Finswimming

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Finswimming is the progression of a swimmer using fins either on the water surface or underwater, using only muscle strength. It is a discipline of underwater sports. The competition distances are same as for swimming (50 m, 100 m, 200 m, 400 m, 800 m, 1500 m, 4x100 m and 4x200 m relays). Continental and World Championships are organized by CMAS.

There are three disciplines 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. Immersion 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 has 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.

This article should belong in one or more categories, in addition to being in a stub category. Please categorize it so it may be associated with related articles. Thank you.
Please remove this template after categorizing. This article has been tagged since November 2006.

</div>de:Flossenschwimmen