WHAT IS FINSWIMMING ?

Speed, Agility, Excitement: Welcome to Finswimming!

Finswimming is an aquatic sport where athletes engage in underwater racing using specialized equipment like goggles or masks, fins (monofins or bi-fins) and snorkels 

This sport offers a dual appeal: it is highly competitive, focusing on speed and agility in races, and also serves as a recreational activity, allowing enthusiasts to enjoy the underwater experience. Ideal for those seeking the excitement of competition or the pleasure of leisurely swimming, finswimming caters to a diverse range of aquatic enthusiasts.

Croatian records

*Due to the inactivity of Sport Commission of Croatian Diving Federation, the most recent official update dates back to December 8th, 2020 : consequently, clubs have begun to unofficially update national finswimming records.

last changes in 2024:
Senior 100im – Filip Strikinac (Geronimo Zagreb), 34.13 – 25th February 2024 in Aix-en-Provence (France)
Senior 200im – Mihael Šestak, (Geronimo Zagreb) 1:24.14 – 22nd March 2024 in Lignano Sabbiadoro (Italy)
Senior 4*50 bf/mono mixed relay – Nikola Krnjak, Eva Dragoja, Jan Krnjak, Nika Čerba (Geronimo Zagreb) – 18th February 2024 in Rijeka (Croatia)
Senior 4*100 bf/mono mixed relay – Nikola Krnjak, Barbara Pustahija, Filip Strikinac, Nika Čerba, (Geronimo Zagreb), 2:58.25 – 6th April 2024 in Kaposvar (Hungary)
Senior and U-17 400fs boys – Viktor Lovreković (Šoderica Koprivnica) 3:12.76 – 24th March 2024 in Lignano Sabbiadoro (Italy)
Senior and U-17 800fs boys – Viktor Lovreković (Šoderica Koprivnica) 6:46.85 – 23rd March 2024 in Lignano Sabbiadoro (Italy)

U-17  800fs girls – Lana Kruljac (Nevera Rijeka) 7:21.42 – 23rd March 2024 in Lignano Sabbiadoro (Italy)
U-17 4*100 bf/mono mixed relay – Mihael Botić, Barbara Matika, Leon Kolar, Dora Komparić (Mladost Medulin) 3:23.61 – 24th March 2024 in Lignano Sabbiadoro (Italy)
U-17 and U-15 200im girls – Barbara Matika (Mladost Medulin) 1:42.28 – 22nd March 2024 in Lignano Sabbiadoro (Italy)
U-17 and U-15 400im girls – Barbara Matika (Mladost Medulin) 3:38.48 in Lignano Sabbiadoro (Italy)

U-15 100im girls – Barbara Matika (Mladost Medulin) 45.68 – 18th February 2024 in Rijeka (Croatia) 
U-15  800sf boys – Tin Treščec (Šoderica Koprivnica) 7:08.56 – 23rd March 2024 in Lignano Sabbiadoro (Italy)
U-15  400im boys – Sebastijan Hajnc (Mladost Medulin) 3:40.11 – 24th March 2024 in Lignano Sabbiadoro (Italy)

U-13 200sf girls – Petra Robotić (Nevera Rijeka) 1:47.58 – 18th February 2024 in Rijeka (Croatia)
U-13 4*50 bf/mono mixed relay – Jona Škunca, Maša Brdar, Marko Varićak, Ina Tomac (Templar Zagreb), 1:39.99 – 18th February 2024 in Rijeka (Croatia)

U-11 50bf boys – Rene Berger (Komet Zagreb), 27:70 – 3rd February 2024 in Zagreb (Croatia)
U-11 4*50 bf/mono mixed relay – Leon Čupev, Ilirjana Lleshaj, Leon Mijandrušić, Emi Metikoš Crevatin (Mladost Medulin) 1:59.33 – 18th Febrary 2024 in Rijeka (Croatia)

World / Continental Master – Senior – Junior records
last changes in 2024:

 

The Finswimming Techniques

Surface swimming

In this style, athletes wear goggles or a mask, snorkel, and monofin and must stay on the water’s surface. Races include individual events from 50 to 1500 meters and relays of 4×100 and 4×200 meters, also mixed male and female. It is held also in open waters.

Watch this video as an example:
Final of 50 surface men at World Championship 2022

Bi-fins swimming

Athletes swim on the surface using goggles or a mask, snorkel, and two fins. Short races of 50 to 400 meters occur in pools, while 4km and 6km long distance races take place in open waters.
Relays are also part of competitions’ programs.

Watch this video as an example:
Final of 50 bifins men at World Championship 2016

Open water finswimmer
Bifins finswimmer
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Apnea-Finswimming-Baku-2015

Immersion

Swimmers use goggles or a mask, monofin, and breathing apparatus underwater in a pool. Races are 100m, 200m and 400m long, and athletes must keep their face submerged throughout the race or face disqualification. The breathing apparatus can’t be exchanged or left behind during the race.

Watch this video as an example:
Final of 100 immersion women at World Games 2022

Apnea

This underwater technique requires goggles or a mask, a monofin, and breath-holding. It features 50m races, with swimmers needing to stay submerged to avoid disqualification. AP is not held in open water for safety reasons.

Watch this video as an example:
Final of 50 apnea women at World Games 2022

 

  • Low Impact Exercise: Being a water-based sport, it’s gentle on the joints, making it suitable for a wide range of ages and fitness levels.
  • Breath Control: It teaches efficient breath control, which is beneficial for respiratory health and can be applied in other sports and activities.
  • Full-body Workout: Finswimming engages various muscle groups, providing a comprehensive workout that tones and strengthens the body.
  • Cardiovascular Fitness: It significantly improves heart health and increases lung capacity due to the aerobic nature of the sport.
  • Fun and Enjoyment: Above all, finswimming is enjoyable, offering a unique and exciting way to stay active and healthy.
  • Competitive swimming improvement: the use of fins and snorkel may upgrade the use of leverages of the body (arms, legs, core muscles, backbone) and increase the attitute of swimmers to work in anaerobic conditions –> check this document
  • Mermaiding and Snorkeling: Focusing on the recreational and aesthetic aspects of aquatic sports, it is possible to promotie enjoyment and appreciation of underwater experiences.
  • Lifesaving and Rescue Services: Offering training in lifesaving techniques and integrating with local rescue services to provide practical skills in aquatic emergency response.
  • Rehabilitation and Adaptive Activities: Tailored programs utilize finswimming techniques for rehabilitation of injured individuals, and adaptive swimming methods for persons with disabilities, emphasizing the therapeutic benefits of water sports. 
  • Scuba Diving, Freediving and Underwater Exploration: Courses in scuba diving and freediving to explore the depths and mysteries of underwater environments, including ecological education about aquatic conservation.
  • Underwater Hockey and Rugby: Introduction to these unique and engaging sports to broaden the athletic and competitive appeal of underwater activities.

What health benefits can it bring to you?

Which synergies with other activities?

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