Finswimming joined the very large family of International University Sports Federation (FISU)-recognised sports in 2017. Athletes can swim both on the surface (in a pool or in open water) and underwater, they can use a monofin or a bi-fin, and they can hold their breath, breathe through a snorkel or even use an underwater apparatus.

The official definition of the sport by the World Underwater Federation is as follows: "By finswimming we mean the use of a monofin or with a bi-fin, either on the surface or underwater, by means of the swimmer's muscular strength alone and without the use of any mechanism, not even muscle power. For underwater events with breathing apparatus, only compressed air sub-aqua equipment is permitted." 

Students will compete in three different categories. Surface finswimming (SF), which takes place on the surface of the water using a mask, snorkel and monofins. Swimmers must remain on the surface at all times during the race, except when starting or turning at the end of the pool. 

Then there is Apnea Finswimming (AP), which involves swimming underwater in a pool using a mask, monofins and holding your breath. AP races are held over a distance of 50 metres. A swimmer's face must be underwater for the duration of the race or he/she risks disqualification. 

Finally, Immersion Finswimming (BF) is the use of a mask, monofin and underwater breathing apparatus in a swimming pool. It cannot be changed or abandoned during the race. The swimmer's face must also be submerged for the entire duration of the race. 

The best way to understand Finswimming is of course to watch a competition. Over the next two days, 113 athletes from 16 countries will compete in the outdoor Olympic swimming pool at the Aquatic Sports Village in Pereira, and the races will be streamed live on FISU.tv (see below). 

Pereira is the capital city of the Colombian department of Risaralda. It's located in the foothills of the Andes in a coffee producing area of Colombia, officially known as the "Coffee Axis", which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia". The weather will be cloudy with some showers, and the daytime temperature will be around 27 degrees. Ready to dive into the world of fin swimming?

The programme of the 2024 FISU World University Championships Finswimming: 

-26 April (morning - from 15h30 CET): 50m Apnea (AP) Women; 50m Immersion (BF) Women; 100m Surface (SF) Men; 100m BF Men; 200m SF Women; 200m BF Women; 400m SF Men; 400m BF Men; 800m SF Women slow heats; 4x100m SF Mixed (if more than 8 teams); 4x50m BF Mixed (if more than 8 teams). 

-26 April (afternoon - from 21h30 CET): 50m AP final Women; 50m BF final Women; 100m SF final Men; 100m BF final Men; 200m SF final Women; 200m BF final Women; 400m SF final Men; 400m BF final Men; 800m SF fast heat final Women; 4x100m SF final Mixed; 4x50m BF final Mixed. 

-27 April (morning - from 15h30 CET): 50m AP Men; 50m BF Men; 100m SF Women; 100m BF Women; 200m SF Men; 200m BF Men; 400m SF Women; 400m BF Women; 800m SF Men slow heats; 4x100m BF Mixed (if more than 8 teams): 4x50m SF Mixed (if more than 8 teams). 

-27 April (afternoon - from 21h30 CET): 50m AP final Men; 50m BF final Men; 100m SF final Women ; 100m BF final Women; 200M SF final Men; 200M BF final Men; 400m SF final Women; 400m BF final Women; 800m SF fast heat Men; 4x100m BF final Mixed, 4x50m SF final Mixed; and Closing Ceremony.