Swimfin

Swimfin
Full foot fins
Other namesFins, flippers
UsesDiver and swimmer propulsion

Swimfins, swim fins, diving fins, or flippers are finlike accessories worn on the feet, legs or hands[1] and made from rubber, plastic, carbon fiber or combinations of these materials, to aid movement through the water in water sports activities such as swimming, bodyboarding, bodysurfing, float-tube fishing, kneeboarding, riverboarding, scuba diving, snorkeling, spearfishing, underwater hockey, underwater rugby and various other types of underwater diving.

Swimfins help the wearer to move through water more efficiently, as human feet are too small and inappropriately shaped to provide much thrust, especially when the wearer is carrying equipment that increases hydrodynamic drag.[2][3][4] Very long fins and monofins used by freedivers as a means of underwater propulsion do not require high-frequency leg movement. This improves efficiency and helps to minimize oxygen consumption. Short, stiff-bladed fins are effective for short bursts of acceleration and maneuvering, and are useful for bodysurfing.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference AlainPerrier was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Pendergast, DR; Mollendorf, J; Logue, C; Samimy, S (2003). "Evaluation of fins used in underwater swimming". Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine. 30 (1). Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society: 57–73. PMID 12841609. Archived from the original on July 9, 2009. Retrieved 11 February 2010.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. ^ Pendergast D, Mollendorf J, Zamparo P, Termin A, Bushnell D, Paschke D (2005). "The influence of drag on human locomotion in water". Undersea Hyperb Med. 32 (1): 45–57. PMID 15796314. Archived from the original on July 9, 2009. Retrieved 2008-08-25.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. ^ Pendergast DR, Tedesco M, Nawrocki DM, Fisher NM (May 1996). "Energetics of underwater swimming with SCUBA". Med Sci Sports Exerc. 28 (5): 573–80. doi:10.1097/00005768-199605000-00006. PMID 9148086.