John, a recent foot amputee, has re-invented himself using shinfinTM fins, first for swim fitness, then for stand up surfing. He finds them super light, strong and comfortable without chaffing, unlike conventional fins. Because of their natural design, shinfinTM fins enable him to iteract with the water with a peaceful experience. Overall, John says they are the tool that allowed him to rebuild himself after his foot amputation.
John’s review from New Britain, USA
“I lost my right foot last year. Brilliant concept and design. These fins are bullet proof! Super light. They stay in place and are a pleasure to wear, with no bothersome chaffing as with conventional fins. I now can interact in the water like I’m part of the whole peaceful experience. So pleased, thankful and blessed. shinfinTM fins have been an incomparable tool for self improvement, to rebuild oneself in so many ways. I’m now swimming and surfing and enjoying my retirement immensely. shinfinTM fins opened the door. If it weren’t for shinfinTM fins, I wouldn’t have pushed myself! And would not realize how fine it all can be!”
John’s review: Swimming & surfing fins help re-invent foot amputee
“I need to re-invent myself. I lost my right foot last year. Sepsis moved in so quickly as I am diabetic. But I’ve been blessed with a great surgical team. As a result I healed up nicely. I need to get back into the water surfing again. I’m working in the pool at my gym to strengthen up but progress is too slow. I was very distressed until I saw your fins and was thankful I did. I also think I’ll need the longer straps as I’ll need to wear booties at all times and I can always trim them. So that’s my deal! Surfing and bodyboarding. Thanks for making my day.”
Reply
I think you will really enjoy them and benefit from them for your strengthening up in the pool. They work well with foot amputations because they are designed to work best with, and gently guide you into, a good streamlined kick like swimmers use for freestyle, backstroke or fly (not breaststroke). We get a lot of great feedback from swimmers saying that swimming with shinfinTM fins, especially full stroke swimming, improves their horizontal body position, breathing, speed and overall swimming technique (arms too). Please also see the body surfing and bodyboarding pages. Any questions just ask. I am here to help.
John
“Brilliant concept and design. These fins are bullet proof! Super light. They stay in place and are a pleasure to wear, with no bothersome chaffing as with conventional fins. I find that I can achieve a high output with minimal input, truer to a pure aenerobic activity than I initially thought. All strokes except breaststroke were easily achievable with minimal effort. I managed a wimpish dog paddle but noticed lower back stiffness. Nice job! Worth every penny!”
Reply
That’s good to hear you like them so much.
John
“That’s perfectly fine to use any information I’ve provided to benefit the promotion of this very fine product. After my foot amputation, I was very saddened that the possibility of not ever returning to the ocean was very real. Thanks to you, I can train again and should be board surfing and swimming again!”
Reply
That is very good of you John, many thanks.
John
“Anytime, glad to help. Yeah I’ll be working with them at my local gym pool. I’ve been recommending them to friends. Almost everyone in the pool sees them and asks. So I tell them to look you guys up online.”
John (a few weeks later)
“I’m doing very well with my fins. Got putting them on to a science in the water. Tremendous workout, effortless. Again, ingenious idea. Thanks.”
Reply
Great to hear you find the workout tremendous. Do you prefer to put them on in the water? I would have thought putting them on sitting at the water’s edge might be a bit easier and faster.
John
“Yes I put them in the water rather than sit at the edge. I prefer that they are snug so they don’t loosen. They are secure. It’s easier for me that’s all. Fingers are stiff. I’m wondering how they’ll be in the ocean. I’ll bet they’ll be great.”
John (2 months later)
“Just a note to inform you of my exceptional progress thanks to your innovation. I swam today for the first time without them. I was amazed at how well I did and imagine I will be using them in the surf for added propulsion.”
Reply
Yes, it is interesting how the streamlined swimming style that they guide you into, then carries across to your swimming even after you take them off (even without your right foot). So I get a lot of feedback like that. I look forward to hearing how you go with them in the surf (when it gets a bit warmer for you I guess!).
John
“Feel free to use any reviews or excerpts that might be helpful to convey product information as well as to promote customer base for this amazing innovation. Many thanks to you!”
Reply
Thank you for your kind permission John. Personal recommendation is very important to help a new product like this along, so I really appreciate it.
John (another month later)
“Just to inform you about things. We were blessed with overhead conditions with offshore winds all day at one of my go to spots in Rhode Island. Thanks to shinfinTM fins and winter training in pool sessions, I had little trouble except for dancing on rocks to get in. My cardio condition was strengthened with strong paddling but still a little trouble with standing quick enough to drop in. So late takeoffs were a little tough for me. I’ll shed the wetsuit soon and a few pounds, remove my surf board fin and lie prone and stand up repeatedly in my backyard till I’m comfortable with the whole new set of dynamics for standing with my right foot amputated! Thanks to your innovative product for helping me and realizing that I’m not a handicapped surfer but handicapable.”
Reply
Sounds like you’ve been making great progress and I’m so happy to hear how your shinfinTM fins have helped you with surfing. Very encouraging news. All the best with your ongoing progress surfing with shinfinTM fins. I’d love to hear how you get on as the months progress. Any questions just ask. I’m here to help.
John (another month later)
“Just a note on how things are going. With ongoing physiotherapy on my neck, back and knee, I am pleased to say that not only have my range of motion, flexibility, strength and self confidence improved, but I now can interact in the water like I’m part of the whole peaceful experience. So pleased, thankful and blessed. shinfinTM fins have been an incomparable tool for self improvement, to rebuild oneself in so many ways. I’m looking forward to our usual big surf in the later season.”
Reply
Wonderful progress John and I’m very happy to hear how shinfinTM fins have contributed. Looking forward to hearing how you go in the big surf.
John
“You have my authorization to post any and all excerpts on how this amazing product tool has reshaped me. Thanks again.”
Reply
Thank you for your kind words and authorization John, much appreciated. Recommendations help to spread the shinfinTM word so more people can benefit from them.
John (another month later)
“I’m now swimming and surfing and enjoying my retirement immensely. I’ve concentrated all efforts to strengthen my upper body and core strength. Physiotherapy works and cortisone cocktails. I’m on a special weight loss diet and feeling good at 63. Cycling helps in conjunction with everything else. shinfinTM fins opened the door.”
Reply
Glad to hear that you are enjoying your fins in the surf too.
John (a few weeks later)
“Enjoying the swimming and surfing. If it weren’t for shinfinTM fins, I wouldn’t have pushed myself! And would not realize how fine it all can be! Cheers mate!”
Reply
Happy to hear you are enjoying your swimming and surfing. All the best.
Conclusion
For foot amputees and other amputees, shinfinTM fins can help you re-invent yourself through swim fitness, to stand up surfing and many other water sports. Their natural design allows you to have a peaceful experience iteracting with the water. Unlike conventional fins, they are comfortable without chaffing and light and strong too. So they may be the tool that helps you rebuild yourself after foot amputations, below knee amputations and above knee amputations.
Other reviews illustrate shinfinTM fins for shortboard surfing and easy walking, standing and maneuvering for bodysurfing, plus great swim training workouts for freestyle, backstroke and butterfly and for all ages too. Further reviews show them being used by a below knee amputee with a knee replacement and for rehabilitation with less back, knee and ankle pain.