But since it came up at the Held2gether troupe shindig last Sunday, I figured I might as well run with it. Or, uh, swim with it, as the case may be.
According to Wikipedia, "Synchronized swimming demands advanced water skills, and requires great strength, endurance, flexibility, grace, artistry and precise timing, as well as exceptional breath control when upside down underwater." I don't care what they say, I still can't believe it's a friggin' Olympic sport. Mainly cuz it's not a sport. But I digress.
The main reason I liked synchronized swimming is because I grew up in a place with average summer temperatures akin to Hell, and the pool was the best place to be. Some other reasons included:
- I could hold my breath for a couple minutes, and I liked to show off.
- From the bleachers, nobody in the audience can distinguish the swimmers, so if you screw up, they can't prove it was you.
- Since you can't hear the music underwater, you just have to count to keep in sync. I can't follow music to save my life, but I am pretty proficient in counting.
- Did I mention I grew up in Hell?
| Synchro | Improv |
|---|---|
| Totally pre-planned and choreographed | Created in the moment |
| Matching costumes | Regular clothes |
| In a swimming pool | On a stage or in a coffee house, bar or living room |
| Everyone does the same thing | Everyone creates a different character |
| No speaking | Speaking |
| Holding your breath is important | Holding your breath is bad |
| Mildly entertaining to do, boring to watch | Incredibly challenging and fun to do, hilarious to watch |
And now you know the differences between synchronized swimming and improv. You're welcome.
By Sonnjea Blackwell
