabel Simpkins/Julia Sosnowska/Kaitlyn Willis |
SS 10 Judgement of Figures
SS 10.1 All judgements are made from the standpoint of perfection.
Design: Consider: the accuracy of positions and transitions as specified in figure description.
Control: Consider: extension, height, stability, clarity, uniform motion, unless otherwise specified in the figure description
Figures are executed in a stationary position (unless otherwise specified in the figure description).
SS 10.1.1 The competitor can obtain points from 0 – 10 using 1/10th points.
Perfect 10
Near perfect 9.9 to 9.5
Excellent 9.4 – 9.0
Very Good 8.9 – 8.0
Good 7.9 – 7.0
Competent 6.9 – 6.0
Satisfactory 5.9 – 5.0
Deficient 4.9 – 4.0
Weak 3.9 – 3.0
Very weak 2.9 – 2.0
Hardly recognisable 1.9 – 0.1
Completely failed 0
SS 17 Judgement of Routines
SS 17.2.1 First Score – Execution Score -30%
| Consider | Solo | Duet | Team
Free Combination Highlight |
| EXECUTION, the level of excellence in performing highly specialised skills.
Execution of all movements |
90% | 50% | 50% |
| SYNCHRONISATION; the precision of movement in unison, one with the other, and the accompaniment above, at and below the surface. Synchronisation of timing of one with another and with music. | 10% | 50% | 50% |
SS 17.2.2 Second Score – Artistic Impression Score 40%
| Consider | Solo | Duet | Team
Free Combination Highlight |
| CHOREOGRAPHY, the creative skill of composing a routine that combines artistic and technical elements. The design of weaving together a variety and creativity of all movements | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| MUSIC INTERPRETATION- expressing the mood of the music, use of the music’s structure | |||
| MANNER OF PRESENTATION-the manner in which the swimmer(s) present(s) the routine to the viewers. The total command of the performance of the routine |
SS 17.2.3 Third Score – Difficulty Score 30%
| Consider | Solo | Duet | Team
Free Combination Highlight |
| Difficulty -the quality of being hard to achieve. Difficulty of all movements and synchronisation. | 100% | 100% | 100% |