Finswimming Is Your New Favorite Sport

Fin Swimming isn't new to the sport scene, but it has gained recent publicity as it was featured in the 2015 Baku European Games. We think it should be in the spotlight.

Jul 21, 2017

There's a good chance this is your first time being introduced to the sport of monofin racing. With that being the case, we'd like to break it down for you.

The Different Types Of Finswimming

1) Apnoea (Or AP)

In apnoea, competitors must be completely submerged and hold their breath for the duration of the swim. These races are only held for distances of 50m and aren't held in open water due to safety concerns. The race below is the men's 50m AP -- or underwater -- swim from the 2015 Baku European Games. Although the video is titled as "World Record," the actual world record in this specific distance is 13.85 seconds, also done by Kabanov who is shown in the video.

2) Surface Swimming (Or SF)

Surface swimming is strikingly similar to what you'll typically see in the Olympics, but with a few not-so-subtle gear additions. The gear used in SF swimming includes masks, snorkels, monofins, full body suits -- which are now not legal in swimming -- and a cap. Unlike AP, surface swimming races include distances of 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1500 meters. In addition to these individual events are the 4x100 and 4x200 relays which are swum very similarly to the 400 and 800 freestyle relay in swimming. The only additional rule for surface swimming is that swimmers are allowed 15m off of the start and each turn before breaking the surface for the remainder of the length.

3) Immersion Swimming With Breathing Apparatus

This type of Finswimming is a mix of the first two we've seen. As you'll see in the video below, the athletes are completely submerged, but bring along a breathing apparatus that is held at the top of the streamline since the race is held over the course of 100 meters. Before you watch the video, make sure to pay close attention to one of the athletes right around the 50m mark; it's hard to do an underwater flip turn with fins on.

4) Bi-fins

This one doesn't need to much of an explanation as it is pretty much the same thing as racing with fins on in practice. Bi-fins swimming is the same as surface swimming just with a set of split fins and not one connected -- mono -- fin. These races are held over 50, 100, and 200m in different length pools as well as open water long distance races.

Bonus Video!

Now that you know a thing or two about finswimming we decided to leave the"coolest video for last. This very well could be the sickest 200m underwater monofin relay you'll ever see.

Split Breakdown:
1) Rodriguez -- 16.70
2) Olivier -- 16.42
3) Aouidad -- 17.24
4) Morice -- 18.06
Total Time: 1:08.51

Hope you enjoyed this. If you need me I'll be getting ready for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Finswimming Trials.
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