Practice of the sport and supporting infrastructure
Finswimming in the United Kingdom (UK) is practiced at both regional and national level via a network of clubs affiliated to a national body, the British Finswimming Association (BFA).
The BFA is considered by proponents of finswimming being as the National Governing Body for Finswimming in the United Kingdom.[1] However, as of November 2013, the British government recognises the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC) as being the National Governing Body responsible for this sport.[2]
The BFA was formed in 1999 following the creation of the British Underwater Sports Association in 1998 as a body to represent British underwater sports to the Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques (CMAS) following the expulsion of the BSAC as the CMAS affiliate for the UK.[3]
BFA's membership of the BUSA entitles it to compete in international competitions conducted under the auspices of CMAS.[4]
The BFA is club-based organisation managed on a day-to-day basis by an executive committee. Its services include the provision of public liability insurance and access to a coaching program.[5]
Clubs[]
As of April 2017, competition at a regional level within the UK is offered by the following clubs:[6]
Northern Lights Finswimming Club (Newcastle and North Tyneside)[11]
LondonFin Swimming and Finswimming Club (London)[12]
Competitions[]
Regional[]
Regional competition is offered by the BFA club system.[citation needed]
National[]
There is an annual National Short Course (25 m pool) Finswimming Championships in the United Kingdom, which are traditionally held at the Edenbridge Leisure Centre, Edenbridge, Kent in November.[citation needed] As of 2007, the annual National Long Course (50 m pool) Finswimming Championships have been held; the first being held in Aldershot, Hampshire.[citation needed]
International[]
British finswimmers compete at international level including events offered within Europe at both national and continental level, and events offered within the sporting framework associated with the Commonwealth of Nations.[13][14][citation needed]