2026 CMAS World Championship Finswimming Open Water Masters: Egypt Calls Indian Athletes to the Red Sea

The Underwater Sports Association (India) — USAI, India's official CMAS-affiliated Underwater Sports Federation of India, is delighted to invite eligible Masters-category athletes to compete at the 2026 CMAS World Championship Finswimming Open Water Masters, taking place from 2nd to 5th November 2026 in the breathtaking coastal city of Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

Hosted by the Egyptian Diving and Lifesaving Federation (EDLF) under the aegis of CMAS, this championship brings together Masters-category finswimming athletes from across the globe to compete on the stunning shores of the Red Sea — a fitting stage for a discipline built on speed, strength, and endurance.

A Championship Rooted in Global Unity

In her welcome message for the championship, CMAS President Anna Arzhanova described the event as representing the highest level of international competition within the CMAS calendar, reflecting the sport's core principles: high standards of performance, respect for rules and officials, and the spirit of fair and friendly competition between nations.

Sameh Elshazly, EDLF President and CMAS Board of Directors Member, echoed that spirit in his own welcome note, calling the championship "a crowning moment in our global finswimming calendar" and describing it as a gathering of diverse traditions and disciplines that bridges continents through shared purpose. Egypt's Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Gohar Nabil, also extended a warm welcome to athletes, delegates, and coaches, highlighting Sharm El Sheikh's blend of natural beauty, world-class sports infrastructure, and international hospitality as the perfect setting for the championship.

About the Venue: Sharm El Maya Bay

The championship will be held at Sharm El Maya Bay, one of the Red Sea's most iconic coastal locations. Known for its calm turquoise waters, excellent visibility, and favourable sea conditions throughout the year, the bay offers an ideal environment for open water competition. Its sheltered coastline, minimal wave activity, and stunning natural scenery — combined with easy access from Sharm El Sheikh International Airport — make it a genuinely outstanding host location for athletes, officials, and spectators alike.

Athletes travelling for the championship can expect the following conditions during the event window:

• Daytime temperatures: approximately 26–28°C by early November
• Nighttime temperatures: approximately 18–20°C by early November
• Sea water temperature: approximately 25.5–26.5°C in early November

Who Can Compete: Masters Categories

The championship follows CMAS's official Masters age-group structure. Each athlete is registered for individual events according to their age category:

• M30+, M40+, M50+, M60+, M70+, M80+

For relay events, teams are categorised based on the combined ages of all team members:

Only participants holding a valid CMAS license are eligible to compete. Swimmers register individually or as representatives of a club — no swimmer or team may be designated as officially representing a country, though a "Federal Team" label is authorised. Since federal and club teams are not classified as national teams, a club or federation may enter more than one relay team per age group. Masters swimmers must compete exclusively within their registered age category throughout the championship.

Championship Events

The 2026 CMAS World Championship Finswimming Open Water Masters features the following events:

Individual (Men & Women):

• 1 km Surface (SF)
• 3 km Surface (SF)
• 1 km Bi-Fins (BF)
• 3 km Bi-Fins (BF)

Relay:

• 4 x 1 km Surfaced Bi-fins (SB) Mixed

There is no limit on the number of individual races an athlete may enter. All members of a Masters relay team must belong to the Masters category and be at least 30 years old, with mixed relays following a fixed starting order of man–woman–man–woman.

Competition Schedule

• 2nd November (Day -1): Arrival of delegations, training
• 3rd November (Day 1): Technical meeting and training (morning); 4x1km SB relay (afternoon)
• 4th November (Day 2): 1km BF Women, 1km BF Men, 3km SF Women, 3km SF Men (morning); 1km SF Women, 1km SF Men, 3km BF Women, 3km BF Men (afternoon)
• 5th November (Day 3): Departure of delegations

Officiating, Fair Play & Safety

The championship will be overseen by a CMAS Technical Delegate, with all protests handled according to official CMAS rules. In line with international standards, anti-doping testing may be conducted throughout the event, in accordance with WADA regulations and the CMAS anti-doping code. Gold, silver, and bronze medals will be awarded for each distance in individual races, and for each relay, across every age group for men and women, or mixed teams.

A Proud Opportunity for Indian Masters Athletes

For India's Masters-category finswimming athletes, this championship represents a genuine opportunity to compete on one of the sport's most prestigious international stages — proving that competitive excellence in underwater sports knows no age limit. As India's official Underwater Sports Federation, USAI is committed to supporting eligible Indian Masters athletes through every step of the qualification and travel process for this event.

Eligible athletes, coaches, and state units interested in representing India at the 2026 CMAS World Championship Finswimming Open Water Masters are encouraged to reach out to USAI at the earliest to understand the registration process and applicable timelines.

For More Information

For all queries regarding participation, registration, and event details, athletes can reach out directly to:

Underwater Sports Association (India) Mr. Kuldip Patil Mobile: +91 7030318030 Email: info@underwatersportsindia.com Website: underwatersportsindia.com

Stay Connected

For more updates on international CMAS championships and everything related to underwater sports and finswimming in India, keep visiting underwatersportsindia.com — the official website of the Underwater Sports Association (India), USAI.