Girls practice synchronized swimming at the Huanglong Sports Center in Hangzhou. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

Synchronized swimming, known as "ballet in the water", is gaining momentum in Zhejiang following China's historic gold medal win at the Paris Olympics.

This May, the Huanglong Synchronized Swimming Club was established in Hangzhou as the province's first community-based club open to young people. Now training nearly 50 students aged 7 to 13, the club is nurturing a new generation of talent.

The club was founded by a group of parents who sought to provide better training opportunities for their children. Initially training in a gym pool, the club now operates in partnership with the Huanglong Sports Center, using its state-of-the-art swimming and diving facility. Led by former national youth team athlete Tan Shali, students undergo rigorous training, with competitive-level participants clocking up to nine hours per week.

Students undergo rigorous training, with competitive-level participants clocking up to nine hours per week. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

While synchronized swimming remains niche in China, the club is already making waves. Competing as Zhejiang's unofficial team, its students won gold in the 11-12 age group at the 2024 "Run, Youth" Invitational in Tianjin.

Looking ahead, the club plans to expand its offerings to adults, aiming to popularize synchronized swimming and diversify recreational sports in Zhejiang. As co-founder Chen Bing states, "We hope more swimmers will explore this artistic and athletic sport, fostering new passion in Zhejiang's strong aquatic culture."

Tan Shali and her students. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]