Become an Artistic Swimming Judge

Artistic Swimming judges are essential for running artistic swimming competitions as they provide scores based on the performance of each routine.

They are also responsible for marking grade level assessments.

To reduce the level of subjectivity in scoring, all Artistic Swimming judges must be expertly-trained. They require a full understanding of World Aquatics and Swim England’s rules and regulations for artistic swimming competitions.

To maintain their qualification or progress, all judges must officiate at a certain number of grade assessments and competitions.

3 levels of Artistic Swimming judge in England

Judge 1

Candidates must be 16 years old to take the Judge 1 course. Once qualified they will be able to judge at level 1 and 2 competitions.

The course involves two modules; Figures and Routines with candidates gaining experience and knowledge between the two. Prior to taking the first module candidates must complete the Introduction to Judging Artistic Swimming Course

Course content will include:

• Use of marking scales
• Develop understanding of basic movements and positions
• Able to identify Figures in current age groups (12U)
• Ethics
• Develop knowledge and understanding of Free Routines – Combination Routines specifically
• Knowledge of Grade 1 and 2 criteria and assessment criteria.
• At the end of the course the candidates sit a written and a video exam

Judge 2

Candidates must have been a Judge 1 for at least a year and judged at at least two events in 12 months to take the course. Once qualified they will be eligible to judge level 3 competitions such as Regional Age Groups.

Course content will include:

• In-depth knowledge of 13/14/15 Age Group Figures and Junior Technical Elements (Grade 5)
• Develop knowledge of rules and penalties
• Develop knowledge of NVT, difficulty values and application to figures. Application of deductions to figures
• Exposure to variety of level of figures and scores
• Knowledge and awareness of Grade 3/4/5 criteria
• Further analysis of Free Routines – range of level of routines and types of routines, recognition of difficulty.
• At the end of the course the candidates sit a written and a video exam

Judge 3

Candidates must have been a Judge 2 for at least a year and judged at at least two events in the past 12 months including judging at level 3 competition and Grade Assessing Grade 3/4/5. Once qualified they will be eligible to judge at the National Age Groups and National Championships.

Course content will include:

• Further knowledge about rules, penalties and organisation
• In-depth knowledge about judging Figures and component parts
• Further develop knowledge and aptitude regarding judging Free Routines
• Awareness of Grade 6 criteria (once established)
• In-depth knowledge of both junior and senior technical elements in technical solos, duets and team.
• At the end of the course the candidates sit a written and a video exam