Synchronicity: Photosplash II at Plymouth's Tinside Lido with synchronised swimmers and Plymouth College of Art photographers

People enjoying a bracing walk along the Hoe on Thursday, May 26 were treated to an unexpected spectacle as they passed Tinside Lido. They managed to catch a team of synchronised swimmers from Exeter braving the freezing cold water to provide an unprecedented photographic opportunity for Plymouth College of Art students.

The Photosplash II event was organised by Plymouth College of Art to give students a unique opportunity to capture images of synchronised swimmers, taken from in the water and from the poolside.

Dave Kinney, programme leader for photography at Plymouth College of Art, said: “The students really took to this event and it echoed the history of the lido perfectly.

“This opportunity worked well as a cross disciplinary exercise, with students across a range of courses attending.

“The students who braved the water to take photographs quickly realised just how hardy and professional the synchronised swimmers are, as they were wearing just swim suits in comparison to the students’ full body wetsuits!”

A mobile studio was set up on site alongside a small exhibition of underwater photography created by current and past students. Attendees also enjoyed a barbecue and music played from the tannoy for the swimmers to perform their routine to.

Also making use of this event was a team of Tinside lifeguards who took the opportunity to carry out some training activities before the pool opens to the general public over the summer months. A Plymouth College of Art student also made use of the surroundings by photographing a fellow student emerging from the Lido dressed in a full dinner suit.

To see more work from photography students at Plymouth College of Art, the Summer Show is taking place at the main college site at Tavistock Place, opposite Drakes Circus, from June 20 to June 29. Weekday opening times are 9am to 8.30pm and on Saturday the show will be open from 9am to 4.30pm. Admission is free and more information can be found at www.plymouthart.ac.uk/Summershows