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.

Interview with Justus Morstedt – European Record Holder and Triple Gold Medalist - Finswimmer Magazine

We had the opportunity to interview one of the main actors during the last Finswimming years, in particular the just closed European Finswimming Championships 2025 in Olsztyn (Poland) where the German Finswimmer Justus Morstedt got incredible performances and gave us an amazing show.

First of all we want to thank you for making yourself available for this interview. You broke the European Record in the 200m SF with a time of 1:18.94. Can you take us back to that moment? What was your mindset heading into the final, and did you know you were on pace for a record-breaking swim?

Before the competition, my coach told me I could break the record. In training over the past few weeks, I could really feel that I was in the best shape of my life. I knew I was capable of a fast time, as long as the race went smoothly from a tactical standpoint. In the final, I simply enjoyed it – I love the 200m. It’s exactly my kind of event. Still, when I saw the time, I was shocked. The first person to go under 1:19 without a polyurethane suit – unbelievable!

In addition to your record in the 200m SF, you also won gold in the 100m IM and played a key role in Germany’s 4x100m SF relay victory. How do you manage the physical and mental demands of competing across multiple events with such different distances and strategies?

Managing multiple events with such different demands takes a lot of self-confidence, something I had to earn over the course of my career. But really, it’s no different from what we do every day in training. That’s what prepares us to perform, when it counts. Of course, mental strength plays a big part too. I visualize my key races months in advance to make sure I’m fully focused and ready on race day.

Justus with his Coach Lutz Riemann

The German men’s team was a powerhouse at this championship, securing 19 medals and dominating many podiums. What do you think sets your team apart in terms of preparation, training culture, or team spirit?

What sets our team apart is the passion and dedication behind the scenes – especially from our coaches. Finswimming doesn’t have a high profile in Germany, and we often have to fight for funding and recognition. But despite all that, we’ve managed to stay ahead of countries with far greater resources. I believe that’s because we tailor our training to each individual athlete. It’s not a system where only a few make it through – everyone gets a real chance to reach their best.

Looking at your versatility—competing in both individual and relay events across surface and medley disciplines—how do you train to maintain such a broad skill set at an elite level? Do you focus more on endurance, technique, or explosive speed?

Our training is structured in phases throughout the season, where we focus on strength, technique, or specific endurance. It’s a very diverse program, and it never gets boring – especially because the athletes are involved in shaping it. Personally, I love strength and sprint training the most. Endurance training with the monofin? That’s the part I could happily skip – haha!

Screenshot

This championship saw a wave of young talents breaking through, including record-setting juniors. As an experienced athlete, how do you see the evolution of the sport and the new generation coming up? Does it push you to keep innovating and improving?

It’s truly inspiring to see so many young talents coming up and already breaking records. I hope I can be a role model for them and help pass on the values of fair competition. Despite the intensity of racing, finswimming is built on strong friendships across nations, and that spirit is something we have to protect. It’s what keeps the community together and the athletes involved in the long term.

Finally, what are your next goals? After a performance like this, are you setting your sights on World Championships, breaking the 200m SF World Record, or perhaps focusing on mentoring the next generation of German finswimmers?

The World Games will be my last international competition. It’s a difficult decision, but I’ve chosen to step away from elite sport to have more time for my family and friends. I’m also studying medicine full-time and will be taking my final exams next year, when the World Championships are scheduled in South Korea. On top of that, I’m working on my PhD. Still, I won’t be leaving the sport entirely. I’ll stay active in my club, keep in touch with international teammates, and do my best to support the future of finswimming.

Open question, say whatever you want!

Everyone who puts on a fin and shows up to compete is part of our big family and has played an important role in pushing this sport forward! To close, I’d like to say that I wouldn’t change a single thing about my journey. Every defeat and every victory has shaped me into the person I am today. High-performance sport is an incredible experience, but it always comes at the expense of personal time and pleasures. Now, I hope to make a clean break – and to be remembered as one of the best finswimmers in the sport. I can’t wait to see who’s going to break my records.

See you around!