We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
WiseGEEK

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culinary

What are Swim Fins?

Diane Goettel
By
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGEEK is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGEEK, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

Swim fins are a kind of footwear that are intended to improve one's agility and speed while swimming. There are a number of types of swim fins that are used for different purposes. Some are designed to completely cover the foot while others simply have a deep pocket for the toes and a strap that wraps about the foot. The length of the fin may vary depending on the intended use.

The key feature of swim fins is the long rubber section that protrudes forward from the toes. This fin is often quite flexible and may be formed with long ridges. When worn while swimming, the fins allow the swimmer to significantly improve speed. This is desirable for people who want to cover a large area quickly. It is also desirable for people who want to be able to ascend and descend more quickly than they would be able to without fins.

It is important to note that quickly descending or ascending great depths of water can be very dangerous and cause serious bodily harm. While swim fins might make this possible, it is important to receive thorough instruction or swim with an experienced, trained diver before attempting to reach great depths underwater. For a first-time diver, it is best to hire a scuba instructor. Shallow dives to 10 feet (3.05 m) below the water's surface or less are usually safe for strong swimmers.

It is quite common for scuba divers to wear swim fins. The fins allow the divers to reach a specific destination in the water with speed and then maneuver precisely after reaching the destination. For scuba divers, fins are just a part of an entire uniform that is worn during dives. The uniform also includes a body suit and snorkel mask and may include other garments and equipment as well. While making shallow dives in temperate water, it may not be necessary to wear an entire body suit along with fins. To best enjoy the underwater scenery, goggles or a mask should be worn.

Depending on their quality and the purposes for which they are designed, swim fins can vary greatly in price. For vacationers who simply want to use fins for a day or so of leisurely swimming, there are many shops that will rent fins, goggles, and other related equipments. Most scuba tour companies include the rental of all necessary equipment in the prices of their packages.

WiseGEEK is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Diane Goettel
By Diane Goettel
In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane Goettel serves as the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. Over the course, she has edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter “Sapling,” and The Adirondack Review. Diane holds a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.
See our Editorial Process Share Feedback

Related Articles

Discussion Comments

Diane Goettel

Diane Goettel

In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane Goettel serves as the executive editor of Black...
Read more
WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.