Any recommendations for swim fins for the open water?

Triathlon Forum
1

Any recommendations for swim fins for the open water? I’m not a great (strong) open water swimmer yet and I would like the aid of some fins and maybe it will help me with my kick as well.

Thanks for you input and help.

2

Stay away from pointy dorsal fins when swimming in open water. Thats the best advice I can give.

3

OK, thanks Matt.

4

Now THAT is sound advice!

I might just add that there is anecdotal evidence suggesting that wetsuits and fins make us look even more like possible prey…

For this reason I would go with some short fins (if I really was forced into using them).

5

two skills to practice in open water are sighting buoys and swimming a straight line but you can practice those without fins. If you feel you need fins to swim in open water, use whatever you use in the pool. If you don’t have any, zoomers are good but small. tyr and speedo make bigger ones more like scuba fins.

6

Thanks Nick…sounds good.

7

i like the long ones, because they’re fun and aid in ankle flexibility…and strengthen calves quite nicely.

just put them on and let them drag behind you–don’t really kick at all. don’t “kick hard” unless you want to do an uptempo or hard set. this can let you focus on your arms, roll, and zooming on top and through the water.

my suggestion is to not do your entire workout with them, as they can become a crutch. if you want to dedicate a block of time (say 10 minutes or 15 minutes) to fins, then go for it. you don’t want them to spoil you. with that said, they provide variety, fun, ankle flexibility, mimic wetsuits (when you drag the fins behind you, no kick), and can allow you to really feel the water and what’s it’s like to go fast. exaggerate your roll, high elbow, reach, etc, and it will translate to your overall swim technique.

8

Positive drive fins. Love em. You can get them @ just about any on-line swim shop. I use them for drills in the pool and long open water swims.

9

i recommend the zoomers, as they give a little bit of a boost, but you don’t want to be overly dependent on them. or an easier way would be to get some regular fins and chop off part of the length.

say…that may not be a bad idea. you could start them off long, and cut them short gradually as you become more comfortable in the open water.

and to be honest, you shouldn’t need a strong kick to swim in open water if you have good technique and body position. you can use the fins so you don’t have to think about kicking and spend more time developing technique. imo, a powerful kick really isn’t necessary.

10

Check the selection:
http://www.ebodyboarding.com/s.nl/c.299901/sc.12/.f
.

11

Zura. They’re awesome…kj

12

Hey TriBodyBoarder,

I’m familiar with the Churchill Makapuu fins for whomping but do you think those are good for swims?

13

For long distance swimming in the ocean, I’d go with something like the Duck Feet or even the Tech Fins. Nice even thrust, symmetric fins, and the Duck Feet have the long blades if you want to get plenty of distance with each kick.

14

For long distance swimming in the ocean, I’d go with something like the Duck Feet

I heartily second the Duck Feet recommendation. Except I have no idea where you’d get a pair. I’ve been without ever since loaning my to a friend, who prompty lost one in the surf.

15

Check out TriBodyBoarder’s site @

http://www.ebodyboarding.com/s.nl/c.299901/sc.12/.f

Scroll down the page and they are right there on the right hand side. They have the Churchills as well.

16

Thanks!