Using Fins

Fins help propel you through the water with ease and eliminate the need for using hands. While using fins, allow your hands to hang at your side or another comfortable position. Trying to use your hands as well as your fins is harder work and very inefficient. Learn to rely on your fins for your propulsion needs.

There are two basic styles of fins, ones that fit your bare foot and ones that are worn over wetsuit boots or similar types of boots. The bare-foot style full-foot fin is often used snorkeling and skin diving while the open-heal adjustable fin that fits over a wetsuit boot is better for scuba – especially in colder water where thermal protection is needed. Using scuba, you are often in the water longer and the boot protects your foot with soft neoprene material while also reducing the chance of sand getting in between your foot and the fin pocket irritating your foot. What’s more, on your way to the dive you are able to wear the boots which will enable you to walk over rough surfaces. Then simply don the fins over the boots as you prepare to enter the water.

Fin blade shape and size depend on your needs as a diver. Many divers say that once they become used to a set of fins, they don’t want to change. Very flexible fins are good for divers with less leg strength while stiffer fins offer more power for the stronger leg. Manufacturers have attempted over the years to replicate the shape of fish fins but have not really succeeded. In the typical dive center, you will see several types of fins including long ones, short ones, some that are split like a fish tail, and others. Our bodies, especially when wearing scuba, are not streamlined like that of fish. So we must find a design that works better for us. Seek the advice of a dive leader or a knowledgeable store clerk when choosing your fins.

A complaint often heard from new students is that the fins are too long and hurt both legs and ankles. Split fins are easier on the ankles but also do not produce as much thrust. Remember, this is something new for you and it will take two or three pool sessions to adjust your body to the new means of propulsion. The best kick to develop is a somewhat wide flutter kick allowing your ankles to flex. Your knees should flex very little. If you flex your knees a lot, like riding a bicycle, you won’t get very far and your instinct will be to use your hands to push you along. Hands should be used for making changes in direction only.