Whilst I can give you some general help with choosing your fins, at the end of the day the design is very much down to your needs and they type of diving you actually do. One golden rule is that you should go for open backed fins, the type that go with dive boots, and you should choose fins with a release mechanism you can work without help - there's nothing more embarrassing than floundering around in shallow water, trying to unclip a recalcitrant fin!
Let's have a look at the different basic types that are available:
Conventional Fin (Solid Fin)
The conventional fin is the standard item you see everywhere - usually the foot part is made of neoprene or silicon, with a strap around the back of the foot, and the blade is made of a stiffer composite plastic. Basically, the longer and stiffer the blade, the more power will be delivered from each thrust. So you should go for a longer, stiffer fin if you have powerful legs, need to swim in strong currents or for long distances. But there is a downside, that each stroke will require more effort, and therefore you can suffer muscle fatigue or cramp. Most divers go for a medium sized, fairly flexible blade.
Split Fin
These are all the rage at the moment and offer a good solution to the effort versus thrust problem. With their "aquadynamic" design they can made more flexible than solid fins and therefore offer more power for a given size. They also have the benefit being a little easier to walk around in on land!
Sizes
Most manufacturers simply offer fins in small, medium, large and extra large sizes, so there isn't a great deal of choice in terms of size. But the fin should sit reasonably firmly around the boot and you need to be able to securely tighten the straps, so that there is no falling movement.
The best way to check what type of fin suits you and fits you best is to try a variety on actual dives. So while you're training, as your five school if you can try a different design or two!
You can see a huge choice of all types of fin for sale online over at Simply Scuba
Top Gear comes to Fins
Aqua Lung have been watching far too much Jeremy Clarkson as they have just launched there newest most advanced fin platform on the planet, (there words) Called the Slingshot they come with Adjustable Power Bands along with a Three Speed Gear Shift.
What next a rev counter.
The mind boggles.
Sounds bizarre - tell me
Sounds bizarre - tell me more!
Scuba Mike
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