For over five years, shinfinTM fins have helped Alison, a double below knee amputee, to build her confidence swimming on her front and back, in ways she never imagined. The fins are so adjustable and flexible to fit her thin, skinny lower legs without rotating or slipping. Made from strong polyurethane, the fins are tough enough to bend when she pushes off from the pool wall with her leg stumps. She uses the fins to help strengthen her muscles in the lower half of her body. With the fins, she can even swim legs only, without using her arms. She used them to build her confidence to do a one mile open water swim.
Alison says that shinfin™ fins have not only helped her to gain the confidence to swim on her own, but they have also helped her life in so many other ways. They have improved her physical appearance and overall confidence. They have helped her to strengthen muscles all over her body, including her knees. So her walking is straighter and she can even run up stairs!
Alison’s review from High Wycome, UK
“Thank you for all your help and thank you for getting me back into something I love. The shinfinTM fins are the best purchase I have ever made. It’s the first time I have ever been able to swim without using my arms. They have helped to build my confidence in ways I never imagined. I have used them both for on my front and back. I’m finding it perfect with what they’re designed for. There are not enough words to explain how thankful I am and I can’t wait to get more people ordering them. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
And 5 years later:
“I just wanted to say, your shinfinTM fins have really helped change my life! I’m currently training for a mile swim in London and your shinfinTM fins with be there with me! If I didn’t have them, I don’t think I’d have the confidence to do an open water swim. Thank you once again! So due to shinfinTM fins, I now have the confidence to swim on my own. I also have more confidence in day to day life. I can run up the stairs! My knees are stronger. They used to knock together but now I walk straighter.“
“My overall physical appearance is a lot better. They really have helped to build muscle all over my body. I don’t get as sick and run down like I used too. Also, I’m a lot more confident talking to people. People always ask about the shinfinTM fins at the pool and rather than shying away I talk to them! shinfinTM fins have helped change my whole life. I feel like the confident young lady that I was always meant to be. Thank you. Best wishes.”
Alison’s review: Double below knee amputee fins for swimming on front & back
“I am very interested in getting the shinfinTM fins. I have been looking for something like this for a long time and yours appear to be the best. So I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions?”
“I am a double below knee amputee and the lower part of my legs are extremely thin. I have very skinny lower legs, so have always found it hard to find something that will stay on. How do the shinfinTM fins keep from rotating and from slipping?”
“I love swimming and have done it on and off all my life. I have some hand flippers that I use but I am wanting to strengthen my lower half. Hence why I’m looking into your product. I usually swim using a breaststroke or front crawl and use my legs accordingly. So I am wondering if I would have to change the angle of the shinfinTM fins to do each of these or if I can change style mid length?”
“I was also going to ask if I can still use them when I push off the wall? I can weight bear on the bottom of my stumps, so I use that to my advantage.”
“One last question. At the moment I am only swimming in pools but I am considering doing open water swimming (I also enjoy scuba diving). I am therefore wondering if the shinfinTM fins will still be suitable to wear with a wetsuit?”
“I apologise for all the questions, I just want to make sure I get the right thing. Thank you so much for all your help with this matter and I look forward to hearing from you.”
Reply
The fins wrap around your lower legs and the straps grip on your lower legs. It doesn’t matter that your legs are thin. There is only one size of fin and they will fit you fine. The fins flex and the straps adjust to fit around skinny lower legs, so they should stay on you fine. I think you will really enjoy them and benefit from them.
They work best for front crawl, backstroke and fly. I didn’t really design them for breaststoke. But yes, you can change the angle of the fins to point inwards, so they can work reasonably well for a breaststroke kick.
Yes, I believe you can still use them when you push off the wall. The fins will easily take that force without breaking. They are extremely tough.
Yes, you can use them for open water swimming and scuba diving. And yes, shinfinTM fins are also suitable to wear with a wetsuit.
We have many lower limb amputees using shinfinTM fins around the world and we get great feedback. It depends on the person of course but many amputees can pretty much get back to swimming as normal with shinfinTM fins, finding them very beneficial. Good hip movement helps and shinfinTM fins help to develop this too. With below-knee amputees like yourself, the knee joint helps to control the angle of the fin a bit more. Above knee amputees still usually find the fins very beneficial too.
Alison
“After careful consideration I have decided to get a pair of shinfinTM fins and I am very much looking forward to using them. I am hoping that next time I have a hospital visit I can take them along with me to show others how good they are. Hopefully this will encourage more people to go swimming and get you more money.”
“Thank you for all your help and thank you for getting me back into something I love.”
Reply
Thank you also for offering to show them around at your hospital. That is very helpful of you and much appreciated. Please let me know how you go with them. Any questions just ask. I am here to help you get the best from your fins.
Alison
“The shinfinTM fins are the best purchase I have ever made. It’s the first time I have ever been able to swim without using my arms. They have helped to build my confidence in ways I never imagined. I always used to get stared at because of my legs but now I get stared at because I have bright blue flippers. I even had a young boy inform me that I am really cool because I’m just like a mermaid.”
“Thank you so much for everything. There are not enough words to explain how thankful I am and I can’t wait to get more people ordering them. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Reply
That is wonderful to hear Alison. Many thanks for letting me know. How do the various strokes feel? Are you swimming on your front and on your back?
Alison
“You are very welcome. I’m more than happy for you to put it on the website. I’m pleased I can help out. The shinfinTM fins deserve the praise.”
“I have used them both for on my front and back. When on my front, I try to use my arms so I can get the breathing correct. When I’m on my back I tend to be lazier. I haven’t tried using them for breaststroke kicks yet, as I’m finding it perfect with what they’re designed for.”
“I hope you sell many many more and I wish you lots of luck with the future. The hospital I visit has had a pool installed, so I’m looking forward to showing everyone exactly what they can do.”
Reply
Thank you for your kind permission Alison. Your personal recommendation is very important, so many thanks.
It sounds like you are getting on very well. I would be interested to hear how you progress over the following weeks and months, whenever you get a moment to email me. Things like how you feel your muscles and flexibility (especially perhaps at your hips) develop. And the cross-over benefits into any non-swimming activities too.
Yes, they work for swimming on your front, back or side. I designed them to match and encourage a good kicking style for freestyle, backstroke and fly. But sometimes people angle the fins outwards on their legs to suit a breaststroke style of kick too, so you might like to try that sometime and let me know if it works for you.
Alison (5 years later)
“I don’t know if you remember me. I got some shinfinTM fins from you about 5 years ago. I’m Alison, the double below knee amputee from your reviews.”
“I just wanted to say, your shinfinTM fins have really helped change my life!”
“I’m currently training for a mile swim in London and your shinfinTM fins with be there with me! If I didn’t have them, I don’t think I’d have the confidence to do an open water swim. Thank you once again!”
“I’m raising money for the school that I work at and have raised over £300. So from myself and the school, thank you.”
Reply
Wonderful to hear back from you after five years using your fins. I’m so happy that shinfin™ fins have really helped to change your life and have given you the confidence to do a one mile open water swim.
Can I ask please, how has swimming with shinfin™ fins helped your mobility on land, in ways other than for swimming? I’d be really interested to hear about this.
I’d also love to hear how your September swim goes if you get a moment to email me please.
Shall I update your review using extracts from your further emails?
Alison
“Yes, feel free to update the review!”
“So due to shinfinTM fins, I now have the confidence to swim on my own. I also have more confidence in day to day life. I can run up the stairs! My knees are stronger. They used to knock together but now I walk straighter. My overall physical appearance is a lot better. They really have helped to build muscle all over my body. I don’t get as sick and run down like I used too.”
“Also, I’m a lot more confident talking to people. People always ask about the shinfinTM fins at the pool and rather than shying away I talk to them!”
“shinfinTM fins have helped change my whole life. I feel like the confident young lady that I was always meant to be. Thank you. Best wishes.”
Reply
Many thanks for your kind permission and for your additional feedback.
I am so pleased that your shinfin™ fins have not only helped you gain the confidence to swim on your own but have helped your life in so many other ways too, improving your physical appearance and overall confidence. It is very interesting to hear how your fins have helped you to strengthen muscles all over your body, includng your knees, to straighten your walking and allow you to run up stairs. Well done indeed!
Would you be happy to send some photos showing the fins fitted on your legs for the website, to complement your story? If so, that would be wonderful. If not, no problem.
Thank you again for sharing your inspiring story. I know it will inspire others too. All the best for your one mile open water swim in London. Please let me know how you go.
Conclusion
shinfinTM fins can help double and single below knee amputees (and above knee amputees) to build swimming confidence in ways you may never have imagined, on your front and back. The fins are so adjustable and flexible that they can even fit skinny, thin lower legs without slipping or rotating, and they fit large legs too. Made from tough polyurethane, the fins are also strong enough to bend when you push off with your leg stumps from the pool wall. The fins will help you to strengthen the muscles in the lower half of your body. You can even swim without using your arms, legs only.
These other reviews show the fins being used by another bilateral below knee amputee lap swimming, a single below knee amputee lap swimming, a below knee trastibial amputee and a swimmer with clubbed feet. Related reviews demonstrate their use for learning better crawl, for freestyle, butterfly and backstroke workouts, achieving a powerful kicking style and all without hurting your calves.