Tips on Choosing the Right Snorkeling Fins

The first steps into water are kind of like the first steps in life – you usually take them barefoot. But the more frequent your aquatic expeditions become, the more you will learn that there’s a need to protect your feet. Looking at it from above, the ocean looks like a vast benign surface of blue, but hiding deep below is a whole complex territory of rocks, reefs and the occasional sharp objects people so irresponsibly dispose off. Therefore, properly protecting your feet with snorkeling fins is an important safety step when you dive bellow sea level.

But there’s another important benefit of fitting your feet with proper fins, namely, they provide you with greater swimming efficiency. Sure you can swim well without them, but thanks to a quality set of fins, you can gain a lot more speed and move skilfully and safely around stony corals or shipwrecks. If you truly want to make the most of your snorkeling experience, then equipping yourself with a pair of flippers will allow you to save more energy and prolong your stay under water. Here are some things to consider when looking for the right pair of snorkeling fins.

Open or Closed Foot Pockets?

Despite what their name suggests, both of these types of fins completely enclose the foot. The only difference is in the level of insulation they provide and the way they go on the foot. Open foot models are not actually designed like sandals. On the contrary, they provide better insulation than the closed type because they are worn with thicker neoprene booties. Open foot fins offer greater thermal protection in extremely cold waters and are a safer alternative when diving around rocky terrains.

On the other hand, closed foot fins don’t offer a high grade of protection since they are only worn barefoot. Although this might seem like a disadvantage, it can actually be a benefit in warmer waters and around smooth terrains. Closed foot fins have a flat and soft bottom and are made out of lightweight materials which make it easier to swim. This type of fins are a lot less expensive and a good option for beginners.

Decide on a Blade Style

Depending on your skills, there are several styles of blades to choose from:

• Paddle Blade – This is the oldest type of blade around, and is usually the least expensive. Recreational snorkellers love them because they are simple and allow for a pretty easy kick. Depending on the material, they can be either ver y flexible or really stiff.
• Channel Blade – These are a stiff type of blades with molded side rails, but with a flexible center channel. Because of their weight, they aren’t recommended for newbies who still haven’t perfected their kicks.
• Split Blade – Split blades have a shorter kick which allows you to move with less effort. This makes them convenient for people with ankle problems or a weaker kick ability. However, they aren’t very efficient when speed is concerned.
• Long Blade – Long bladed fins are designed for speciality purposes like free diving or spearfishing and give the diver an advanced level of control.