Finswimming

Finswimming is the competitive version of swimming with fins: swimmers cover the length of the pool on the surface, breathing through a front-mounted snorkel or holding their breath, whilst propulsion comes from a monofin — a single large blade that requires the whole body to undulate — or from bifins, which are more similar to traditional flippers. It is the fastest water sport: at the surface, speeds exceed 8 km/h, almost double that of freestyle. It originated in the 1950s from recreational diving and is governed by CMAS, the World Confederation of Underwater Activities founded in 1959 under the presidency of Jacques-Yves Cousteau; the first European championship was held in 1967, and the first world championship in 1976. In Italy, the sport is among the strongest in the world. The disciplines differ in terms of equipment and breathing: in surface swimming, competitors use a monofin and snorkel; in freediving, the entire distance is covered without breathing; and in bi-fin events, the technique and leg rhythm vary. Distances range from 50 to 400 metres, with the relays rounding off the programme. At the 20th Mediterranean Games in Taranto in 2026, fin swimming will take place on 26 and 27 August at the Torre d’Ayala Swimming Stadium, with 18 titles up for grabs across surface, bi-fin, freediving and mixed relay events.

• 1Three competition disciplines: surface (monofin and snorkel), freediving (the entire distance without breathing) and bifins
• 2Distances ranging from 50 to 400 metres, plus relays
• 3In the surface event, it is compulsory to keep part of the body above the water: prolonged submersion is penalised
• 4Equipment is checked before the competition: monofins, bifins and snorkels must comply with CMAS measurements
• 5In Taranto, 18 titles will be contested on 26 and 27 August at the Torre d’Ayala Swimming Stadium