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.

Balakovo Hosted Underwater Sports Championship in Honor of Defender of the Fatherland Day - Finswimmer Magazine

On 21 February 2026, the city of Balakovo welcomed young and experienced athletes to the 50-meter pool of MAU DO “SS Albatros” for the Balakovo Underwater Sports Championship dedicated to Defender of the Fatherland Day. The competition brought together participants from across the Saratov Oblast, celebrating both sporting excellence and national tradition in Russia.

The event featured a full program of underwater disciplines, including finswimming, classic finswimming, and diving. Athletes of different age groups competed across multiple distances, highlighting the depth of local talent and the strong development of underwater sports at the grassroots level.

Location: Balakovo, городское поселение Балаково, Балаковский район, Oblast' di Saratov, Circondario federale del Volga, Russia

Strong Performances Across Disciplines

In the 200-meter classic finswimming races, young swimmers delivered impressive results. Ivan Shabalin secured first place in the boys’ event, while Polina Arkhipova led the girls’ standings with a strong performance. In the 200-meter finswimming event, Miron Poryadchenko and Nicole Tagaeva topped their respective categories.

The longer distances also produced notable performances. In the 400-meter classic finswimming, Alexandra Guskova recorded one of the standout results, finishing first with an excellent time of 4:38.69. Among male competitors, experienced athletes such as Alexey Smirnov and Konstantin Kochen delivered competitive times in tightly contested races.

In finswimming over 400 meters, Evgeny Boldanov posted the fastest result in his category with an impressive 3:22.61, demonstrating high-level conditioning and technical control. Meanwhile, several junior swimmers achieved strong finishes, underlining the promising future of the sport in the region.

Diving Competition Highlights

The diving obstacle course (100 meters) provided additional excitement. Konstantin Kochen claimed victory in the senior men’s category, while Artem Mulyavka led the junior field with a particularly fast time. In the women’s division, Lada Sevostyanova secured first place, and among junior girls, Daria Zhelnova delivered a winning performance.

Developing the Next Generation

The championship featured a large number of youth participants, many competing in official classifications for the first time. The breadth of age groups and performance levels reflected the strong organizational structure of local training programs and the dedication of coaches and officials supporting the sport.

A panel of certified judges oversaw the competition, ensuring accurate timing and adherence to technical regulations throughout the event.

A Celebration of Sport and Community

Beyond the results, the Balakovo Underwater Sports Championship served as a celebration of athletic development, discipline, and community spirit. The event highlighted the continuing growth of underwater sports in the region and provided valuable competitive experience for emerging athletes.

Detailed race results confirm the high participation level and wide range of performances across all categories, emphasizing the championship’s role as an important milestone in the local sporting calendar.

RESULTS