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.

National Finswimming Meeting Returns to Rennes - Finswimmer Magazine

March 14-15, 2026 | Piscine Bréquigny

The French Underwater Sports Federation (FFESSM) is set to host its first National Finswimming Meeting of 2026 at the renowned Bréquigny Pool in Rennes. This prestigious competition, scheduled for March 14-15, will bring together elite finswimmers from across France for two days of intense competition in one of the country’s premier aquatic facilities.

Location: Bréquigny, Quartiers Sud-Ouest, Rennes, Ille-et-Vilaine, Bretagna, Francia metropolitana, Francia

As a discipline combining speed, endurance, and technical precision, finswimming—known in France as ‘nage avec palmes’—continues to grow in popularity. This national meeting represents a crucial opportunity for athletes to showcase their skills and compete for regional and national honors.

World-Class Venue

The championship will take place at Piscine Bréquigny, located at Avenue Albert 1er in central Rennes. The facility features exceptional amenities for competitive swimming:

A 50-meter Olympic-standard pool with 8 lanes and starting blocks on both sides
A 25-meter recovery pool with 4 lanes for athlete warm-down

The dual-pool configuration allows for seamless competition management while providing athletes with dedicated space for preparation and recovery between events.

Competition Format and Events

The meeting will feature four competitive sessions across two days, with preliminary heats in the morning and finals in the afternoon. Athletes will compete in a comprehensive range of events designed to test different aspects of finswimming prowess.

Event Categories

Surface Finswimming (SF): 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, and 1500m events for both men and women

Bi-fins (BI): Sprint and middle-distance events (50m, 100m, 200m, 400m) showcasing the unique bi-fin technique

Immersion (IS): 100m, 200m, and 400m underwater events demonstrating breath-holding capacity and technique

Apnea (AP): 50m events combining finswimming with free diving skills

Competition Schedule Highlights

Friday, March 13: The competition weekend begins with club registration and payment verification (6:30-8:00 PM), followed by an optional training session from 7:00-8:00 PM on four 50-meter lanes.

Saturday, March 14: Competition commences with Session 1 at 8:30 AM, featuring preliminary heats in multiple events including the prestigious 1500m surface finswimming. Session 2 begins at 4:15 PM with finals and additional preliminary rounds.

Sunday, March 15: The championship concludes with Session 3 (8:30 AM) and Session 4 (3:15 PM), culminating in the 400m immersion finals and the awards ceremony for the top finishers across all categories.

Daily Session Times

Day	Morning Session	Afternoon Session
Saturday	8:30 AM start (warm-up 7:30 AM)	4:15 PM start (warm-up 3:15 PM)
Sunday	8:30 AM start (warm-up 7:30 AM)	3:15 PM start (warm-up 2:15 PM)

Note: All times are subject to adjustment based on final entry numbers.

Awards and Recognition

The national commission will recognize the top three finishers in each category (cadets, juniors, and seniors/masters) for their three best performances, in accordance with the 2025-2026 National Competitions regulations for National Meetings.

Results will be communicated to team managers via the WhatsApp group ’26MN1 Rennes-Team Managers,’ ensuring rapid dissemination of results. Award ceremonies will take place at the conclusion of each morning and evening session, celebrating both individual achievements and regional championships.

Important note: A €250 fine will be assessed for any medal winner who fails to attend the awards ceremony, as specified in the current Sports Regulations.

Brittany/Loire Valley Regional Championships

In addition to national recognition, the event will serve as the Brittany and Pays de la Loire regional championships. The top three ‘TC’ (toutes catégories/all categories) performers in both men’s and women’s divisions will receive special awards for each race.

For regional championship rankings, only performances achieved during preliminary heats will be counted. Given the large number of award presentations and time constraints, there will be a single call for medalists. If a medalist is absent, the medal will be presented to a club representative.

Practical Information for Participants

Registration and Payment

Entry fees must be paid via HelloAsso, with payment amounts communicated to clubs when start lists are published. Payment must be completed by the end of the first day of competition, with a €100 late penalty for delays.

Equipment and Facilities

Bottle filling services available Saturday and Sunday from 8:00-9:30 AM and 2:00-3:30 PM
Equipment may be left at the pool during lunch hours, though stands and lockers must be cleared each evening
Recovery pool available throughout the competition
Swim caps mandatory in all pool areas

Administrative Requirements

Team managers must have all mandatory administrative documents in their possession, subject to verification by the National Finswimming Commission at any time. In the event of anti-doping controls, athletes must present valid identification and, for minors, parental authorization.

Environmental Responsibility

Organizers are requesting special attention from all participating clubs regarding waste management and proper use of changing facilities. This commitment to environmental responsibility reflects the aquatic sports community’s dedication to preserving the natural resources that make their sport possible.

Looking Ahead

The National Finswimming Meeting in Rennes represents a significant milestone in the 2026 competitive calendar. As the first national meeting of the year, it sets the tone for the season ahead and provides athletes with an early opportunity to establish their credentials.

With its state-of-the-art facilities, comprehensive competition program, and dual role as both a national meeting and regional championship, the Rennes event promises to deliver exceptional sporting action. Athletes, coaches, and spectators can look forward to two days of high-level competition that celebrates the skill, dedication, and athleticism that define finswimming.

For more information about the event, including detailed regulations and competition updates, participants can join the official WhatsApp group or contact the event delegate, Antoine Fauveau, through official FFESSM channels.

For official regulations and additional details, visit: https://nap.ffessm.fr

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