Even though it is a relatively little-known sport, finswimming has a long and successful tradition both worldwide and in Slovakia. It is especially popular in Russia, Colombia, and Europe. As the first person in Slovakia to take up finswimming, Vladimir Jendek founded the Sports Divers Club Neptún in 1962. Additional clubs gradually emerged, and currently there are 10 in Slovakia. There are 4 clubs in Bratislava, 2 in Zvolen, 2 in Šaľa, and 1 each in Senec and Žilina. Since the inception of the World Games in 1981, finswimming has been regularly included in the games program. World and European Championships have been held alternately every year since 1976.

Finswimming is a technical sport. During swimming, a monofin or bifins and a snorkel are used. Some disciplines are swum with a tank with an air supply. Competitions are held on distances from 50 meters to 1500 meters and marathons. The fastest discipline is 50 m apnea (underwater swimming on one breath). It is a very attractive and photogenic sport. It combines speed, elegance, and harmony of movement. Currently, the most successful swimmer in Slovakia is Adam Bukor, who in 2014 won the junior world championship title in the 800-meter event and two silver medals in Chania, Crete.

The Water Sports Club Barakuda, where Adam is also active, carries out its activities at the 50 m pool at Aquasport in Šaľa. If you are interested in swimming and would like to try this sport, come and join us. You are welcome! You can find sports clubs active in other towns on the website of the Union of Slovak Divers.

Author: Štefan Mika The author is a coach of the Water Sports Club Barakuda in Šaľa