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What Are Swim Fins?

Swimfins are commonly for recreational purposes and used by children in the ocean or pool as toys. They are usually made of rubber or plastic while retaining a fin shape. The wearer slides his foot into the fin, like you would a shoe, and then tightens a strap on the back of the ankle to hold it in place.

History
- Though Owen Churchill is given the credit for the creation of the modern swimfin, it is thought that Benjamin Franklin created the first plans for fins, as his desire was fueled by his ambition to become a great swimmer. The first fins that were released to the public were available in 1940 and they sold for less than $5, which was quite expensive for the time.
Function
- Swimfins are used to propel humans through the water at an increased speed. Human feet are much smaller in comparison to the swimfin, so the swimfin helps to push water out of the way more quickly than a foot would. The swimfin is useful for a variety of water activities, such as bodysurfing and diving. Divers especially are fond of the swimfin because they generally have to travel through the water with heavy equipment such as oxygen tanks.
Types
- Paddle fins are the most common type of fin. They are basically a second foot for the swimmer.Some of these contain vents that push water through, while others have ridges to manipulate the water. The freediving fins are popular with divers and are related to the paddle fin with the exception of size. Freediving fins are large and are most useful when the diver uses slower kicks. Freediving fins offer a lot of power with less effort, which makes them ideal for long diving expeditions.
Training
- There is little training required when it comes to using fins for recreational purposes. After a few minutes practice, the swimmer should have no problem understanding the function of the fins. When coupling swimfins with other activities however, such as bodysurfing, it's best to consult a professional to optimize your experience.

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