For Doug (previously a professional lifeguard), the key body surfing benefits of shinfinTM fins are a strong punch of power, control in the wave and feet free to push off from the bottom. He gets the power he needs because shinfinTM fins are hip powered by the larger muscles in his thighs, buttocks, stomach and torso. Control to get into the wave pocket happens because the fins are on his legs, not his feet. What’s more, a wave slamming and rolling him doesn’t rip them off, unlike foot flippers.
Doug’s review from Venice Beach, USA
“I’ve been using the fins extensively. I got a strong punch of power out of the shinfinTM fins. And just like you guys said, I got an impressive increase in control while in the wave. But here is what was really cool. Because of the design of the shinfinTM fins, I was able to plant my feet firmly on the bottom/reef and push off and kick. It takes the right tide level to pull this off. But when you can do it, it’s awesome. It allows you to get into waves and places in the wave I’ve only seen dolphins utilize! It seems that the added vector control realized by the shinfinTM fins allows me to control angle of descent and climb. This equates to the ability to get into the wave pocket, which is really what it’s all about!”
“I just realized something else Marc. When I got rag-dolled on that first wave, any normal fin would have most likely been ripped off my feet (it’s happened before). My shinfinTM fins were moved around but I still had them! And that’s what’s counts.”
Doug’s review: Body surfing fins with power, wave control & feet free to push off from bottom
“I’ll be using them for sport mainly, body surfing in California and Hawaii. Got a healthy south-west swell this week. Looking forward to receiving my shinfinTM fins! After I test these, I’ll be happy to pass onto my other lifeguard mates.”
Reply
Thanks for your reply Doug. Follow the tips sent with the fins and I think you will enjoy them. Please let me know how you go.
Doug (15 months later)
“I’ve been using the fins extensively. During last heavy south swell, I didn’t have my board when I happened onto a perfect point break on the edge of LA County. But I did have my shinfinTM fins! The water was cold, the bay was cranking in 12 foot faces lined up like corduroy and waves were pitching and hollow. I dropped my bag, cinched up my goggles, strapped on my shinfinTM fins and proceeded to swim out to the edge of the bay and into the line up. None of the guys on the beach could believe I was going in without a wetsuit, and most certainly, without a board! And if you think they were surprised, you should have seen the guys’ faces in the line up when I popped up like a seal out of nowhere!”
Body surfing power, control & push off
“The current was gnarly, and I miss-judged my first wave and I got pitched, then slammed, then rolled. But waves 2 through 20 were insane. I got a strong punch of power out of the shinfinTM fins. And just like you guys said, I got an impressive increase in control while in the wave. But here is what was really cool. Because of the design of the shinfinTM fins, I was able to plant my feet firmly on the bottom/reef and push off and kick. It takes the right tide level to pull this off. But when you can do it, it’s awesome. It allows you to get into waves and places in the wave I’ve only seen dolphins utilize!”
“I’ve turned some friends and clients on to your product, so expect some more orders from the Yanks!”
shinfinTM fins don’t fall off
“I just realized something else Marc. When I got rag-dolled on that first wave, any normal fin would have most likely been ripped off my feet (it’s happened before). My shinfinTM fins were moved around but I still had them!!! And that’s what’s counts.”
Reply
Great to hear from you again. Many thanks for your kind email, it was fun to read. Glad to hear you are having such a great time with your fins. And thanks for telling your friends and clients, some lifeguard mates too. Are you a lifeguard?
Which new places in the wave were you getting into with your shinfinTM fins and having the most fun?
Would you mind if I put some extracts from your emails on the website?
Doug
“Sure, take whatever you want, you have my authorization. I was professional lifeguard (and Director) on East Coast for 10 years. I have exposed my LA County lifeguard friends to your product.”
“Regarding the part of the wave question. It seems that the added vector control realized by the shinfinTM fins allows me to control angle of descent and climb. This equates to the ability to get into the wave pocket, which is really what it’s all about!”
Reply
Thank you for your kind permission Doug. Personal recommendation is very important to help a new product like this along. So I really appreciate it and the shinfinTM word is spreading well.
Yes, it is very interesting and natural how shinfinTM fins help your vector control on the wave face, so I’m glad you like it too. To turn on the wave, angle your leg to press the fin face flat against the water surface to give a smooth streamlined hollow in the water surface. Like how dolphins and fish turn. In contrast to foot flippers, where you dig the flipper rail into the water to turn.
So yes, it is a paradigm shift: back towards our inner dolphin!
Doug
“Funny you said that, as the local community calls me ‘Dolphin Boy’. I paddle almost every day and most times I am accompanied by a pod of dolphins.”
“Very pleased to be a part of the shinfinTM team effort. I have a client who is in really bad shape physically. Her doctor made her start swimming. But she did not have enough power or form to make it through her swim workouts. I introduced her to shinfinTM fins and I believe she has already ordered. You and your team, your product, just made a 58 year old woman excited about getting into the pool, excited about getting to her workout. This is what it is all about.”
Reply
Being in the water regularly with dolphins must be really energising.
Yes, we have a lot of people of all ages using them to get back into the water for fitness and rehabilitation, as well as people using them to learn to swim and swim better. We also have an increasing number of disabled people enjoying them (amputees, Cerebral Palsy etc.). So that is very exciting too. It really changes some of their lives. This is all because they are designed to work best with 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).
The shinfinTM kick does more than just add leg power. It balances your arm pull and supports good breathing technique. For example, in freestyle, there is often a larger kick down with the left leg when the right arm pulls (and with the right leg when the left arm pulls). A diagonal force balance across your body. I guess you will have felt this.
As you will have found, you feel the shinfinTM power in your thighs, buttocks, stomach and torso, the same muscles as for good “no-fins” swimming. A foot flipper kick is very different, with more knee-bend and power in your calf muscles and ankles. So foot flippers can’t provide the same benefits. Their biomechanics is all wrong for a proper streamlined “no-fins” kick.
Conclusion
Key body surfing and bodyboarding benefits of shinfinTM fins are strong punch of power, control in the wave and feet free to push off from the bottom (similarly to pushing off from a pool wall). You get the power you need because shinfinTM fins are hip powered by the larger muscles in your thighs, buttocks, stomach and torso. Control to get into the wave pocket happens because the fins are on your legs, not your feet. What’s more, a wave slamming and rolling you doesn’t rip them off, unlike foot flippers.
These other reviews show how shinfinTM fins also give great control for snorkeling and how this better control avoids damaging coral reefs.