5/27/2026
When we protect our athletes, we protect Artistic Swimming.
Artistic swimmers employ grace, athleticism, and creativity in combining elements for free and technical routines. All that sculling and breath-holding requires hours of stretching, strength training, and long days in the pool. Whether you are staying on your mark, mastering compulsory figures, or preparing a new routine, knox your hair and get ready for competition day. When we protect our artistic swimmers, we keep this sport safe and healthy for all.
Courage First Athlete Helpline
Use this resource if you are in need of confidential emotional support, crisis intervention, informational athlete-focused resources, and guidance related to concerns about any type of abuse.
The Courage First Athlete Helpline is a no-cost call and text service for anyone in need. +1 888-279-1026
Common Artistic Swimming Safeguarding Concerns
Abuse and misconduct can happen in all sports, at every level of play. Artistic Swimming has some specific vulnerabilities, such as:
- Artistic swimming competitions often involve subjective scoring, with points deducted from a baseline “perfect” score. Pressure and scrutiny to avoid point deductions can negatively impact confidence and may leave athletes emotionally vulnerable.
- Artistic swimming requires a high level of trust between athletes and of the coaches. This level of trust can lead to psychological dependence and/or blurred boundaries between athletes and coaches over time.
- In artistic swimming, there can be pressure to have a certain body composition and to be physically small. Weight and size-related pressure and criticism can give coaches a high level of control over athletes, as well as potentially encourage eating disorders and low self-esteem.
What’s the difference between tough coaching & abuse?
The Coach Athlete Relationship Dynamics Diagrams below can be used as a gut check; consider the conduct you experience and observe in your sporting community, and discern whether what is occurring aligns with a caring and supportive coach-athlete relationship. For athletes who have unhealthy relationship dynamics with their coaches, inappropriate behavior can be subtle and difficult to discern. Awareness and prevention of these patterns of power and control help keep everyone safe.
Current Events
Unfortunately, news articles chronicling misconduct in sport and unhealthy coach-athlete dynamics are frequent and widespread. Abuse in sport has been occurring for decades, and the public is now becoming aware of these hidden situations as more and more survivors bravely disclose and report misconduct they have experienced. #WeRideTogether is committed to increasing awareness and continually updating this compiled list of current events on the topic of sexual abuse in sport. Sexual misconduct is happening across all sports, at all levels, internationally.
12/23/2024
Korean Synchronized Swimming Coach Faces Abuse Allegations, Scandal Erupts
12/19/2024
Hiea-Yoon Kang, subject of SafeSport abuse probe, continues to coach at Fullerton College pool
6/5/2024
Hiea-Yoon Kang suspended by La Mirada from coaching at city pool
10/18/2026
Youth Sports Families Allege Travel Company Threatened Their Kids' Playing Status If They Didn't Pay Lodging Fees
10/15/2026
Athletic trainer at San Jose school accused of sexual battery of student
10/14/2026
Details emerge on police raid of ex-Kempsville High School athletic director’s home
10/11/2026
As sports betting is normalized, college players have become targets of aggrieved bettors
Artistic Swimming Resources
Below are resources related to Physical Safety, Mental Health, and Coaching within Artistic Swimming.
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Concussion Management Protocol
Physical Safety
Gain an understanding of concussion prevention and how to care for injuries.
Crash Course: Concussion Education
Physical Safety
Learn about the prevention and treatment of concussions.
F.E.A.S.T.
Mental Health
Find support, resources, or connections for families affected by eating disorders.
Invisible Injuries in Artistic Swimming: Awareness, Resources, and Safety Measures
Physical Safety
A brief overview of injuries in artistic swimming.
Positive Body Image Guidelines
Coaching
Implement and follow guidelines that promote a healthy and safe body image.
Relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs)
Physical Safety
Gain an understanding of REDs, symptoms and causes of REDs, and prevention.
The Impact of Eating Disorders on Athletic Performance
Mental Health
Develop an understanding of the impact that disordered eating has on athletic performance.
Underwater Hypoxic Blackout Prevention
Physical Safety
Learn about Underwater Hypoxic Blackout (UHB) and how to prevent it.
Survivor Stories
Survivors are increasingly stepping forward to bravely tell their stories. The following stories reflect the survivors’ personal experiences, as told by them, and may be triggering for individuals who have experienced sexual abuse or misconduct. All information has been anonymized.
If you are a survivor interested in sharing your story and learning more about this process, please reach out to us at info@weridetogether.today.
We want to hear from you!
You are not alone.
What resources or information do you want for your sport? Contact us and let us know.
If you or someone you know has experienced misconduct or abuse, please access these resources for help. For additional information on confidential helplines, sexual assault reporting procedures, and mental health resources, click the button below.
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