Courtesy: Finswimming Congress
CMAS (World Underwater Federation)
A few words about our governing body:
- It was founded on January 1959 by its President Jacque Iv Cousteau.
- It is the oldest and largest organization in the field of Underwater Sports.
- In 1986, was recognized as an Athletic Federation by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
- Ιs a member, affiliated with major sports organizations (IWGA, WADA, FISU, SPORTACCORD).
- Affiliated members are 139 States of the 5 Continents.
- The President is Mrs. Anna Arzhanova from (Russia).
Finswimming
A few words about the sport:
Finswimming is an underwater sport consisting of four techniques involving swimming with the use of fins either on the water’s surface using a snorkel with either monofins or bifins or underwater with monofin either by holding one’s breath or using open circuit scuba diving equipment. Events exist over distances similar to swimming competitions for both swimming pool and open water venues. Competition at world and continental level is organized by the Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques (CMAS).
Techniques
Surface finswimming
Surface finswimming (also known by its acronym, SF) is swimming on the surface of the water using mask, snorkel, and monofins. SF races are held for distances of 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500, 4 × 100 relays, 4 × 200 relays and 4 X 50 mixed relay (meters) in swimming pools and over various long distances in the open water environment. Swimmers must remain on the surface of the water at all times for the duration of the race except when starting or make a turns at the end of a swimming pool where an immersion over a distance of 15m is permitted.
Apnoea finswimming
Apnoea finswimming (also known by its acronym, AP, and as apnoea or apnea) is underwater swimming in a swimming pool using a mask, monofin and holding one’s breathe. AP races are held for the distance of 50m. A swimmer’s face must be immersed for the duration of the race otherwise he/she risks disqualification. AP races are not conducted in open water for ‘safety and security reasons’.
Immersion finswimming with breathing apparatus
Immersion finswimming with breathing apparatus (also known by its acronym, IM, and as immersion) is underwater swimming using mask, monofin and underwater breathing apparatus conducted in a swimming pool. While there are no requirements on how a breathing apparatus is carried, it cannot be exchanged or abandoned during a race. IM races are held for distances of 100 and 400 m. A swimmer’s face must be immersed for the duration of the race or risk disqualification. IM races are not conducted in open water for ‘safety and security reasons’
Bi-fins
Bi-fins (also known by its acronym, BF or as ‘stereo-fins’) is swimming on the surface of the water with mask, snorkel and a pair of fins using a crawl style. BF races are held for distances of 50, 100,200, 400 and 4 X 100 mixed relay meters in swimming pools. It is reported that BF was introduced in 2006 to provide the opportunity for competition by swimmers who cannot afford to purchase a set of monofins. Swimmers must remain on the surface of the water at all times for the duration of the race except when starting or make a turns at the end of a swimming pool where an immersion of a distance of 15m is permitted.
CMAS WORLD FINSWIMMING TRAINERS CONGRESS
It certifies the coaching adequacy to the participants without override or exceed the coaching certification system of each State. The purpose of the award of the CMAS diploma LEVEL 1 is to certify coaching as a key tool for the sport to get known to those countries that until now Finswimming has not been developed and enriching the knowledge of the coaches of the sport. Eligible to attend: Active coaches and athletes worldwide, who wish to certify and enrich their knowledge.
The Congress will be held in association with the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (UoA) and the School of Physical Education and Sport Science of UoA.
