= shinfin™ Swim Fins =
Swimming Fins on Legs
Enjoy the Many Benefits of Leg Flippers

Swim fins for legs = freedom for feet
Swimming fins that strap to your legs

Welcome, and thank you for your interest in shinfin™ swimming fins - a true evolution from foot flippers. They enhance the enjoyment and benefits of swimming and other water sports. Please browse this website to see if they are for you. Any questions, please ask - I am here to help.

I have designed shinfin™ swim fins for a natural streamlined kick like good swimmers do for freestyle, backstroke and butterfly (not for breaststroke or “frog-kick”). You kick from your hips with only a little knee-bend (unlike foot flippers which require much more knee-bend). You will quickly feel the natural action if you already do a streamlined kick. Otherwise, they will teach you a natural streamlined kick.

shinfin™ = Benefits over foot flippers
comfortable: feet, ankles, achilles tendons, calf muscles
one size fits: heights 140-200cm (4'7"-6'6"), with or without wetsuit
feet are free: to walk, swim, dive, turn, ride boards
streamlined kick: designed to match good swimmer biomechanics
big muscle power: for better freestyle, backstroke, butterfly
light & strong: tough polyurethane, about 250g (9oz) per fin

shinfin™ = Correct swimming biomechanics
~: look at the swimmer above and photos below
~: comfortable and flexible to fit your leg
~: straps fit securely just above your ankle
~: blade extends down to your toes
~: kick down: fin curves along front of leg
~: kick up: fin curves away from leg
~: horizontal body position minimises drag
~: streamlined kick like good swimmers do
~: kick from your hips with only a little knee-bend
~: big muscle power from your thighs and torso
~: blade bends at your ankles so you can walk

shinfin™ = For many water activities
swim training: up to elite level coaching
swimming fitness: increase strength, tone muscles, reduce fat
learn to swim: for beginners and improvement classes
water aerobics: cardiovascular benefits, aerobic exercise
monofin swimming: wear with a monofin to boost speed
disabled swimmers: amputees, Cerebral Palsy, etc.
snorkeling: explore the underwater world with comfort
bodysurfing: more comfortable, natural wave riding
bodyboarding: kick & paddle out, lie or drop-knee on board
kneeboarding: kick & paddle out, kneel comfortably on board
surfing: kick & paddle out, then stand on board

shinfin™ = Avoid foot flipper problems
!: foot flippers hurt your feet
!: foot flippers don't fit
!: foot flippers trip you up
!: foot flippers are heavy
!: foot flippers stress your ankles
!: foot flippers strain your calf muscles
!: foot flippers change your kick
!: foot flippers cause too much knee-bend
!: foot flippers fall off in the water
!: foot flippers tear and rot
~: shinfin™ swim fins avoid these foot flipper problems

shinfin™ = Leg Flippers - More from the inventor/designer
I am passionate about designing leg flippers to match the natural biomechanics of good swimmers. I aim to help all levels of swimmer to improve their swimming technique and fitness, with a proper body position and a natural streamlined kick. This enhances the enjoyment and benefits of swimming and other water sports.

We all know the problems with foot flippers. These happen because foot flippers attach to your feet. I first believed there must be a better alternative around 1990. That was more than 50 fin prototypes ago - it has been a much harder design challenge than I first thought! Passion and kind help from many people keeps me going, and here is an exciting new design that I feel genuinely comfortable offering to you. My justification comes from very pleasing feedback from many customers around the world over the last three years, some of which you will see on this website.

Good swimmers and swim coaches quickly feel the natural, streamlined kick of shinfin™ leg flippers and recognise their advantages. You feel them keep your body horizontal for less drag. You feel them guide you to kick from your hips, with only a little knee-bend. You feel the power coming from the big muscles in your upper legs, buttocks, stomach and torso. These are same muscles you use for good "no-fins" swimming (without straining your feet, ankles and calf muscles like foot flippers). You also feel them give you the correct body balance to support your arm stroke. With shinfin™ leg flippers, you know your swim training is strengthening your natural kick because your kick feels right. That's why they also improve your "no-fins" swimming technique (arms too), efficiency and speed. I offer you a biomechanically advanced and evolutionary step up from all foot flippers (including short, training foot flippers).

Beginner and intermediate swimmers and swim teachers also quickly feel how shinfin™ leg flippers encourage a horizontal body position with a good streamlined kick. Their natural, rhythmical flex teaches and guides you into the correct streamlined kick. These benefits come naturally, without you needing to think about it too much. Even if you can only swim a little way at first, you will soon find your swimming technique (arms too), swim fitness, breathing, distance and speed much improved by using them. Just relax and let them guide you. I offer you an exciting new way to improve your stroke technique, fitness and your enjoyment of the water.

For other water sports (snorkeling, bodysurfing, bodyboarding, kneeboarding, surfing etc.) you still do a streamlined kick with shinfin™ leg flippers. I recommend using them for freestyle, in calm water first, to become comfortable with the streamlined kick from your hips and only a little knee-bend. Then transfer this streamlined kick to snorkeling or paddling your board. Lie horizontal on your board and kick and paddle together - like doing freestyle lying on your board. I offer you a comfortable, light-weight alternative to the many problems of foot flippers.

I have not designed them for a foot flipper kick. If you force them into a foot flipper kick, they will feel floppy and inefficient. Foot flippers require a different kick with more knee-bend, using different muscles. That's why foot flippers strain your feet, ankles, Achilles tendons and calf muscles. To help evolve from your old foot flipper kick, wear your shinfin™ leg flippers and swim arms-only freestyle or backstroke. Let them lift your legs into a horizontal streamlined position with your knees fairly straight. Then add your kick gradually and let the fins flow naturally. They will guide you into a good streamlined kick and you will feel the power from your upper legs, buttocks, stomach and torso. This usually happens almost immediately. If a streamlined kick is new to you, it may take a while to build your strength for it. The benefits of shinfin™ leg flippers will transfer to improve your "no-fins" swimming too.