Finswimming
Fin swimming is the fastest way to get around on their own in the water as a competitive sport. This helps the so-called mono fin, a large fin are fixed in both feet. With dolphin -like movements are a top speed of well above 3 m / s is reached ( 50m world record of 2008: 14.04 s ). Since 2006, this sports pages of the German federation is called Finswimming.
Equipment
The basic equipment of each fin float counts the monofin ( in some exceptional cases even the Duo or stereo fin), a means for snorkeling over water routes, as well as a mask or goggles.
The large sheet of monofin is made of fiberglass reinforced plastic. On her the base parts are attached, in which the athlete puts his feet. Made these fins are in Ukraine, Russia, China, Estonia, France and Italy. The fins most commonly used in Germany come from Kiev (Ukraine ) and Russia. In recent years, the fins have evolved considerably. Stock fin earlier only from the fin blade and the foot parts made of rubber, so the fin blade is additionally coated with the new fins on the top edges with neoprene and a rubber layer which supports the float while hitting the fin and the water flow-favorable to the fin forwards. This fin type is called Android named after its inventor or the first manufacturer Andronov from Smolensk, which takes quite some time in underwater orienteering used. Other names by different manufacturers are Skorjenko / Wing (Russia), ChenBin (China), Hyper (Estonia) and Gipper (Ukraine).
In the above-water routes is breathed over the center snorkel. In contrast to "normal" snorkel, as we know him from diving here, this does not extend to the side of the head, but from the mouth through the nose upward. In order to achieve a streamlined shape, it is slightly curved towards the rear.
To also see something in the water, you use a mask. This is made of plastic and has both eyes and nose protection from the water. Some trainers recommend the use of a mask and recommend swimming goggles.
Competition
Fins swimming competitions are predominantly played in the swimming pool with the known path lengths from 50m to 1500m. Even longer distances are similar swam the classic long-distance swimming in open water.
For a standard competition program includes 50, 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1500 meters FS. FS stands for fin swimming and means that the competition will be contested at the water surface. On the route about 50m FS wearing and use of the snorkel is mandatory to make a distinction to the 50m apnea (ST ) discipline. The said 50m apnea / ST (ST = distance diving ) of the athletes emerged with held breath (see Apnea diving) all the way through. More underwater race courses are 100m, 400m and 800m ST, which formerly DTG (DTG = compressed air diving apparatus ) were called. Here, the athlete uses a compressed air bottle with regulator, as well as in the classic diving, only with the difference that it pushes the compressed air with arms outstretched in front of them. In competitions find compressed air bottles in sizes from 0.5 to 7 liters using. There are only permitted compressed air bottles which have a fill pressure up to 200 bar and for which the 2- yearly technical inspection is available and stamped. Since the end of 2005, previously referred to as DTG distances are also swum under the abbreviation ST.
The rules are very similar to that of swimming. The differences found in the restriction to only two styles ( fin swimming (FS) and apnea (apnea / ST ) ), which is free to decide whether you can drive a monofin or with Duoflossen. The monofin is, however, superior to the Duo or stereo fins far. In contrast to the swimming competitions has the 15m mark, where the swimmer must have broken through to the FS routes to turn or start with the head of the water surface, are marked on bottom when Finswimming. A swimmer shall not be deemed surfaced in apnea / ST disciplines when the face of the float is above the water surface. If this is the case, he will be disqualified. In the FS- disciplines must after the 15m mark getting a body part or appliance (eg the snorkel) at the water surface to be.
Long-distance competitions are held in the open water. Here swim the ladies and gentlemen National 2 km, 6 km and 12 km. Internationally, there are still the race over 20 kilometers.
In all competitions, there are also relay races. Groups of 4 athletes swim in succession a certain distance. For example, 4x50, 4x100 or 4x200 FS FS. In some regional competitions, the 1400 FS team swimming is employed. Again, swim float 4, but 3 disciplines: 200m, 100m, 50m. All 4 one after the swim 200m, then 100m and finally 50m.
Take place at all levels of national and international competitions. For example, national championships, cups countries - here come the individual states against each other, North and South German Championships and of course German Championships for children, adolescents, adults and Masters ( seniors). The international highlights are mainly the World and European Championships, which are held alternately every two years and also for the youth. Similarly, the Olympic Games are the World Games for the Finswimmer every four years another peak represents the last World Games 2009 in Kaohsiung found (Taiwan) instead. At the international level will be for some years the CMAS World Cup ever greater attention since it enables a regular comparison at international level.
Finswimming is the International Olympic Committee (IOC ) recognized as an Olympic sport, but not yet added to the Olympic program.
Technology
Core objective of the swimming technique is always to be streamlined. To achieve this, the athlete tries to stretch his entire body. The arms are stretched forward and placed his hands on each other. Furthermore, the arms are placed on the head. The motion sequence is a full body movement. The body undergoes a wave-like motion, the amplitude of this wave in the upper body is quite low and is larger toward the toes. The best way to compare the movement of a dolphin. In addition, the head is all the time in the water. This allows that one is still streamlined and completed faster the swim course.