About BELSWIM

The Royal Belgian Swimming Federation (RBSF / BELSWIM) was founded in 1902 as a non-profit association (private legal entity) and is the only national governing body in Belgium recognised by all international federations and by the International Olympic Committee IOC as only representative in charge of the Belgian aquatic sports on a national and international level.

The Royal Belgian Swimming Federation is one of the founding members of FINA (Fédération Internationale Natation – International Swimming Federation) and LEN (Ligue Européenne de Natation – European Swimming Federation). In addition, the Royal Belgian Swimming Federation is also affiliated to the Belgian Olympic Committee (NOC BEL).

Under its jurisdiction the Royal Belgian Swimming Federation is in charge of the organisation of all official Belgian Championships for the 5 Olympic aquatic disciplines (Swimming, Water Polo, Diving, Open Water Swimming and Artistic Swimming), the selection and staffing of national teams in these 5 Olympic disciplines in regard to their participation at international championships and competitions (such as EC, WC, etc.), the uniform national rule-making for all aquatic sports disciplines and the general promotion of swimming through the distribution of national swimming certificates.

Besides Athletics and Gymnastics the Royal Belgian Swimming Federation represents one of the three basis Olympic sports disciplines.

In 1977, 2 regional swimming federations were created, the Vlaamse Zwemfederatie (VZF) and the Fédération Francophone Belge de Natation (FFBN), to become the regional members of the Royal Belgian Swimming Federation.

What is the Royal Belgian Swimming Federation (BELSWIM) all about?

• 237 affiliated clubs: 156 Flemish at the VZF and 81 French speaking at the FFBN.
• 66.388 registered members (recreational and competitive as well) of which 75% are youth members under the age of 18 years.
• Five Olympic disciplines (Swimming, Water Polo, Diving, Open Water Swimming and Artistic Swimming).
• 115.000 national swimming certificates annually.

In this section you will discover all information about the functioning and the structures of the Royal Belgian Swimming Federation, including the composition and minutes of all federal committees, the constitution and the general federal rulebook, etc.