What are figures and who has to swim them?

Figures are a separate event judged on set body positions and movements. Swimmers are identified by number for the figure competition and names are not called.

• Youth: each Youth competitor in Solo, Male Solo, Duet, Mixed Duet and Team performs two figures (the same two for everyone). At the Qualifier and Canadian Championships (CASC), all Youth competitors in those events, including alternates and substitutes, must swim figures. Youth in Free Combination may enter figures if they are not in another routine event.
• 12 and Under: World Aquatics rules apply if Canada Artistic Swimming holds a 12 and Under event. Canada Artistic Swimming recommends provincial and territorial organizations use four figures.
• 10 and Under: figures as recommended in Appendix 5 of the rulebook. 8 and Under: figures and skills are decided by the provincial or territorial organization.

Figures are chosen by the World Aquatics technical committee every four years. In Youth figures, a zero is given if the announced figure is not performed, the swimmer stops, or required elements are missing. In 12 and Under figures, a one-point penalty applies and a second attempt is allowed; if the problem happens again the figure scores zero.

Source: Canada Artistic Swimming Rulebook (revised November 2025), rules 2.1, 5.12.1, 10.6 and 10.12.