Finswimming launched in city
Mbombela was the first to introduce this exciting sport to swimmers of all ages.
An open day was arranged at the Training Edge West Acres swimming pool and kids could experience this exciting sport first-hand.
Finswimming consists of surface disciplines, apnea, or breath-holding disciplines (AP), immersion disciplines (IM) and long-distance disciplines (LD).
In the apnea discipline, swimmers hold their breath while racing underwater with a monofin. The distances for these races are 25 and 50 metres.
The races are ultra-fast with the 50 metre men’s record being 14,16 seconds. Surface disciplines are divided into monofin or single-fin (SF) events and bifins (BI). The current world record for men competing in surface swimming with a monofin is 15,20 seconds and 19,74 seconds with bifins.
The international controlling body, World Confederation of Underwater Activities (CMAS) was established in 1959 and has a large following in Europe, Asia and the Americas.
Although it is not an Olympic event, world championships are held every two years. South Africa had no official representation. In April 2015 James Munro was appointed as executive manager by the South African Underwater Sports Federation which is affiliated with CMAS and the South African Finswimming Association (Safsa) was born. This is a first in Africa and the association was warmly received by the countries associated with finswimming.
For any swimmer enjoying high speed under and on the surface of the water, this sport is for you.
Enquiries: James Munro on 082-883-1222.
