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Gear: Fins

Shamus' Patented Fin Fitting Technique

• First you need to determine if you will be wearing full foot (no bootie) or open heel (bootie) fins. Full foot fins are uncommon in our area, being more common in warm waters. No booties means you will be walking on the ground with your bare feet...keep that in mind.
• For open heel fins, you first need to make sure you have properly fitting booties. (See my bootie page for how to do that.)
• When putting on an open heel fin, you want to make sure that the back edge of the foot pocket (see illustration) is about one to one and a half inches away from the back edge of your heel.

Got the right size? Great. Off to the pool!

• Swim a lap or two with several types of fins...do it on scuba if you can.
• Very long fins are excellent for freediving, but not great for scuba.
• Very short fins are great for surface swimming, but not for the power you need with diving.
• Make sure that the fins you use help you glide through the water...use slow, easy flutter kicks.
• Kick from the hip with straight legs.
• Ensure that the fins do not cause cramps in your legs or feet.
• Try several fins...what works for one person may not work for another.

Other things to consider:

• Fins that are too small will cause cramps in the arch of your foot.
• Too large fins may fall off, or rub your skin creating blisters.
• Fins that are too large may also put undue strain on your knees and/or ankles.
• Make sure your foot doesn't slide around in the foot pocket.
• The fin should feel like an extension of your leg.
• You might want to consider changing your fin straps to Spring Straps, they make donning and doffing your fins quick and easy.

Care and feeding:

• Rinse your fins off in clean, fresh water after every dive.
• Save the plastic inserts your fins came with. Use them to shape the footpockets if you are going to store your equipment for several months or more.
• Check your fin straps before every dive for signs of dryrot. Replace them at the first sign of decay.
• Carry an extra pair of straps in your save-a-dive kit. When one goes the other will not be far behind.