From October 2nd to 8th, the European Finswimming Championships were held in Italy.
Two athletes from Alsace, and to be more precise, from the Villé Valley, distinguished themselves there.
The pair of fin swimmers, Sarah and Julien Sebire, both members of the Sélestat-Nage avec Palmes diving club, each brought home a gold medal.
We will ask them a few questions about their achievement, their lifestyle and above all, about what fin swimming is and the different events offered in this little-known sport which is tending to develop.
Hello Sarah, hello Julien.
Are you both originally from the Villé Valley?
Not at all! I'm from the North of France and Julien is from Normandy. We lived in the Paris region for a few years for professional reasons and as soon as we had the opportunity, we moved. We chose Alsace for the beauty of the region, because there is a very good finswimming club (CPS Sélestat) and because they practice underwater orienteering there, which is a little-known sport that combines underwater navigation and finswimming (NAP).
"We participate in a lot of competitions. It's a time we love because it allows us to see our friends again and have great weekends."
Finswimming isn't a sport that receives much media attention, so we don't know much about it. Could you tell us about the sport and the different events offered in competitions?
NAP is first and foremost a gliding sport. The goal is to replicate the movement of a dolphin. Physically, it's a very complete sport that works all parts of the body, including the back, thanks to the undulating motion. And it's not a high-impact sport, since you work in the water and there's no shock to the joints.
It can be practiced at any age. In Sélestat, for example, there's a youth section, an adult recreational section, and a competitive section. NAP (Natural Aquatic Activities) takes place in swimming pools and open water (sea, lake, river). In the pool, distances range from 50m to 1500m. There are swimmers who specialize in sprints (pure speed): 50 and 100m. Middle-distance swimmers swim 200, 400, and 800m. The 1500m and 6km open water events are for long-distance swimmers who enjoy endurance.
In swimming pools, there are also underwater distances, in freediving or immersion with tanks.
And you? What is your favorite event?
Julien: I'm a long-distance runner. I'm a "diesel engine," as they say. I like the 6km race, and before I used to do the 20km.
Sarah: Unlike Julien, who started NAP (Natural Activity Program) young (at 9 years old), I started as an adult (at 28). So I'm still discovering myself! I thought I was also a "diesel engine," but recently I've had a little breakthrough with sprinting.
In any case, congratulations on these results.
Sarah returned from the European Championships with two gold medals (100 meters surface - 400 meters surface) and one silver medal (50 meters apnea).
Julien also brought home two gold medals (400 meters surface - 800 meters surface) and one bronze medal (200 meters surface).
Do you swim together, live together, is your whole life centered around finswimming, or do you find and make time for other activities?
Yes, that's true. And our 8-year-old son swims too. The youngest one can too, if he wants to. We participate in a lot of competitions. It's something we love because it allows us to see our friends again and have great weekends. We go as a family. Our children have always been used to swimming pools. But we also find time for other activities: we go cycling as a family, and we take walks in the valley.
What are the upcoming competitions?
With a European championship title, will you be able to start a race at the world championships?
Unfortunately, due to Covid, the French Club Cup has been cancelled. It was supposed to take place in Brest in December. It's a bit of a blow, because every year this Cup is highly anticipated. It's a fantastic competition with an incredible atmosphere.
Regarding the European or World Championships, in our age category, Veteran (from 30 years old), yes, we will be able to participate in the World Championships.
Julien has already participated several times in the Senior World Championships (from 18 years old).
And in the valley?
What are your favorite places?
Our favorite places are the Falkenstein rock, Bernstein Castle, and Saint Giles Church.
But there are still so many places for us to discover!
Do you swim at Aquavallée from time to time?
Yes, of course, we go to Aquavallée. But not really to swim. We take the children there to have fun. They love the water slide, and in the summer, the inflatable structure.
Sarah, Julien, if you had to give one reason to come and try swimming with fins, what would it be?
Sarah: to feel her body, to be in the present moment.
Julien: the sensation of gliding
If you love water sports, this is THE sport to do. It can be enjoyed recreationally for health and well-being, and competitively with demanding training that allows you to push your limits, boost your confidence, and experience the immense satisfaction of improving.
Sarah and Julien, thank you very much for all this information and for your time.
Your sport is very attractive because of the atmosphere you describe, but also because of the wide variety of categories and types of events.
The entire team at the Office congratulates you on your results and wishes you continued success!
We also thank E.Traverso for the magnificent photos that allowed us to illustrate this article.