Peggy values the multipurpose nature of shinfinTM fins for her swim training, water running, snorkeling and open water swimming. She finds they help her immensely with body positioning, balance and overall compatibility with the water. This is because they promote a smooth swimming style and leave her feet free. Of course, this also allows her to walk into the water for snorkeling.
Peggy’s review from Saskatchewan, Canada
“I want to use the fins for swim training, water running and snorkeling. What a difference! Kicking seemed so effortless, yet effective. With almost no effort, I was cruising past people I normally don’t pass. Then I played, dolphined down the pool, tried some water running and had a great time. I’m sure I’ll enjoy them enormously, and will spread the word here. It is about balance, and I loved the way I felt more ‘compatible’ with the water.”
“(Later) I continue to love the fins, and wore them snorkeling in Aruba with great success. People who were backing through the water with traditional fins did display some jealousy that I was able to walk straight in. I treasure them and will continue to take them ‘on tour’ with me wherever my swimsuit and goggles go.”
Peggy’s review: Swim training, water running & snorkeling: multipurpose fins
“I want to use the fins for swim training, water running and snorkeling. The second pair is for my son who is a triathlete and swimmer. I don’t know if you have sold other pairs in Saskatchewan, one of the Canadian provinces, but quite likely they will get some attention.”
“The fins arrived yesterday, so I rushed to the pool this morning to try them. What a difference! Kicking seemed so effortless, yet effective. With almost no effort, I was cruising past people I normally don’t pass. Then I played, dolphined down the pool, tried some water running and had a great time. I’m sure I’ll enjoy them enormously, and will spread the word here.”
“I have connections to the swim community in the province through the Masters Officials’ group, and am organizing the province’s first ever open water swim meet next summer. A formidable task here because the season between ice and algae in these northern lakes is rather short. It strikes me that these would be great for open water swimming. Too bad they’re not invisible so I could race in them!”
Reply
Thank you for your email Peggy. It sounds like you clicked into them right away, that’s great. Yes, they are good for open water swimming too. Pretty much algae-proof but I’m not sure about how well they will break the ice!
Thank you for offering to spread the word in your swim community in Saskatchewan. That is really good of you to help get a new product like this going. It sounds like you are a Masters Official and competitor, is that right? We have actually sent quite a few pairs to Canada.
Peggy
“Yes, I think I clicked fairly quickly, given that I’ll never be known for excessive coordination. I try to do a total immersion freestyle, and I found that the fins helped immensely with body positioning. I’m an experimenter and I spend every swim session working on some little thing or other and trying variations, so this kind of thing appeals to me.”
“It is about balance, and I loved the way I felt more ‘compatible’ with the water, if that makes any sense. And I did try the bit about swimming just after I took them off, for that very reason. I wanted to see if I could replicate the feeling and positioning. It worked fairly well, given it was only my first try.”
“Yes, I am a Masters Official. As you well know, swimming doesn’t have nearly the profile here that it does in your country, and it’s still a fairly small group of folks across the country. I haven’t swum competitively except in triathlon, but I know many of the Masters swimmers in my area through various means, including my continual attempts to recruit them on to my dragon boat team! Anyway, I would think your market would be among Masters swimmers and triathletes, because many of them enjoy the technical parts of the sport and are rather ‘gadget prone’.”
“Do you sell many to young competitive swimmers? I’ve already mentioned them to the head coach of the team where my son used to swim, and now coaches.”
“I’ll let you know how it works out. In March I’m going to Aruba for a few weeks to snorkel, so that is the other reason I wanted them!”
Reply
Yes, we do have young competitive swimmers using shinfinTM fins from about 10 years old upwards (even some 8 year olds using them).
Triathletes and ironmen/women often need help with their swimming kick and technique and we have another expanding customer base here, worldwide. We also have a lot of disabled swimmers using the fins (amputees, Cerebral Palsy etc.) again with great success.
Our customers range in age from about 8 to 88, and cover the full spectrum of swimming abilities. From just learning to swim, as shinfinTM fins really help to teach a natural streamlined kick and overall stroke. Through to top level swimmers, who see the benefit of a fin that matches and strengthens their natural streamlined kick.
I think you will enjoy their natural feel for snorkeling too. We get lots of good feedback from snorkelers.
All the best and please keep in touch to let me know how you and your son go with your fins and the level of interest you find from your club members.
Peggy
“I continue to love the fins, and wore them snorkeling in Aruba with great success. People who were backing through the water with traditional fins did display some jealousy that I was able to walk straight in. Although I have to say, walking into the current with these is an intense workout in itself, the kind where you keep smiling and ‘see how easy this is?’ and really you’re fighting like hell for every step and congratulating yourself for keeping forward motion.”
“Still, I treasure them and will continue to take them ‘on tour’ with me wherever my swimsuit and goggles go.”
Reply
Many thanks for your kind update. I’m glad to hear that you are still loving your fins.
Thank you for helping to spread the word. I think the key is finding people who understand that their foot fins really are not giving them the correct streamlined kick. Especially those who are experiencing pain and cramps with foot flippers. People who see and want the shinfinTM benefits are they generally happy to spend a minute putting the fins on and perhaps a few goes to really feel the benefits.
When walking in shallow water, lift your knees higher than normal so the fins slide upwards and forwards through the water. Then place your foot down quickly on the bottom for the next step. The straps should be secure enough so that the fins do not slip around your leg. If there is a current, don’t worry about the fins bending in the direction of the current. They are supposed to do that to reduce the water drag on the fins. It gets easier once you are thigh deep because the water supports you better.
Conclusion
You will value the multipurpose nature of shinfinTM fins, for example for swim training, water running, snorkeling and open water swimming. You also can wear them with water shoes for open water swimming and snorkeling.
They guide you to a smooth swimming style and leave your feet free. So they help you to improve your body positioning, balance and overall compatibility with the water. They streamline your body for a stronger kick which can help with competitive swimming too.