Finswimming is one of the most exciting water sport ever. Finswimming is a sport belonging to the aquatic specialties which, using specific equipment (monofin, fins, snorkel or cylinders) allows the athlete to reach much higher speeds than swimming. There are indoor (swimming pools) and open water (sea, lake, rivers) championships.

To which federation belongs Finswimming?

The international federation to which fin swimming belongs is CMAS, the Confédération Mondial des Activités Subaquatiques, which is part of the ARISF, and is a discipline recognized by the IOC.

Is there an age limit to join Finswimming?

Finswimming is suitable for any age . In fact, there are competitions for very young people, for children and adults and for veterans, over 25 years old.

How can I find a Finswimming club?

You can find Finswimming clubs easily, just looking on the internet.

How can i stay updated with Finswimming News?

Finswimmer Magazine is the most comprehensive web site about Finswimming in which you can find events, updates and everything about Finswimming.

18th Christmas Cup Finswimming Championship Returns to Lignano Sabbiadoro - Finswimmer Magazine

The A.S.D. GOCCE DI EVENTI sports association is set to host the 18th edition of the Christmas Cup finswimming competition, a prestigious event dedicated to competitive swimming categories. The three-day championship will take place at the “Bella Italia” Sports Village in Lignano Sabbiadoro, Udine, from Friday, December 12 through Sunday, December 14, 2025.

World-Class Facilities

The competition will be held in a 50-meter pool with 8 lanes, providing optimal conditions for athletes to showcase their skills. The venue offers comprehensive facilities including accommodation, dining services, and an auditorium for award ceremonies located above the pool area.

Location: Lignano Sabbiadoro, Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, 33054, Italia

Competition Schedule

The event kicks off on Friday evening with athlete accreditation and dinner. The main competitions begin Saturday morning with separate sessions for female and male participants across various categories and disciplines.

Saturday’s Program

The day starts at 8:00 AM with a female warm-up session, followed by an opening ceremony at 8:40 AM. Events include 200-meter fins, 50-meter apnea, 200-meter monofin races, and relay competitions. The program features multiple age categories from beginners (Esordienti) through third category, plus absolute CMAS categories. After a lunch break, afternoon sessions resume at 3:00 PM with 100-meter events in both fins and monofin disciplines. The day concludes with an awards ceremony at 9:15 PM in the auditorium.

Sunday’s Finals

Sunday morning begins at 9:00 AM with the final day of competition, featuring 50-meter sprint events across all categories. Individual awards for the female sector are presented before the male competitions, followed by team trophy presentations.

Participation Requirements

All competing clubs must be affiliated with F.I.P.S.A.S. (Italian Federation of Underwater Activities and Finswimming), and athletes must possess valid federation cards and identification documents. The competition follows both FIPSAS regulations for category championships and CMAS rules for absolute categories.

Athletes are limited to a maximum of three individual events throughout the competition. Teams may register one relay per category, with the beginners’ relay allowing mixed formations of both genders across all four birth years.

Accommodation Packages

The organization offers several package options ranging from complete packages at €125-135 (including two days of full board, competition fees, and merchandise) to normal packages at €70-80 (one day full board). Parents and companions have separate package options at reduced rates. Athletes not staying at Bella Italia can participate for €45, which includes competition fees, merchandise, and one meal.

A late registration surcharge of €50 applies for entries accepted after the deadline, though no substitutions are permitted for individual events once registration closes.

Awards and Recognition

Medals will be awarded to the top three finishers in each category, gender, and distance. In the beginners’ category, individual awards extend to the top eight competitors. The highlight of the event is the presentation of the 18th Christmas Cup Trophy to the team accumulating the highest point total across all competitions.

Safety and Regulations

The event adheres to strict anti-doping protocols in accordance with the WADA World Anti-Doping Program. Officials from the Italian Timekeepers Federation will provide electronic timing, ensuring accurate and fair results. The competition will be overseen by qualified judges from the Finswimming sector.

Access to the village is restricted to registered guests and participants, with potential entry fees for non-accredited visitors. Team leaders are responsible for athlete behavior throughout the event, and official team uniforms are mandatory during ceremonies.

Registration Process

Registration is conducted through the online system accessible via the FIPSAS website (www.fipsas.it). Societies must also submit a complete list of all participants, including coaches and companions, to christmascup@libero.it. Payment must be made exclusively via bank transfer to the organizing association’s designated account.

This annual tradition continues to provide a competitive yet festive atmosphere for finswimming athletes to close out the year, combining athletic excellence with the spirit of the holiday season in one of Italy’s premier sporting destinations.

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