Immersion Finswimming - it takes 'Bottle'!
Immersion Finswimming is arguably the least interesting of the Three
Finswimming Disciplines, because of the fact that the Spectators cannot
directly 'see' the swimmers - they are only indirectly visible below the
Pool Surface - but this is not borne out by the popularity of the
Discipline and the Immersion Race events at Finswimming Meets.
UK Immmersion Finswimming
In the UK, Finswimmers have to have an IMMERSION CERTIFICATE
before they can take-part in races. Getting a Certificate involves
knowledge of Safety issues such as with the Equipment, Correct Starts
from either in the pool or from Race Blocks, and Turning at the pool-end.
Immersion Races
Take place over 100, 200, 400 and 800 metres length.
Also, Relays over the 100,200 and 400 metre distances.
The Technique.
Because the distances involved in Immersion swims are generally
longer than some Surface and all APNEA events, the Monofins used are
more flexible and there is a greater emphasis on steady technique rather
than all-out Sprinting, although Sprinting does enter into the equation in
the shorter events. Turns must be exexcuted without the Cylinder
touching the pool end-wall.
The Equipment.
The most obvious extra equipment used is the Air Bottle, held out in
front of the Finswimmer in a streamline position, this varies in size
between about 0.7ltr capacity (for 100-200m immersion), and 5-6ltr
capacity, applicable to the longer events, or training sets.
In the UK, Air cylinders have to be made of Steel, and they must be
tested every 2 years, for defects.
The cylinder is connected to the Finswimmer by a hose and a modified
2nd-stage SCUBA regulator that fits in the swimmer's mouth.
Immersion Finswimming is arguably the least interesting of the Three
Finswimming Disciplines, because of the fact that the Spectators cannot
directly 'see' the swimmers - they are only indirectly visible below the
Pool Surface - but this is not borne out by the popularity of the
Discipline and the Immersion Race events at Finswimming Meets.
UK Immmersion Finswimming
In the UK, Finswimmers have to have an IMMERSION CERTIFICATE
before they can take-part in races. Getting a Certificate involves
knowledge of Safety issues such as with the Equipment, Correct Starts
from either in the pool or from Race Blocks, and Turning at the pool-end.
Immersion Races
Take place over 100, 200, 400 and 800 metres length.
Also, Relays over the 100,200 and 400 metre distances.
The Technique.
Because the distances involved in Immersion swims are generally
longer than some Surface and all APNEA events, the Monofins used are
more flexible and there is a greater emphasis on steady technique rather
than all-out Sprinting, although Sprinting does enter into the equation in
the shorter events. Turns must be exexcuted without the Cylinder
touching the pool end-wall.
The Equipment.
The most obvious extra equipment used is the Air Bottle, held out in
front of the Finswimmer in a streamline position, this varies in size
between about 0.7ltr capacity (for 100-200m immersion), and 5-6ltr
capacity, applicable to the longer events, or training sets.
In the UK, Air cylinders have to be made of Steel, and they must be
tested every 2 years, for defects.
The cylinder is connected to the Finswimmer by a hose and a modified
2nd-stage SCUBA regulator that fits in the swimmer's mouth.
Above: A fine view of
Dutch Finswimmer Jan
Pellicaan in 'Immersion
Mode'.
Note the customised
livery on the Air
Cylinder!
Photo: Courtesy
Zwemsport Club
Oceanus (NL)
Dutch Finswimmer Jan
Pellicaan in 'Immersion
Mode'.
Note the customised
livery on the Air
Cylinder!
Photo: Courtesy
Zwemsport Club
Oceanus (NL)
Above: Deutsche Girl: Susann Barkawitz - Start of the 100m Immersion
event at the 2007 CMAS World Aquatic games in Bari (ITA)
Photo: Courtesy vdst.de (D)
event at the 2007 CMAS World Aquatic games in Bari (ITA)
Photo: Courtesy vdst.de (D)
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