Fin swimming at the Olympics

[Zept]

According to this morning's paper (a local freebie), fin swimming is a proposed medal sport for the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

"In fin swimming, swimmers place their arms together in front of their body and propel themselves forward using a mono fin.

"A mono fin is a large single fibreglass or plastic blade attached to both feet. Be it surface or underwater events (where a swimmer has to hold his [sic] breath), fin swimmers wear a snorkel."

Fin swimming has also been approved for the 2003 South-east Asia Games in Vietnam (hence the article in a Singapore paper).

Anyone fancy a medal?

Zept

 

[Damsel Fish]

Wouldn't they have to use a dolphin kick? I mean with a monofin that would seem to be the only way. That makes my back hurt to even think about.

 

[ScubaBaby]

Hey...lets all practise being dolphins!!! Sounds like more of a laugh than an olympic sport to me!!!

 

[Zept]

Originally posted by Damsel Fish
Wouldn't they have to use a dolphin kick?

Yep. Groovy pictures here. Check out that snorkel, too! Loads more links here.

There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of, etc.

Zept

 

[jbd]

I've been watching freediving competitions on OLN. The dynamic breath hold competition involves swimming underwater witha mono-fin. Its actually very graceful and quite fast. The real competition isn't over untill the athlete can demonstrate that he/she is in full control. If they have a samba they're disqualified.