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Scuba Fin Fun
09/03/2008 - By Staff Writer Need new fins? Here's an article on the basics.
Swim fins are standard equipment for any scuba diver, free diver, or snorkeler. Their most important function is to provide thrust, allowing divers to move through the water with efficiency and ease. Diving with the wrong fins for you, however, can cause aches in your legs and feet and distract you from the underwater sights . Finding the right fin is essential to a great diving experience.
The idea of the swim fin has been around for a while. Leonardo da Vinci experimented with them, as did Benjamin Franklin. It wasn’t until World War II, though, that swim fins were mass produced. Today, many different styles of fins are designed for different use. Lightweight, flexible fins are best for snorkelers; freedivers use especially large, flexible fins; and scuba divers need particularly large, wide fins to help them combat the water resistance caused by diving equipment.
Common scuba diving fin styles include paddle fins, split fins, and force fins.
Paddle fins are the most basic of these three styles. Some paddle fins include a water vent in the middle of the blade—this is known as a “jetfin”. Contemporary paddle fins that come widely recommended include the Aeris Mako ($89.95); the Mares Avanti Supperchannel Full Foot, which at $70 is not only one of the more affordable fins on the market, but consistently receives top reviews across the board; and the comfortable and versatile Oceanic Viper ($89.95).
Split fins have a double blade which channels water, creating less drag. These are sometimes referred to as “biofins”. Some of the best split fins on the market today include the Apollo Sports Bio-Fin Pro C-Series--an attractive white fin, worth every penny of its high ($270) price tag; Atomic Acquatics Smoke on the Water –a fast and comfy fin at $249; and the relatively affordable ($119.95) but still strong-performing Oceanic Vortex V-8. For the fashion conscious scuba diver, one of the more promising newest fins on the market, the Mares Raptor, retails at $160 and comes in three sizes and four color schemes.
Force fins have a wide, upturned blade and a v-shaped cut at the end. They resemble perky fish tails. Force fins have good acceleration and efficiency, but are poor for maneuvering. They are also negatively buoyant, which can lead to a condition known as “floaty feet”. These specialized fins range in price from $199.95 to a whopping $786.35—although the color selections are admittedly delightful.
Mor-fin created a new fin called the “Delfin”, modeled after the anatomy of a dolphin’s fluke. Made completely of natural black rubber, the delfin is light and comfortable—particularly convenient for getting in and out of the water, it’s a middle-of-the-pack performer in the water. Priced at $195, this is a good choice for someone with a preference for natural materials and ease of movement pre- and post-dive.
When shopping for fins, ask your scuba gear dealer what he or she recommends. If possible, try out a few styles of fin in a pool to get a sense of how they move and respond to kicks. Different fins suit different body types and levels of ability, so be sure to research the right fins for you.