Last week my luck finally ran out and I lost my Zoomers Fins that I have had for the past seven years.
As my ST user names infers, I am NOT a good, swimmer. Been doing it since 1998 and have faked my way through ten IMs and fifty 1/2 IMs. Swimming 100 M in two minutes IS an accomplishment.
But enough of my backdoor bragging and whining. Let’s talk fins. My budget is about 20-35 $ US. What fins would you suggest for a)comfort b) helping me with ankle flexion and whateverthehellelse they are supposed to do? Thanks for your help, pity, and scorn.
Since you mention Zoomers, you would be looking for a short fin, or no?
I never got happy with Zoomers, as my kick still sucks despite me trying for years…
I went with a longer fin (TYR Crossblade, Swimoutlet ), and I am actually faster (go figure!), and actually have FUN using these (hated my Zoomers).
Apparently they are a distance fin.
Lot’s of fast swimmers on my Masters team use the Arena Powerfins or a similar design, but that may push your price range.
I LOVE the Aqua Sphere foam fins. Absolutely my favorite swim training tool (well, to be fair - my only training tool). Aside from being great/fast/fun fins, they’re very buoyant and help with body position. I often use them just so I can ride high in the water and focus on other aspects of my technique. They also don’t hurt my feet, which is a plus.
For what it’s worth, I’m a good swimmer but a lousy kicker. I feel these have helped my kick technique somewhat (don’t expect miracles, though).
Maybe they didn’t get lost. Maybe someone who loves you and cares about your swimming development snatched them away. Swimming without toys is a really good thing. Why not give it a chance?
Run Mom wrote: “Maybe someone who loves you and cares about your swimming development snatched them away. Swimming without toys is a really good thing.”
Funny you should mention that. The lifeguard that broke the news to me that the fins that I left on deck, for the 20th time, were gone forever, was actually the daughter of a tri-friend, who swims pretty much as “good” as I do. Maybe she loves me???
But, alas you are wrong.
In 2002-2008, I swam 3 X per week - twice w’ master’s, once alone, and managed to swim 36-38 minutes for a half IM. (no toys).
2008-2016, I swam 3 X per week, twice with masters, once alone, and managed to swim, 36-38 minutes for A HALF IM. (using Zoomers)
2017, I signed up for Ultraman (in August) which involves a pretty long swim. I swam 3 X per week, once with masters, twice alone, and managed to swim 36-38 minutes for a half IM. (using Core Shorts, pull buoy, paddles, Zoomers).
Swimming development is for children, genetically gifted adults, and snake oil salesmen. I swim masters mainly for the social aspect.
I like the TYR Burners. They’re a short fin like a Zoomer, but with a little softer rubber for better comfort and little more flexion. And you can get them for under $25.
these are long fins I got after attending a swim smooth clinic. they work well for a lot of the drills the swim smooth recommends. but may not be for you if you’re strictly looking for short zoomer type fins.
Go watch any D1 swim team, how many have arena vs anything else despite sponsorships.
THey’re amazing. They don’t let you just trail them along, and when you kick hard they have the snap speed of bare feet, but the power of bigger fins. Simply, they’re closer to bare foot kicking than anything else I’ve tried.
Also, I have wide feet and they fit better and don’t slip off. I was surprised how good they are.
