Corin loves her shinfinTM fins for snorkeling, open water swimming and surf swimming. Unlike regular flippers, she can walk into the surf and they don’t hurt, rub or strain her feet and muscles. Before trying them, she thought the fins might drag on the upward kicks. However, the fins actually minimise drag, as they are designed to flex away from her legs on the upward kicks. Furthermore, they give her extra power from her hips on the upward kicks, in addition to hip powered downward kicks.
Corin’s review from Sydney, Australia
“I got back from my trip on Friday and just wanted to let you know I LOVE my shinfinTM fins! I used them everywhere! Sadly I was unable to scuba while away but I did do a lot of snorkeling! And I received many questions and comments on them from fellow travellers and guides alike! So I’ve referred them all to your website.”
Corin’s review: Fins for snorkeling, surf & open water swimming
“I’m going on a 35 night South Pacific cruise in a month’s time. Since hearing about your shinfinTM fins I have been very interested in them and in getting a pair to take with me for snorkeling, scuba diving etc., as they recommend you bring your own equipment.”
“However, even after watching the videos and reading through the site, I’m having a little bit of difficulty understanding how the upward drag with the shinfinTM fins will affect me in open waters or the surf. I’m a very strong swimmer and I’ve rarely had troubles with regular flippers but as you clearly know they are awkward walking into surf, and if you’re not used to them they can hurt, rub or strain feet and muscles. If you would be so kind, please explain what the upward drag would be like in open water and surf. Thank you kindly.”
Reply
I assume by drag you mean wasted energy. If so, there is no drag on the shinfinTM upward kick, either in open water or in surf. In fact, the fins must flex away from your leg a bit on the upward kick to get into the correct position to get power from the upward kick. So the fins are designed to flex away from your leg on the upward kick. They don’t slide around your leg when strapped securely. The centre of the fin flexes to wrap around your leg and the rubber straps are high friction and ribbed for extra grip on your leg.
We have many happy customers using shinfinTM fins for snorkeling. The fins work well for surface snorkeling, duck diving and swimming underwater. They have a natural feel and don’t kick up as much sand as foot flippers. You can do faster shorter kicks or slower longer kicks, whatever you prefer. They work with a natural streamlined kick like good swimmers use, with your knees fairly straight and power from your thighs, buttocks, stomach and torso. (Foot flippers use a different action with much more knee-bend and more strain in the calf muscles, ankles and feet.) If this swimmer-style streamlined kick is new to you, then it may take a few sessions to build your strength in your upper legs and torso.
To turn, twist your body at the waist to angle your legs to press the face of the fins sideways, to the outside of the bend. This gives a smooth streamlined turn through the water, like dolphins and fish turn.
Corin
“Thank you for all the info! I think they sound wonderful and I’ll be more than happy to take and test them on my trip! Thank you kindly.”
Reply
Many thanks for your kind reply Corin.
Corin
“I got back from my trip on Friday and just wanted to let you know I LOVE my shinfinTM fins! I used them everywhere! Sadly I was unable to scuba while away but I did do a lot of snorkeling! And I received many questions and comments on them from fellow travellers and guides alike! So I’ve referred them all to your website.”
“I hope you have a great day and if you like, please feel free to use the above as a testimonial.”
Reply
Many thanks for your kind email Corin, that’s wonderful to hear. I get a lot of great feedback but it still brightens my day! And thank you for spreading the shinfinTM word and for your kind permission to use your emails as a testimonial. Personal recommendation is the best thing for helping a new idea like this along, so I really appreciate it.
Conclusion
You will love shinfinTM fins for many uses, including snorkeling, surf swimming and open water swimming. Unlike regular flippers, they don’t hurt, rub or strain your feet and muscles. And you can walk into the surf. You might think the fins would drag on the upward kicks. But the fins are actually designed to flex away from your legs on the upward kicks to minimise drag. Furthermore, they give you extra power from your hips on the upward kicks, in addition to hip powered downward kicks.
Other snorkeling reviews illustrate how the fins can be worn with reef boots and avoid back strain, are lightweight and easy to walk with and are easy to pack for trips. Further open water swimming reviews show the fins being used for training and being worn with water shoes.