How to choose fins

How to choose fins

How to choose the fins? This is a question that all those who approach spearfishing and begin to become familiar with this fascinating sport ask themselves. In fact, fins are an essential tool for freediving, swimming, diving, but also snorkelling.

Not surprisingly many they call them “propulsive tools” because they allow you to move in the water effectively and in total safety. Having said that, it is easy to understand how important the choice of fins is and how, faced with this test, many find themselves hesitating without knowing which model or size to buy.

Non-compliant fins could cause quite a few problems, leading the person wearing them to get tired during the activity in the water, dealing with cramps, pain in the feet and legs as well as in the back.

The history of fins, a special tool

Few know it, but diving fins were created by Benjamin Franklin. The famous scientist in fact devised a rudimentary fin using very thin pieces of wood that as a young man, together with his friends, he had used to swim in the Boston River. Later the project passed into the hands of other people who improved them, from Louis de Corlieu to Owen Churchill who in 1940 was even noticed by the US Navy. His fins, made more functional by tests and trials, were in fact supplied to frogmen to swim quickly in the water. Later the fins became one of the secret weapons of the raiders who were part of the tenth MAS Flotilla, used during missions at sea.

For each fin its use

Today fins are a tool that cannot be missing in the equipment of those who practice Spearfishing. They are divided into two categories: monofins and bi-fins. The latter are the now famous "foot fins", consisting of two fins per foot.

Another distinction we can make is that between foot fins, to be worn with neoprene or barefoot boots, e spring fins (or strap) useful for diving. In the field of foot pocket fins, other types are distinguished: fins with a long blade, a medium-short blade or very short.

La long bladed fin it is used to practice Spearfishing or apnea, while medium-short bladed fins they are useful for diving. In the end very short fins they are recommended for swimming in pools and open basins. As far as monofins are concerned, we can instead speak of small blade or large blade monofins. The small blade is used for swimming, while the large one is used for deep freediving.

How to choose fins: some advice

To choose the fins it is essential to take into consideration numerous factors. In fact, the fin must fit very well, but above all be effective. Precisely for this reason we can currently count on many materials, developed to give the fin important qualities such as lightness and resistance. The comfort is essential, but the choice must also take into consideration the use that will be made of this tool. As always, it would be preferable to ask for the help of an expert in order to buy a product with good value for money, to use during your favorite water activities.