Sharing the Appeal of Finswimming - Why I Got Hooked, and Why I Want You to Know About It!

Hello everyone, it's Yoshi, the fin-wearing president!

How do you feel when you introduce something you love to someone else?
In my case, whenever I talk about finswimming, my voice naturally gets louder (laughs).

Today is Thursday.
For a little break, let me talk about the appeal of my beloved finswimming for a change!
I'll also introduce some videos of the world's top-level races!

"Wait, isn't finswimming just swimming while wearing fins?"

That's right. Actually, at first, I also thought it was just "a sport where you swim with fins attached".
However, now that I've been involved in this sport for nearly 20 years, I make new discoveries about its depth almost every day.

I would be happy if I could convey even a little of that appeal to you... but let's start with the story of when I first saw finswimming.

That unforgettable shock

The most common reaction from people seeing finswimming for the first time is
"Wow! So fast!"
. Actually, I felt exactly the same way.

Even for people who have been swimming for a long time, the speed is enough to make you laugh in disbelief. Sometimes, Olympic athletes have even stared in amazement, saying, "I've never seen it like this before! It's too fast!".

Even now, I still get chills when I watch the world championship finals. I've lost count of how many times I've watched them, but I still got goosebumps at last year's world championships, of course!

Why, you ask?
In conclusion, because of its characteristics as a sport, finswimming also has great potential as a "spectator sport".

Let me explain the reasons for that a bit more concretely today.

I'll teach you the highlights of finswimming!

Short-distance races - The reason why a speed freak like me got hooked

• The sound of the fins hitting the starting block and the water at the start‼️
  💡 Actually, I love this sound!

• The acceleration underwater is just like a rocket🚀 💡 It reaches the 15m mark in under 4 seconds!
  

• The technique of the athletes who reach top speed in an instant is amazing 💡 25m in 6 seconds, 50m in 13 seconds...!
  

Although I am a middle-distance athlete myself, when I recommend finswimming to others, unfortunately, I still recommend the short-distance races.
The reason is that, true to its nickname of the "fastest underwater sport", it is packed with everything that makes finswimming what it is.

But middle and long-distance races have an appeal that is just as strong! Middle-distance races, packed with technique and strategy, are probably the distances most supported by experts and geeks!

Middle and long-distance races - A beauty that is surprisingly little known

• A swimming style that looks just like a mermaid
  👉 Actually, this is an analogy I often use when coaching!

• The upper body is still, but the fins move powerfully
  👉 This contrast is satisfying to watch!

• Differences in swimming style that reveal each athlete's personality and strategy 👉 Actually, this is one of my research topics
  

It's so different from competitive swimming!

I wasn't that fast as a competitive swimmer. But when I encountered finswimming, I realized the new possibilities of swimming.

For example, here are two major differences between competitive swimming and finswimming. If you think about it as a spectator sport, which one do you find more interesting?

1. A sport that uses equipment

• Finding the right fin for you is a skill in itself!
  💡 I find this quest incredibly fun.

• Your performance can change drastically depending on your compatibility with the fin!
  💡 It's not just about the body or just the gear! The range of strategy is vast!

• The way you handle the fin can lead to a completely different swimming style!
  💡 This is where craftsmanship shines!

2. Dramatic Race Developments

• There are many unexpected race developments that keep you breathless until the very end!
  💡 The speed fluctuates wildly due to the load of the fins, and sometimes the gap closes in an instant in the final 10 meters!

• You can't take your eyes off it until the end—this is the true thrill of the sport!
  💡 Actually, I love this unpredictability!

I want you to see this excitement for yourself.

Finswimming is included as a popular event in the World Games, one of the world's top sports events.
Please watch the video of the men's 100m race from the 2022 World Games held in the United States👇 I think you'll be able to feel the incredible intensity!

What did you think?
If you're watching for the first time, please let me know your honest impressions in the comments! (I'm genuinely curious about what kind of impression it makes!)

It's amazing enough on video, but seeing it live makes the intensity feel many times greater!

Why is that? Well...

• Because you can directly feel the power of the water sounds and waves!
  ✅ This vibration resonates to the core of your body!

• Because you can see the athletes' serious swimming up close!
  ✅ The tension doesn't come across in a stream! This is what sports is all about!

• Because you can enjoy the atmosphere of the entire venue!
  ✅ Let's share the joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure with the athletes!

Finswimming tournaments are all free to watch!
Why not come to the venue at least once?

And what happens if you try it...?

"Looks fun!"
"Actually, I want to do it rather than watch!"
If you thought that, your intuition is not wrong!

Watching is fun, but when you actually put on fins and swim...
Yes, you'll understand why I got so hooked that I've dedicated my life to finswimming!

Starting with a trial session is fine too.
Why don't you experience a new world of swimming?
If you're interested, please leave a comment!

A final word

Finswimming is still a small sport. But I think that's just because many people don't know its appeal.
That's why I've been working hard on grassroots promotion since I was a student, wanting to share its charm and this new world of water with as many people as possible.

I truly feel that I'm so glad I encountered this sport.
I would be happy if even a little of that appeal reaches you!

So, thank you once again for reading this far.

If you found this content good or learned something new,
I would be happy if you could support me with a "Like❤️," "Follow✅," "Share♻️," or "Tip💙"...!

Also, I will continue to share information that will be useful to you, such as training introductions and swimming explanations that you won't hear anywhere else, so please let me know by entering your "questions or topics you're curious about" in the "comment section"!

See you next time!
Bye for now!

Finswimming Specialist
Fin President Yoshihide Sekino

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