Competition Categories

Finswimming is generally divided into four main disciplines:

1. Surface (SF): The swimmer uses a monofin and a frontal snorkel. Only the head or the equipment must remain above the surface, except for the start and turns (where they can submerge for 15 meters).

2. Apnoea (AP): A high-speed sprint performed entirely underwater on a single breath. This is usually restricted to 50-meter distances.

3. Immersion (IM): The swimmer stays underwater using a monofin and a small compressed air cylinder held in front of the body.

4. Bi-Fins (BF): Performed on the surface with a snorkel using a traditional "flutter kick" and two separate fins.

Speed Comparison

To put the "definition" of the sport into perspective, finswimmers are significantly faster than traditional swimmers. For example, a top 50m freestyle swimmer might clock around 21 seconds, whereas a top 50m surface finswimmer can cover the same distance in under 14 seconds.

A Short History of Finswimming

The history of finswimming is a fascinating journey from naval utility to a high-speed competitive sport. It evolved from early rubber flippers into the "dolphin-style" movement seen today, with a strong community presence in Australia that dates back over 50 years.

Global History: From Naval Tools to "Human Dolphins"

Finswimming’s origins are deeply rooted in the mid-20th century, specifically in France and the former Soviet Union.

• The Invention (1930s): Modern fins were patented by French Naval Officer Louis de Corlieu in 1933. Originally called "propulseurs de natation," they were designed for life-saving and military operations.

• First Competitions (1930s–1950s): The first recorded official events took place in 1936 in France. By the 1950s, more structured competitions emerged across Europe, primarily in lakes and rivers.

• The Formation of CMAS (1959): The World Underwater Federation (CMAS) was founded in Brussels. Finswimming was one of the core sports recognized by the federation, providing a global governing structure.

• The Monofin Revolution (1970–1972): This was the sport's biggest turning point. The invention of the fiberglass monofin in 1970 (mass-produced around 1972) completely changed the technique. Athletes moved away from the "flutter kick" used in traditional swimming toward the "dolphin kick," allowing them to reach speeds of up to 12 km/h.

• World Championships (1976): The first official CMAS World Finswimming Championships were held in **Hannover, West Germany**. Since then, the sport has grown significantly, particularly in Russia, China, and Italy.

History in Australia: Half a Century of Competition

Australia has a long-standing tradition in finswimming, often linked with its strong culture of spearfishing and skin diving.

• Early Days (1970): Finswimming was first formally introduced as a "finning competition" during the Australian Skindiving Convention in Edithburgh, South Australia, in December 1970.

• National Expansion: Throughout the 1970s and 80s, the sport grew in popularity across New South Wales, Tasmania, and Victoria. It was initially managed as a sub-discipline under the Australian Underwater Federation (AUF).

• The Rise of "OZFIN": Eventually, the Australian Finswimming Commission (OZFIN) was established as the national body under the AUF umbrella to manage dedicated national championships and international team selections.

• International Debut (1990): Australia first competed on the world stage in 1990 at the 5th World Championships in Rome, represented by individual competitor Les Proud. The first full Australian team debuted shortly after at the 1992 World Championships in Athens.

• Modern Era: Today, Australia hosts annual National Championships (often held in Hobart or Perth) and maintains a strong presence internationally in Master's categories.