At a competition the girls compete in a variety of events. Each girl will participate in figure competition demonstrating four "figures". Figures are sequences of movement performed in the water before a panel of judges.

Scores are based on the individual swimmer's ability to demonstrate grace, flexibility, poise, control and skill. The other events of a swim meet include solos, duets, trios and team routines (4 or more swimmers).

These routines are swam to music and are choreographed to the piece. Routines, unlike figures, allow the swimmers to demonstrate their artistic abilities along with the skills required in figures.

At the age group level the swimmers, themselves, often choose their music, design their swimsuits, design and create their headpieces and choreograph their own routines.

The History of U.S. Synchronized Swimming - http://www.usasynchro.org/about/history.htm

Washington Post: About U.S. Synchronized Swimming- http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/olympics/longterm/synchro/aboutss.htm