Synchronized skating is a distinct figure skating discipline that features a team of athletes moving seamlessly as one. Since the 1970s, synchro has soared in popularity across the world, with Canadian teams making waves on the international stage.   

This dynamic sport blends precision skating, seamless teamwork, and electrifying crowd energy like no other. Continue reading to learn more about this thrilling sport! 

Where It All Started
Believe it or not, synchronized skating originated in 1956 under the name “precision skating”, highlighting its attention to precision in the formations and timing of movement. That same year, Dr. Richard Porter assembled 24 skaters in Ann Arbor, Michigan, creating the first official synchro team.  

What began as a way to entertain crowds during hockey intermissions at the University of Michigan, grew to become a global phenomenon, earning Dr. Porter recognition as the Father of synchronized skating.  

The ‘Hockettes’ precision skating team.

After nearly four decades, the International Skating Union (ISU) officially recognized synchronized skating as a discipline in 1994, later changing the name from precision skating to synchronized skating to help the sport gain global recognition. 

A Sport Like No Other 
Synchro incorporates technical elements from all figure skating disciplines, blending artistry, power, and precision. As the sport expanded internationally, it evolved to emphasize speed, intricate skating skills, and once prohibited elements like jumps, spirals, and lifts. 

With teams ranging from eight to 16 skaters, synchro is all about teamwork and coordination.  Success relies on the skaters’ ability to move as one unit, executing the sport’s signature formations, including the wheel, circle, block, and intersection, with perfect unison and trust to create visually stunning performances.  

1991 Canadian Synchronized Skating Championships

The World of Competition 
The first official synchro competition was held in March 1976 in Michigan and featured Canadian and American teams. In 1989, the discipline hit the international stage with the first international competition taking place in Sweden, featuring seven nations. 

Canada quickly became a leader in the sport, hosting the inaugural Canadian Synchronized Skating Championships in 1983 — the world’s first national synchro championship.  

1986 Canadian Synchronized Skating Championships

By 2000, synchronized skating had grown to a global scale, with the first ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships held in Minneapolis, bringing together 16 countries. In 2013, the ISU held the first World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships in Helsinki, Finland.  

One-of-a-Kind Crowd Energy
What truly sets synchro apart is its unforgettable crowd energy and the vibrant community that surrounds it. At every competition, the atmosphere is electric, with fans decked out in costumes, waving signs, and cheering with noisemakers. Their infectious excitement fuels the athletes and adds to the thrill of the event. 

2024 Skate Canada Cup

Canada Making Marks in Synchro 
From attending the first competitions to hosting the world’s first national championship, Canada’s dedication to synchro has left a legacy in the sport. In 2009, at the ninth edition of the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships, NEXXICE made history by winning Canada’s first world synchro title, which they reclaimed in 2015. 

NEXXICE at the 2009 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships

More recently, in 2024, Les Suprêmes Junior became the first Canadian team to capture gold at the ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships. That same year, Les Suprêmes Senior cemented their place in history as the first team ever to win three consecutive World Championships.  

Les Suprêmes at the 2024 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships

Now, as the 2025 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships approach, Les Suprêmes will look to extend their unprecedented winning streak and defend their title once again.