British Finswimming Association

What is Finswimming?

Finswimming is a form of swimming when athletes use a monofin or flippers (called bi-fins or stereofins) to move their body through a distance and snorkel or air tank for breathing.

The sport developed in Europe following the ready availability of the first rubber fins during the 1930s. Luigi Ferraro, Italian diving pioneer, is reported as organising the first finswimming competition in the sea during 1951 followed by a 100 kilometres (62 mi) ocean swim in 1955. At the present times finswimming is practiced in the swimming pool and the open water.

Distances for competition are similar to ordinary swimming:

Surface (when monofin and snorkel is used): 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m
Surface bifins: 50m, 100m, 200m
Immersion (monofin + air tank): 100m, 400m, 800m
Apnea (monofin, no breathing): 50m

Relay: 4x50m, 4x100m, 4x200m
In addition, 25m surface and apnea distances are available in 25m pools.

How can I get into finswimming? The easiest way is to contact a nearest club. As a club member you will attend training sessions and participate in competitions.

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