The equipment you need to start in artistic swimming

Because no swimmer wants to find themselves performing a 4-minute choreography without a nose clip (I'll let you discover Justine's anecdote below), or with a swimsuit that barely supports you... Here are our tips to find out everything about the essential accessories for artistic swimming.

The winning trio: swim cap / goggles / nose clip

The swim cap

Mandatory in every pool! First of all for hygienic reasons but, in sync, also for practical reasons.

Upside down, your feet out of the water vertically or back-pedalling with both arms raised, your hair must not bother you, which is why a swim cap is essential. Choose a silicone cap so that it properly fits your head.

Our tip: If you are used to putting detangler without rinsing on your hair, remember to rinse it before putting on your silicone cap, otherwise you will feel as if you are loosing it all the time… That's what happens!

Goggles

In this case, several options are possible!

The so-called “Swedish” goggles, which have the particularity of being self-assembled, are particularly appreciated by experienced synchro swimmers. Consisting of goggles, a nose bridge and an elastic band around your head, you can easily assemble goggles that fit your body type. They do not have lens frames, so they offer the greatest field of vision, a quality much sought after if you swim in a team. Finally, another good argument: they are among the cheapest goggles on the market.

If you are a beginner and are looking for a more comfortable model but which remains watertight, we invite you to do the “suction cup test”, which in a few seconds will allow you to identify the model that suits your face.

The nose clip

Unless you have a naturally closed nasal septum like Virginie Dedieu (triple world champion in solo artistic swimming and technical partner of DECATHLON), you will undoubtedly need a nose clip. This small object is essential for practising artistic swimming, since it prevents water from entering your nostrils in all “upside down” positions underwater. It will quickly become your new best friend! To choose it, take into account several factors such as shape, size and colour.

The most widespread shape ~in sync swimming worldwide is that of the 'Stainless steel Latex' nose clip. It provides the best possible support and the stainless steel lower section is also adjustable. Just as with goggles, if you are a beginner, choose a slightly more comfortable and practical model, which is the case with the floating nose clip, which young swimmers will appreciate finding on the surface if they lose it. The choice of shape is highly personal and will probably be based on experience. Borrow nose clips from your team-mates to try them all before making your choice ‌

Size~ S or M, it is important to try to find out your nose size and therefore your nose clip. You have to choose the right size so that it is well suited to your nose, that it closes your nostrils enough without hurting you.

‌The colour~It all depends on the discretion with which you wish to wear this small object.~The most common model is flesh-coloured, but there are also transparent, grey and even blue ones…

How to put on your nose clip on so that it fits well

This is Justine, a former swimmer who now works for DECATHLON and shares her experience ... “We had a ballet on the music of the film Vidocq (which did not really make much of an impact ...). Someone had the idea on the day of the competition to make up our faces silver grey, in reference to the Vidocq mask.

And it was a botch... just as we were diving, the nose clip slipped off. And we had 4 min of ballet to do under the gaze of the judges ... We ended up on the second step of the podium, but I cannot say I had a great time." From this anecdote, we can easily draw 2 good bits of advice:

1. Always test your make-up and accessories before D-Day and forget those (false) good last-minute ideas.

2. Avoid oily creams and make-up on and around the nose :) ‌

Afterwards, you are of course free to place the accessory as you wish. You can put it on from the top, placing the widest part on top of the nose or from below, leaving the widest part under the nose… The most important thing is therefore to put the narrowest part of the nose clip on the high walls of your nose, in order to close your nostrils most effectively.

How to put on your nose clip virginie dedieu's tutorial

How to put on your nose clip

Our tips for a nose clip that stays in place

You can also adjust the size of your nose clip by tightening or loosening the wide metal part. Don't worry about breaking it, it is designed to withstand the adjustment.

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Despite all your precautions, if you are afraid of losing it at the bottom of the pool:You have 2 options

- Opt for a nose clip with integrated links that you can put around your neck or on the strap of your swimsuit. You can make a tie yourself with a string and attach it to your nose clip.

- Choose a floating nose clip. Unlike other nose clips, it floats (as its name suggests) so it is easily identifiable on the surface in the event of loss…

Forget the time spent searching the bottom of the basin for a lost nose clip!

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Some swimmers opt for a few drops of clear varnish on the nose before positioning the nose clip (your dermatologist will not recommend it), others use 2 at a time, as is the case for some swimmers on the French team.

But the vast majority of us manage this stress, by diving with several emergency nose clips: around a finger (worn as a ring) or hidden under your swimsuit. There are never too many as long as you are reassured!

Specific needs for artistic swimming competitions

In a competition, there are 2 types of flagship events that require completely different equipment.

The compulsory figures event, as its name suggests, consists of performing precise figures before a jury. For this event, only technique counts, that's why it is mandatory to wear a black swimsuit, with no large logo visible, and a white swim cap so that no one stands out for beauty.

Our tip: also take a shammy cloth to be dry after each figure, in addition to your normal towel for the locker room.

The ballet event is much more artistic and therefore free! It is the creation of a choreography performed in music, for which you will choose, as a team, a colourful, glittery swimsuit and headdress to match your theme and ballet music (a pleasure for creative minds).

You are now equipped and ready to put your talents to the service of artistic swimming.

remember, artistic swimming is a sport of expression, so be creative and have fun!

Hélène

My name is Hélène, I am a former professional swimmer, and am now a volunteer coach and I love artistic swimming!~I did my classes in my home club in Lille, in the free / technical team ballet and solo events.~During my years as a student I was lucky enough to move around and therefore to see other clubs, especially in Italy (the Plebiscito club in Padua).~I finally settled in Dordogne a few years ago, where artistic swimming had not made its mark ...~So I had the pleasure of creating an artistic swimming section which now has around a hundred licensees!