Paul’s swim training with shinfinTM fins gives him a horizontal body position and a consistent freestyle kick rhythm. So he gets more effective use of his legs, including for catching waves on shorter surfboards.
Paul’s review from Brisbane, Australia
“With the fins I’m able to maintain a horizontal position much easier and maintain a consistent rhythm with my kick. Basically I find them great.”
Paul’s review: Consistent freestyle kick rhythm fins with a horizontal body position
“My interest in shinfinTM fins came from a segment I saw recently on Channel 7 (a futures/science type show) that demonstrated the fins in the pool.”
“I intend to use them in swim training as I have never been too strong in the leg/kicking dept. But I also saw potential for them in stand up surfing. I weigh about 100 kg and find it hard to surf shorter boards. I thought I might be able to go a bit shorter if I am able to use my legs more effectively in catching waves and then not be encumbered once I stand up. What do you think – I’m gonna give it a try.”
Reply
I would suggest starting off using them for swim training, to build up your kick strength for the streamlined kicking technique. With training, you should find that your kick technique, horizontal body position and overall freestyle technique (arms too) all improve. Then have a go on your surfboard.
Paul
“I find the fins to be great in maintaining my profile in the water. I’m not strong with my kicking and tend to drag my legs in freestyle but I’ve found with the fins I’m able to maintain a horizontal position much easier and maintain a consistent rhythm with my kick. Basically I find them great.”
Reply
Many thanks for your reply Paul, that’s great. We get a lot of feedback like this. Also, have you noticed improvements in your “no-fins” swimming technique (arms too) and speed? This is because training with shinfinTM fins carries across directly to “no-fins” swimming.
Paul
“I’m doing 2km freestyle a day but I don’t do any swimming without shinfinTM fins so I can’t say whether or not there is a transfer but I do think that as you use the fins and become aware of your profile in the water you would be “trained” or conditioned to adopt that profile in no fins swimming.”
Reply
You might like to try a few laps of “no-fins” swimming after the end of your fin laps. From the feedback we have been getting, this helps to transfer the training benefits of shinfinTM fins across to “no-fins” swimming.
Conclusion
A freestyle kick with shinfinTM fins lifts your body position horizontal so you are streamlined for less drag and faster, smoother swimming. Furthermore, the fins have natural flex which trains a consistent kick rhythm.