Bert Hubbard (born Albert Hubbard, 29 June 1927) is an American synchronized swimmer, choreographer and coach. He is also an aquatic artist as well as historian of the International Academy of Aquatic Art.
Bert Hubbard | |
|---|---|
 Bert Hubbard at the IAAA festival 1996 in Camden, New Jersey (USA) in his swim costume to his own choreography Juxtaposed | |
| Born | Albert Hubbard June 29, 1927 |
| Other names | Bert Hubbard |
| Occupation(s) | Synchronized Swimmer, Choreographer, Historian, Coach, teacher |
| Years active | 1946-present |
| Website | http://www.aquatic-art.org/ |
Sportive career 1946-1954
Hubbard started synchronized swimming shortly after it was introduced in his birth town Detroit in 1946 by swimmers from Chicago. In 1949 he won the first Mens' AAU Synchronised Swimming competition in the duet St.Louis Blues March with Lee Embrey.[1] As male soloist he became the US Junior National Champion in 1954 with A Viking's Prayer Before Battle.[2] Because the AAU rules would not allow men and women to swim together in duet and teams as they had from the origination of synchro in Chicago the sport became primarily a women's activity. Also because of the rules of international synchronized swimming competitions, where only women are allowed, Bert Hubbard could not participate in international championships.
1955-present: Aquatic Artist, choreographer and historian
With the introduction of the International Academy of Aquatic Art (IAAA) in 1955 men were welcomed in synchronized swimming events, and Hubbard created and performed as aquatic artist until 2009 in various compositions, especially solos, at many IAAA festivals throughout North America. In 1960 he choreographed two mixed trios Othello after Verdi's Otello and A Medieval Morality that were the first to receive top honors from IAAA in that category.[3] At that festival he presented the first male solo A World of Silence to be awarded First Class Honors from the IAAA. As the historian of the IAAA he documents the organization's history and artistic activities, and shares such information in IAAA's newletter The Aquatic Artist.
Further reading
- Robert E. Kerper: Splash - Aquatic Shows from A to Z (published by Michael Zielinsky, 2002)[4]
- Beulah Gundling: Exploring Aquatic Art, International Academy of Aquatic Art, 1963.[5]
- Beulah Gundling: Dancing in the Water, International Academy of Aquatic Art, 1976.[6]
- Dawn Pawson Bean: Synchronized swimming - An American history. McFarland Company Inc. Publishers, Jefferson (North Carolina, USA), 2005.[7]
References
- ^ Synchro History - A compilation by Sue Edwards, 2010.
- ^ Synchronized Swimming History on the official website of United States Synchronized Swimming, 2010.
- ^ Art music in figure skating, synchronized swimming and rhythmic gymnastics/Kunstmusik in Eiskunstlauf, Synchronschwimmen und rhythmischer Gymnastik. PhD thesis by Johanna Beisteiner, Vienna 2005. pages 45-48.
- ^ 2009 Buck Dawson Authors Award. Information about the book by R.E. Kerper on the official website of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, 2009.
- ^ Information about the book by Gundling on Google website. Contains descriptions about five choreographies by Bert Hubbard.
- ^ Information about the book by Gundling on Google website. Contains informations about the IAAA.
- ^ E-Book on Google website. Contains information about Bert Hubbard on page 51.
External links
- Official website of the International Academy of Aquatic Art, contains informations about Bert Hubbard
- Official ISHOF website (International Swimming Hall of Fame) with informations about the activities of the International Academy of Aquatic Art
- 2005 Who’s Who in Aquatic Leadership in the United States, Official Website of the United States Water Fitness Association, contains informations about Bert Hubbard.