Synchronized Skating

Synchronized skating offers athletes the chance to compete with a team and learn the value of teamwork and camaraderie. Formed in 1956 by Dr. Richard Porter, the sport was known as “precision skating” for the intricate moves skaters perform on the ice together. U.S. Figure Skating held the first U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships in 1984 and the first World Synchronized Skating Championships in 2000. Today, there are about 600 registered synchronized teams in the United States.

Teams of eight to 20 skaters perform challenging formations and step sequences together, and competitions use the same judging system as singles, pairs and ice dance. As with other disciplines, all teams perform a free skate with required elements, and junior- and senior-level teams also perform a short program.

synchro levels chart

Learn to Skate USA synchronized skating team

Aspire Synchro

Learn to Skate USA badge program designed for group classes
Aspire 1, Aspire 2, Aspire 3 and Aspire 4 are the beginning levels of synchronized skating that are offered at synchronized skating nonqualifying and Compete USA competitions.

A juvenile synchro team performs a rotational element

Developmental Levels

Preliminary, pre-juvenile, open juvenile, open collegiate, open adult and open masters
Can compete at any nonqualifying synchronized skating competition
These levels are offered at the U.S. Synchronized Sectional Championships

Collegiate synchronized skating team performs at a competition

Competitive Levels

Juvenile, intermediate, novice, junior, senior, collegiate, adult, masters and senior elite 12
Can compete at any nonqualifying synchronized skating competition
Enter their respective sectional championships to qualify for the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships
Top-performing teams at the junior, senior and senior elite 12 levels can earn the opportunity to be part of Team USA, with two teams going on to represent the United States at the ISU World Junior and ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships

Get Started with Synchronized Skating

Synchronized skating is open to individuals of all ages and levels. To keep consistency on a national scale, there are test requirements for each level. Click here to learn more about testing.

Contact U.S. Figure Skating to find a team near you