Finis Australia swim tools

So there’s long fins which are over 63cm long and short ones which are under 63cm. Longer fins generate more thrust because they move more water with each kick. Moving more water also means you need more power to drive them. If your kick is weak or your kicking technique is incorrect, then you won’t get the benefits of long fin thrust efficiency.

How do you choose what flex your swim fins should be?

Fins have different levels of flexibility. Those that have a lot of flex can “scoop” the water and add snap to the kick. But stiffness is also necessary for applying force to the water in the first place. Fins need to hit a “sweet spot” between too stiff and too flexible. Too stiff and the fin will take too much energy to move and won’t “scoop” and “snap” the water effectively. Too flexible and there will be very little thrust.

FINIS designs innovative swim fins to help you swim better


The sweet spot has a lot to do with the length of the blade. Because long fins need to move more water, they experience greater resistance from that water. A stiffer blade can handle that resistance without bending overmuch. However, the same stiffness on a short blade would be inefficient. Conversely, the ideal flexibility for a short blade would make a long blade too floppy to be effective. It sure is a finicky equation!

What are swim fins made from?

How firm a fin is will also depends on the materials it is made from. Fins used to be made from natural rubber. Today, some are still made from rubber but a lot are molded from silicone and thermoplastic elastomers (silicone-plastic hybrids). Silicone gives modern fins a suppleness that not only improves the fluidity of the blade’s movement, but also makes for a more comfortable foot pocket. Thermoplastic elastomers are also very versatile and can be engineered with varying stiffness even along the same blade. Conversely, natural rubber is harder to precisely engineer, is less comfortable on bare skin, and is prone to hardening and cracking over time.

And now our fav - what can swim fins do for me?

Fins improve ankle flexibility due to the extra force placed on your ankles as you kick. The increased ankle flexibility delivers a more efficient flutter and improves kick speed. And when used with appropriate sets it is a great way to step up strengthening of the core and legs, as well as promoting an optimum body position in the water.

The EDGE FIN is an allrounder that builds core and leg strength. Its specially-designed side-rails help activate the hips and quads.  The Edge is also a silicone fin so it will mold to your feet after a number of sessions.  The fit is ideal for those with wider feet and toes that need a bit of space.
 
Finis Australia Edge fin

The innovative POSITIVE DRIVE FINS work for all four competitive strokes. Yes, even breaststroke and that is why they are often referred to as breaststroke fins. These fins have a unique ellipsoidal blade that promotes correct propulsion for any of the strokes. The asymmetrical shape and adjustable heel strap allow the swimmer to safely build power in the breaststroke kick. The short and wide blade promotes a natural inward supination kick style for backstroke, butterfly, and freestyle. These fins increase leg strength, foot speed, and ankle flexibility for all four strokes, which makes them a great tool for training the individual medley.

The traditional LONG FLOATING FIN can be the biggest cheat in the pool. The long hydrodynamic blade promotes slow kicking style while adding propulsion and lifting the body position high in the water. While strengthening the leg from its use, these fins can easily become a crutch that carries legs through the swimming session. That doesn’t mean that long fins are evil. When used as a training tool they help swimmers learn propulsion in the flutter and butterfly kicks with the longer kick encouraging the use of the hips for propulsion.
 

FINIS Evo monofins help strengthen your core

The EVO MONOFIN is the one that looks like someone has taken a chunk out between the feet.  These engages the abdomen, glutes, lower back, and quads. The also work on foot and ankle flexibility, while developing extreme kick power. These are great tools for any underwater work (both dolphin kicking in the prone position as well as underwater backstroke kick), but also for breaststroke drills. They increase awareness of kicking from the hip, rather than the knee, while encouraging good body balance and positioning.

 

Finis Australia Foil monofin

The FOIL MONOFIN is an amazing training tool which deals with both the up and down kick equally, creating a powerful undulating motion to the dolphin kick. This fin was made popular by coach Bob Gillett and his most famous pupil Misty Hyman, 2000 Olympic Gold Medalist in the 200m butterfly.

Need a hand? FINIS innovative equipment is designed to help you get more out of the water but sometimes it is hard to know what to use, when and how. Reach out to our Aussie Team anytime for help, tips and insights: info@finisaustralia.com