Finswimming

Encyclopedia : F : FI : FIN : Finswimming

Finswimming is the progression of a swimmer using fins either on the water surface or under water, using only muscle strength. It has been an Olympic recognised sport since 1986. The competition distances are same as for the swimming (50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 4x100m and 4x200m relays). Continental and World Championships are organized by CMAS.

There are three dicipines in finswimming (international events)

Surface: 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500, 4X100 and 4X200 relay (meters)
Apnea: 50 (meters)
Immersion: 100, 400, 800 (meters)

Surface racing is kicking on the surface, where breathing is allowed. Apnea racing is kicking under or at the surface with no breathing allowed. Imemrsion racing is kicking underwater while breathing off of a scuba tank and regulator.

It is a fairly undeveloped sport around the World; Russia, China, France, Greece and Italy are the main players. In the United States it is very small but gaining competitors.

The major areas of finswimming the United States include California (around San Francisco, which is the location of the national headquarters for USA Fin Swimming), Texas (Houston, including the suburbs of Pasadena and Deer Park), Rhode Island (around Providence), and scattered individuals in Florida. The United States had competed at the World Championships sporadically since the early 1980s, achieving very limited success on the international scene.

Few competitions are held in the United States, with the last US Championships being held in California in 1998. Texas hosts a few meets a year, but participation usually consists of local finswimmers and those from other countries who live in the southeast Texas area and still train and compete in the sport.

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