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6 Week Taster - DONE!

14/12/2014

All three AquaStars coaches are SO PROUD of all the swimmers who took part in the 6 Week Taster Course. All of the girls have worked very hard and got to show off their mini-routine this past Saturday with big smiles and even bigger lifts! Here are a couple of pictures from the final session. We also thank the lovely Gemma Broad of Rugby Synchro for coming in and performing her solo for the girls! I'm sure she's given the girls lots of inspiration and aspiration!

PS. Apologies as I am a pretty rubbish photographer! If there is anyone who would like to take on this role for the AquaStars, then please let me know!
Likewise, if any parents took some more photos during the session, then please email them to me - bscaquastars@hotmail.com
Thanks, Lenka

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UK Synchro Clubs

10/12/2014

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Unlike in the US, in the UK, Synchronised Swimming is not an individual organization with its own website/branding/hub of information. To find relevant and targeted information, you have to try and explore the ASA website and the British Swimming website which can be quite tricky whether you know what you're looking for or just browsing!

In my research before starting the AquaStars, I wanted to find out about other synchro clubs in the UK for guidance, inspiration and just due to my general curiosity. I couldn't find a comprehensive listing of synchro clubs anywhere... so I've made my own!

CLICK HERE FOR A FULL LISTING OF UK SYNCHRO CLUBS

PS - If I've left off a club... apologies! Send me details and I'll add you!

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What is an Assessor and Why do we need them?

8/12/2014

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WHAT IS AN ASSESSOR?
The role of the Assessor in Synchronised Swimming is to assess the performance of the swimmers against the criteria for each Skill Level.
During a Skills Day an Assessor would usually be given 1 Skill within 1 Skill Level to assess with different criteria within the 1 Skill to "tick" off per swimmer.
There are 4 types of Assessors - BASIC ASSESSOR, ASSESSOR, ADVANCED ASSESSOR and SENIOR ASSESSOR
BASIC ASSESSORS can only assess Skill Levels 1+2
ASSESSORS can assess Skill Levels 1,2+3 and must have assessed at two skills days previously as a Basic Assessor
ADVANCED ASSESSORS can assess Skill Levels 1-5
SENIOR ASSESSORS can do all 5 and be a National Judge.

        For example a Basic Assessor might assess: Skill Level 1. Skill #11 = "Torpedo Scull Travelling 8 Metres"
        On a tick sheet you would then pass or fail the following criteria per swimmer:
            1) body horizontal with hips, thighs and feet at surface
            2) shoulders pulled down and back with upper chest high
            3) back of neck extended, face parallel to water surface
            4) legs and ankles fully extended and squeezed towards each other
            5) Obvious tightness throughout the body and legs
            6) arms fully extended
            7) smooth continuous sculling action allowing smooth foot first travel with minimal disturbance of the water
            8) distance traveled 8 meters

*Assessors assess swimmers of all ages from all clubs/teams including their own.

WHY DO THE AQUASTARS NEED TRAINED ASSESSORS?
When the AquaStars will want to take swimmers to a Skills Assessment Day, we will need to bring at least 1 Assessor who will take part on the day and more Assessors depending on the number of swimmers participating.

The criteria to become a BASIC Assessor is as follows:

Have a basic knowledge of Synchronised Swimming
Have attended a one-day Basic Assessor training course, and passed an examination
Be 16 years of age or over
Be an ASA member

It is ideal for AquaStar PARENTS to become assessors as you will have a chance to learn directly what coaches/judges are looking out for and also, instead of spending a Skills Day bored in the stands... you can get involved and the time passes MUCH quicker! :)

If you are interested in attending a BASIC assessor course (usually a half-day weekend course), then please let me (Lenka) know. The course fee would be covered by BSC.

Lenka x

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Costumes!

5/12/2014

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Arguably one of the BEST bits of synchronised swimming is getting to wear sparkly swim suits for competitions. Take a look at some of these from London 2012!

Lenka x

PS... any creative mums/dads/siblings or sewing fiends amongst the AquaStars, speak up!

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Talent Development

3/12/2014

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It's a bit early doors for the AquaStars swimmers to be invited for talent development programmes, mainly because we haven't even been to a competition yet! However, it's never too early to be well informed. So on that note, attached is a document listing selection information for the England Talent Age Group and Development Squads for those competing in Age Group Nationals 2014 which are taking place this weekend. So this is for your information only.

Lenka x

england_talent_age_group_and_development_squad_selection_information1.pdf
File Size:	560 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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Hi Everyone!

2/12/2014

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I wanted to start up this blog section of the AquaStars website so that I could add important/useful and possibly just interesting updates about the AquaStars team and about synchro in general. Synchronised Swimming has been a passion of mine since I was little... and to prove it, here's a picture of me aged 9 as a Town of Tonawanda Water Wonder!

My husband sometimes asks which do I love more: him or synchro, and it's a tough one! Although usually I just respond by turning the question on him, and I just substitute synchro for golf and he completely understands my dilemma!

On a more topical note, if you haven't heard yet, FINA approved the inclusion of the Mixed Duet Event to the World Championships and they will have their debut in Kazan this summer! I know this is something that Bill May, who is an American synchronised swimmer and who I looked up to growing up, has been petitioning for his whole synchro career. Even more amazingly, he's still in great shape and therefore he can just jump right in and compete! That may not sound incredible, but the stamina needed for a 3.5min synchro duet routine is not something achieved in 1-2 practices, unlike a good golf swing ;) but it takes many hours of training to build up and Bill's clearly been going strong for 30 years in preparation!

Lenka x

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6 Week Taster - DONE!

UK Synchro Clubs

What is an Assessor and Why do we need them?

Costumes!

Talent Development

Hi Everyone!

Head Coach Lenka

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