shinfin™ leg fins

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Better control fin reviews

  • Bilateral below-knee amputations swimming fins

    Doug’s shinfinTM fins enabled him to quickly return to his previous swimming level after his bilateral below-knee amputations. He finds his fins give him similar control, steering and stability as he had when he had feet. They also allow him to pull harder with his arms for powerful whole-body exercise. This is because the left fin kick balances his right arm pull and vice versa. He thinks he may eventually be a better swimmer with shinfinTM fins than he was before his amputations! He loves them so much he bought another pair so he is never without them, and to loan to friends.

    Doug’s review from Coquitlam, Canada

    “I had bilateral below–knee amputations last April, and my prosthetist told me about shinfinTM fins for swimming. I got mine in October, and they were an immediate success. I’ve been swimming regularly since, and found myself able to get back to my previous swimming level quite quickly, despite not having been able to swim for 2+ years. I now swim 2 km in under an hour, twice weekly. I have found the fins give me the same sort of stability, steering, and control that I had when I had feet. I’m now learning to use my legs for powerful kicking in a few ways. So I may eventually be better than I was before my amputations. I’m loving being back in the water.”

    “I really appreciate your passion and dedication to making the experience of using shinfinTM fins positive for so many people individually. I have, indeed, found that kicking with the shinfinTM fins opposite to my arm pulls, allows me to pull harder with my arms. They really help me make swimming even more of a whole-body exercise. I have ordered a second set of shinfinTM fins because my wife said I shouldn’t chance ever being without a pair. Also, I’m keen to let some of my friends with feet try them out (and I certainly don’t want to give mine up for that!).”

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  • Residual limb water exercise fin

    Rachel finds her shinfinTM fins great for moving better in the water, and for exercising her residual limb to build strength ready for using a prosthetic. She likes wearing one fin on her below knee amputation stump and kicking holding a float in front of her. Kicking with just her residual limb ensures that it does all the work. Furthermore, she finds this technique also builds her core strength because her core strength stops her rotating in the water. When she tried kicking without her shinfinTM fin, she found she didn’t seem to move anywhere! Later, she also started using her shinfinTM fin for front crawl, enjoying going faster. She plans to experiment wearing two shinfinTM fins in the pool, and also to swim in the sea.

    Rachel’s tibia is slightly protruding at the end of her stump. So she wears a modified diving sock to pad her stump, to stop it rubbing on the fin. Padding options include stump socks, neoprene knee supports and sleeves, wetsuits, and sleeves cut from wetsuit legs, arms and socks.

    Rachel’s review from Oxford, UK

    “I’ve been enjoying using the shinfinTM fin, which has enabled me to exercise my residual limb more and to move better in the water. So I wanted to find a way to exercise my residual limb, by increasing it’s resistance in the water, to maintain and build strength ready for using a prosthetic. Swimming with a float, leaving my healthy leg floating in the water, so my residual limb has to do all of the work. Initially, I tried doing this without a shinfinTM fin, but I didn’t seem to move anywhere!”

    “You recommend wearing shinfinTM fins on both legs. I haven’t done this yet, because I specifically wanted to work my residual limb really hard. Also, I find when swimming with just one shinfinTM fin, that I am using my core strength to stop me rotating in the water, which is also very useful exercise!”

    6 months later: “I’m getting on really well with the fin. I still only wear one and I mainly use it to exercise my residual limb, by swimming with a float and only using that leg. I’ve started doing a few lengths front crawl and I enjoy being able to go faster. I’m slowly increasing the number of lengths I do with the fin. It’s a great product and I’m really glad I found it.”

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  • Below knee amputee swimming with his kids again: pool fins

    Instead of swimming in circles, shinfinTM fins allow Paul, a below knee amputee, to enjoy playing with his kids in the pool again. He wears two shinfinTM fins, one on the stump of his below knee amputation, and the other fin in the normal position on his other leg. The fins have a very flexible size and are highly adjustable. So they can be strapped at different heights on each leg as required. Using both fins like this, is what gives Paul back his swimming control and freedom in the water.

    Paul’s review from Tainan City, Taiwan

    “I am a BK amputee and haven’t been able to swim properly since my amputation 2 years ago. Swimming in circles is really frustrating! Instant freedom! The fins were amazing, I’m really impressed. They are easy to put on and really help me swim and play with my kids in the pool. I’m already recommending the fins to my mates. Once again thanks for an excellent product.”

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  • Power, wave control & push off: body surfing fins

    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.”

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  • Walk, stand & maneuver easily: powerful body surfing fins

    shinfinTM fins give Pete powerful body surfing and also let him walk and stand in the water, and maneuver easily to catch waves. This is because they attach to his legs, so his feet are free. Furthermore, kick power comes from his hips, using the stronger muscles in his thighs, buttocks and torso. So his end result is better control on the waves, faster body surfing and less fatigue.

    Pete’s review from Harrington Park, USA

    “They’re great. Biggest benefit is you don’t have to put them on in the water. And you can walk in the ocean with them on. Plus, they give you plenty of power to get the fatter waves. And when you want to take a break from swimming, you can stand in them. Big plus, as you can’t stand in the water with regular fins on.”

    “Took my shinfinTM fins with me on my world body surfing tour this summer. They worked great, especially taking into consideration the vicious shore break there. They are very easy to maneuver around in once you are out there too. And no problem standing at all when you are only up to your waist, to take a break. You can walk in as opposed to swimming in all the time, so the fatigue factor is much less.”

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  • River float tube fishing fins: mobile & versatile

    Sean enjoys much more mobility, versatility and water safety when river float tube fishing with his shinfinTM fins. Fundamentally, they give him better control to navigate river currents and then stay where he wishes to fish. The fins also leave his feet free to walk easier and push off the river floor, rocks, trees and other obstacles. What’s more, he can wear them with river shoes for extra protection.

    shinfin™ fins used with Togiak fishing float tube
    shinfin™ fins used with Togiak fishing float tube

    Sean’s review from Casper, USA

    “Since I have been using shinfinTM fins while fishing down Wyoming’s stretches of the North Platte river in a float tube, I have enjoyed an unbelievable increase in mobility and versatility! These are qualities that are of utmost importance when floating a river. I can get where I want to be in the currents and stay there. And I don’t lose the ability to wear river shoes and use my feet when I need them most, which is, quite frankly, all the time. They therefore make it much safer as well, giving me a liberated feeling and peace of mind.”

    “shinfinTM fins are a remarkable invention. They have completely changed the game for me when it comes to fishing the river! It’s a whole new experience now!”

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  • Better snorkeling control & lap swimming fins

    Like many people, Jan Carlos uses his shinfinTM fins for multiple activities, finding them great for lap swimming and giving more control when snorkeling. As he feels, this is because they target the correct muscles to give him a powerful kick from his hips. Moreover, their extra control, together with leaving his feet free and not protruding beyond his toes, reduces unwanted damage to frail coral reefs (unlike long foot fins).

    Juan Carlos’ review from Brisbane, Australia

    “Overall, I’m very happy with my shinfinTM fins. Thanks for a great product and for the support. The initial experience could be a bit disappointing, but in no time you find the benefits. You feel the target muscles working. They are working great for my lap swimming. For snorkeling, they worked fine and you feel you are more in control when trying not to damage the frail coral reefs.”

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  • Improve balance after head injury fins

    After her head injury, shinfinTM fins dramatically improve Connie’s balance, both in the water and walking. The fins retrain her kick to lift her legs more horizontal and streamlined. She finds they give her tremendous power from her glutes, obliques, thighs and stomach muscles. Swimming in open water at local beaches, she is very thankful for how much shinfinTM fins have improved her balance after her head injury. (On another note, the fins are highly adjustable. So many of Connie’s relations from age 6 upwards have tried her fins and also love them.)

    Connie’s review from Long Beach, USA

    “I am recovering from a head injury and also injured my knee when I fell on my head. I have been trying to think of the words to express how much I love my shinfinTM fins. But no words seem to do them justice. I have been using them here in Long Beach harbor. I have also swum with them in San Diego Bay. There is a long shore current that used to torment me on the return leg of my swim. With your shinfinTM fins, I power right through it. With concentration, I let the shinfinTM fins pull me up into good horizontal kick alignment. It gives me tremendous power and I can’t believe the way the shinfinTM fins strengthen and work my glutes, obliques, thighs and stomach muscles.”

    “In addition, the lateral balance feedback they give me in the water seems to be greatly improving my balance (which I lost from the head injury) both in the water and on land. Your shinfinTM fins have added a stabilizing feedback component to my brain. I have had a dramatic improvement in my balance. Before, I needed a cane on one side and a person on the other to get to the water. Now, I can get there with just a cane. Thank you for my fins.”

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  • Great control & no foot pain: snorkeling fins

    Bill gets great control and maneuverability, without any foot pain, when he snorkels and swims with shinfinTM fins. This is because they leave his feet free and don’t bend or hurt his feet. In contrast, normal flippers aggravate his feet so they only allow him to swim for short periods.

    Bill’s review from Rockingham, Australia

    “The shinfinTM fins were perfect. Everything I had hoped they would be. Great control and maneuverability. Best of all no pain in the foot. So I was in the water till I turned blue. Many thanks for a great invention.”

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