Synchronized Swimming

From novelty tricks in swim classes, through the Aquacades and movies, to the highly complex Olympic competitions—this history of synchronized swimming tells how the sport grew, examines the role the United States has played in its worldwide development, and describes the status of synchronized swimming in world sporting events today. Among the topics covered are competition development, development around the United States, rules and technical changes, and leadership (from volunteers to a National Office). Four appendices list major award winners, U.S. National Champions, the results of major international competitions, and U.S. participation in international events. The work boasts photographs from the first trial national competition in 1942 to the World Championships of 2003, as well as a full bibliography.

Dawn Pawson Bean founded Synchro—the first magazine devoted entirely to the sport—and was a champion competitor, (National and Pan American gold medal winner), coach, and Olympic judge. She lives in Santa Ana, California.

Dawn Pawson Bean

Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 320
Bibliographic Info: 86 photos, appendices, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2005
pISBN: 978-0-7864-1948-7
eISBN: 978-1-4766-1406-9
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments      v
Preface      1

1. The Beginnings      3
2. The Emerging Sport (1937–45)      16
3. Expansion and Structural Evolution (1946–51)      29
4. Reshaping and Growing-The West Emerges (1952–56)      46
5. Growing Pains Here, Promotion Overseas (1957–62)      66
6. Change, Change, and Still More Change (1963–68)      81
7. New Programs, New Ideas, Here and Abroad (1969–75)      96
8. National Teams and Autonomy (1976–82)      113
9. The Olympic Era Begins (1983–88)      131
10. Growth and Popularity Worldwide (1989-94)      149
11. Olympic Teams, at Last! (1995–99)      164
12. Rising to the Challenge (2000–03)      179

Epilogue: The Future of Synchronized Swimming in the 21st Century      191
Appendix A: Awards and Honors      199
Appendix B: U.S. National Champions (1946–2004)      205
Appendix C: Major International Championships (1955–2004)      222
Appendix D: U.S. Participation in International Events (1951–2004)      247

Notes      263
Bibliography      277
Index      291