Types of Swim Fins

Paddle fins are the most recognizable type of swim fin.

Whether you are an experienced diver or swim as a hobby, it's useful to have a basic understanding of different types of swim fins. Also known as flippers, there are four main types of swim fins. The main difference is in the shape of the blade, the flat part of the fin that extends from the toes. Some flippers are designed for speed, others for maneuverability and distance.

Paddle Fins

Simple paddle fins are often used by snorkelers.

Paddle fins are often seen at the edge of the pool or at the beach. These are the most common type of swim fin and are recognized by both the expert and the novice. Their basic design of extending the foot makes thrusting forward easier. They are appropriate for most water sports, such as snorkeling and scuba diving. They are the most versatile swim fins, but are not the most efficient for speed or energy consumption.

Split Fins

Split fins are often used by scuba divers.

Split fins have narrow slits that run down the sides of each blade that allow more water to be sucked backward instead of gathering on top of the fin, reducing drag and giving the swimmer more power and speed. The advantage is more distance with less effort, but this is offset by a loss of maneuverability. These are most often used by scuba divers to conserve their energy and therefore also their air supply.

Force Fins

Force fins are similar to split fins in that they are also designed to scoop water away from the tops of the fins and reduce drag. Since they are very efficient for kick ratio and speed, they are used by competitive swimmers. The shape of the flipper blades makes maneuvering awkward, however, since it forces the water in a fixed direction. These types of flippers are also difficult to use with any kind of buoyancy devices.

Freediving Fins

Freediving fins are the ideal choice for divers. Their design is similar to paddle fins, but they are longer and wider. Freediving fins are designed to maximize the efficiency of low energy kicks, oxygen consumption and energy use, increasing endurance and conserving energy, but not for generating speed. They are used for acceleration with increased kicks, but they are not as effective as split fins.

References

• Picky Guide: Guide to Swim Fins
• Ask the Scouba Experts: How Do the Different Types of Scuba Flippers Work?