Olympic Final
Tense moments at Tamaki Intermediate School as everyone sat waiting for results. Earlier on in the day competitions had been held. And this is what happened.
The first contest final was Frisbee. The competing teams were, America, Jamaica and China. It was a nail biting much but in the end Jamaica won, China came second and America came third.
The next contest was egg and spoon- it was a close match. South Africa came out the champions.
Lastly a special surprise from the teachers. Sprints! It was crazy. Each country selected their fastest runners. Tamika, Huriana, Catalina, and every other girl and boys run their hardest it was a close match. But Tamika tied with Huriana for first place for the girls. And Jimmy won for the boys.
I would like to say thank you to all the teachers for their awesome organization and their work. I wish I could see that momentous event again. It was so fun and everyone was enjoying themselves so much. It was a fabulous moment for our school.
Friday 24 August 2012
Tuesday 14 August 2012
Synchronized Swimming by Maria
Synchronized Swimming
Synchronized Swimming is a hybrid of swimming, gymnastics and dance. It is a routine done by either a solo, duet, trio, combo or team. 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.
When performing routines or in practice swimmers wear nose clips to stop water from entering their noses. Some competitors wear ear plugs to help stop water from entering the ears. Hair is put in a bun and a type of gelatin is put over it called Knox to stop the hair from falling out. Competitors also wear costumes and head pieces that are custom made to reflect the music and swimming routine. The costume and head piece do not effect the judges score but if the head piece falls off during the routine points will be taken off. Heavy make up is often worn to help portray emotion in the dance. Underwater speakers are used so that the swimmers can hear the music and keep in sync with each other. These speakers are also used when the coach would need to communicate with the swimmers. Goggles are not usually worn in swimming but if the swimmer has a chlorine allergy then the judges will usually make an exception.
Basic skills you will need in Synchro Swimming is first Sculls. Sculls are used to help move the body around underwater. The most common scull used is the support scull. It is when a swimmer moves the arms back and forth to help keep the body able when up side down. It is used if you are doing leg movements above water with your body underwater. The eggbeater kick is also another important part of Synchro. It is when you are kicking the water underwater to keep your torso and arms above water. You usually use this when you are doing arm movements. And then there are lifts it is when a team will use egg beater kicks to help lift a fellow team member out of the water. There are also hundreds more positions that Synchro swimmers use to help there routine.
1. In a Synchronized Swimming contest one would first enter the arena and bow. Your face has to be smiling all the time and your body has to be straight and poised.
2. Then you take your position at the side of the pool and dive. You may get into your starting position or start straight from the dive.
3. As the music plays through you have to perform your routine perfectly and you must portray emotions extravagantly.
4. After your routine is finished you stay in your finishing pose for a while then you are free to get out of the pool.
5. The judges will then decide on a score.
Judges score out of 100%, with 50% being for artistry and 50% being for technicality. The judges will also deduct points if you mess up the routine or miss steps and if the performers aren't exactly in time.
Synchronized Swimming is a lot of hard work. Months of training go into one competition's performance and swimmers try their hardest all the time. Diets and training, costume fittings and worldwide competitions are all apart of a Synchronized Swimmer's regular day.
Synchronized Swimming is a hybrid of swimming, gymnastics and dance. It is a routine done by either a solo, duet, trio, combo or team. 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.
When performing routines or in practice swimmers wear nose clips to stop water from entering their noses. Some competitors wear ear plugs to help stop water from entering the ears. Hair is put in a bun and a type of gelatin is put over it called Knox to stop the hair from falling out. Competitors also wear costumes and head pieces that are custom made to reflect the music and swimming routine. The costume and head piece do not effect the judges score but if the head piece falls off during the routine points will be taken off. Heavy make up is often worn to help portray emotion in the dance. Underwater speakers are used so that the swimmers can hear the music and keep in sync with each other. These speakers are also used when the coach would need to communicate with the swimmers. Goggles are not usually worn in swimming but if the swimmer has a chlorine allergy then the judges will usually make an exception.
Basic skills you will need in Synchro Swimming is first Sculls. Sculls are used to help move the body around underwater. The most common scull used is the support scull. It is when a swimmer moves the arms back and forth to help keep the body able when up side down. It is used if you are doing leg movements above water with your body underwater. The eggbeater kick is also another important part of Synchro. It is when you are kicking the water underwater to keep your torso and arms above water. You usually use this when you are doing arm movements. And then there are lifts it is when a team will use egg beater kicks to help lift a fellow team member out of the water. There are also hundreds more positions that Synchro swimmers use to help there routine.
1. In a Synchronized Swimming contest one would first enter the arena and bow. Your face has to be smiling all the time and your body has to be straight and poised.
2. Then you take your position at the side of the pool and dive. You may get into your starting position or start straight from the dive.
3. As the music plays through you have to perform your routine perfectly and you must portray emotions extravagantly.
4. After your routine is finished you stay in your finishing pose for a while then you are free to get out of the pool.
5. The judges will then decide on a score.
Judges score out of 100%, with 50% being for artistry and 50% being for technicality. The judges will also deduct points if you mess up the routine or miss steps and if the performers aren't exactly in time.
Synchronized Swimming is a lot of hard work. Months of training go into one competition's performance and swimmers try their hardest all the time. Diets and training, costume fittings and worldwide competitions are all apart of a Synchronized Swimmer's regular day.
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