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International Federation · Underwater Sports

CMAS — World Underwater Federation

The world federation of underwater sports since 1959 — founded under Jacques-Yves Cousteau, 139 member states, governing finswimming and all sport beneath the surface.
✓ Last reviewed: August 2026
FoundedJanuary 1959, Monaco — Jacques-Yves Cousteau its first president
HeadquartersRome, Italy
Members139 member states across five continents
GovernsFinswimming · underwater sports (hockey, rugby, orienteering, photography) · diver training standards

What is CMAS?

CMAS — the Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques, or World Underwater Federation — is the world governing body of underwater sport and diving: founded in Monaco in January 1959 with Jacques-Yves Cousteau as its first president, headquartered in Rome, and uniting 139 member states.[1] [2]

What does CMAS govern?

Finswimming above all, plus underwater hockey, underwater rugby, orienteering, spearfishing, freediving disciplines and underwater photography — with a scientific committee and the diver training standards that certify recreational divers worldwide. It ratifies world records and runs world championships across its sports.[2] [3]

Why does CMAS matter?

It is the oldest and largest federation of the underwater world — IOC-recognized, the selector of World Games fields, and the single source of official records, rankings and championship results for every finswimmer on Earth.[1] [3]

References

  1. CMAS — About. Accessed August 2026.
  2. CMAS — official site. Accessed August 2026.
  3. IWGA — Underwater sports at the World Games. Accessed August 2026.