Photo courtesy of Getty Images, provided by USA Artistic Swimming
Artistic swimming (occasionally known by its former name of synchronized swimming) is an Olympic sport. (In fact, Team USA won a silver medal in Paris 2024.) USA Artistic Swimming is seeking homes for a number of its events from the 2027 period forward, including national events.
First, the basics. USA Artistic Swimming will accept bids from any city, CVB, sports commission or artistic swimming division interested in hosting a national event. The bid must provide facilities, commit services, supply personnel and volunteers and proposed host hotels to USA Artistic Swimming. The range of events and the flexibility that USA Artistic Swimming offers in sharing responsibilities provides hosts with various levels of involvement.
The full RFP is here and can be downloaded easily and free of charge.
Venue Requirements:
Note: Adequate water depth of the competition area is essential to hosting, regardless of the level of competition. The RFP contains full information on venue requirements for each event, and potential hosts are advised to ascertain venues conform to these specifications.
In short: A 50M pool is necessary; this must be split into two halves:
Competition Half: 12 meters (40’) by 25 meters (82’) is required, within an area of which 12 meters by 12 meters must have a minimum depth of 3 meters (10’).
Practice half: The depth of the remaining area shall be 2 meters (6.5’) minimum.
Additionally, USA Artistic Swimming has noted information on areas for judging, and athletes, including gelling and degelling areas. Information on spectator seating is also provided on the RFP.
The following elements are examples of how details can truly make a difference in helping to secure a USAAS Championship:
- Securing a free facility rental fee with free move-in days and no fee for meeting space
- Hotel room block not to exceed $150 per night & within walking distance of venue
- Provide a keepsake or gift for all registrants
- Securing of city or local grants to aid local grassroots artistic swimming programs
For additional questions, contact Baylee Robinson, Events and Membership Director, at baylee@usaartisticswim.org.
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