Fin Like A Pro: A Guide to Buying Freediving Fins
March 12, 2024
Are you a freediver thinking of buying your very own set of fins? There are a few styles on the market, and it can be confusing to know which ones will suit you best. So, we are here to help you choose the perfect freediving fins to suit your needs and abilities… and we will even give you some tips on how best to use them!
Let us get kicking…
What is the difference between freediving fins and other types of fins?
Freediving fins tend to be longer than the type of fins that are used for scuba diving and snorkeling. This is to give more ease of movement and more propulsion with less effort. There are a few different types of freediving fins, depending on what you want to use them for.
An important part of freediving is providing safety for other divers. Find out more by reading: How to Be the Best Freediving Buddy You Can Be.
What do you need to consider when buying freediving fins?
How you move in the water can be impacted greatly by the fins you use. There are two main things to consider when choosing freediving fins:
1.Material.
The three materials that are generally used to make freediving fins are plastic, fiberglass, and carbon. Here is a little overview of each:
Plastic fins:
- Extremely sturdy and hard to break.
- A stiff material which will make finning feel harder.
The Razor Pro fins from Mares are a great option for inexpensive but well-made plastic fins.
Fiberglass fins:
- Durable and sturdy, but with more flexibility than plastic fins.
- Great for more advanced freedivers who are working on their finning.
- A lighter material which can make finning feel easier.
If you are looking for some excellent fiberglass fins, the X-Wing Apnea fins are top-of-the-range.
Carbon fins:
- Carbon fins are delicate and easier to break than plastic or fiberglass fins.
- Generally considered the best option for efficiency in freediving.
- Make finning feel more effortless than other types of fins.
The X-Wing C-Evo fins are some of the highest-quality carbon fins on the market.
Once you have your fins, you might want to work on your freediving duck dive. Check out: Freediving: How to Duck Dive Like a Pro.
2. Stiffness.
The stiffness of a fin matters for efficiency in freediving. This is because stiffer fins require more effort to kick than lighter, more flexible fins. But there is more to consider than just the type of material.
Carbon fins come with different stiffness options to choose from when you buy. The more the fin bends, the easier the kick will feel, but the less propulsion you will get. Therefore, a stiffer blade will require more energy, but it will push you a little further.
When buying freediving fins, consider the strength you have in your legs and choose an appropriate level of stiffness. If you have very strong legs, you can go for a stiffer blade, but if you do not have much strength in your legs, stiff fins will make you feel tired much faster.
If possible, try out a few different fins with varying stiffnesses to make the right decision for you.
How best to use freediving fins.
There are a few things to think about to perfect your finning technique. A combination of the following is key to finning like a pro:
1. Upper body position.
Try to keep your upper body still as you kick to save your energy, stay relaxed, and avoid disorientation; this means not moving your shoulders side to side or bending your spine.
It is also important not to tilt your neck back to look above you as you descend or ascend; keep your head facing forward. If you do need to look up, try to tip your body from your hips instead of your neck. Looking up and stretching the neck while freediving can result in a throat squeeze.
Another thing to think about is where to put your arms. It is easiest to keep them down by your sides and close to your body. As you progress, you might choose to lift your arms straight above your head to make you more streamlined. If you do this, ensure your body is in a straight line and your arms are not bent at the elbows.
2. Straight legs.
How much you bend your knees while kicking with freediving fins is down to personal preference, but it is important to avoid the ‘bicycle kicking’ style of kicking, which is where you bend at the knees so much that you are ‘pedaling’ your legs.
This is not streamlined and will not give you much propulsion through the water at all, and it will make you feel tired quickly. Try to focus on kicking the legs more from the hips than the knees and keep your legs quite straight when finning.
3. Pointed toes.
Pointed toes are essential for freediving in bi-fins. If your feet are forward (like when you are standing), your fins will not move back and forth in the water in an efficient way. Keep your toes pointed as much as possible to encourage your legs to stay straighter and get the most propulsion out of your fins.
4. Not too wide.
Contrary to popular belief amongst beginners, the best bi-finning technique does not require wide kicks. Smaller kicks will keep you more streamlined and require less effort. You will find that you are kicking more, but it will feel much easier than trying to move your legs through a wider space of water.
Now you have all the information you need to buy your first pair of freediving fins, and how to use them in the best way.
Connecting with other freedivers is one of the best aspects of freediving. So come and join our Facebook community Underwater Explorers Worldwide.
You will find a supportive network of divers waiting to welcome you!