Perfect Fin Types For Scuba Diving, Snorkelling, And Free Diving
In this blog, we compare the most common types of fins and what they are good for starting. Fins are an important part of your scuba diving and other watersports activities. It helps you to move smoothly underwater and on the water surface and improves your navigation. Choosing the perfect fins are crucial to improve your diving skills whether you are scuba diving in Andaman or any other part of the world,
1. Free diving fins
These types of fins have an extra long blade for fast propulsion through the water. They typically have a full foot pocket which allows you to use these without neoprene booties. Which helps keep the drag load through the water. These are fast efficient and great for getting down deep as fast as possible.
They are great for free diving and not good for snorkeling because when you're using these on the surface if the blade comes out of the water that's just wasted energy. They are not the best for scuba diving either because they are so long so if you go into a rack or a cave or if you have other scuba divers nearby you'll tend to hit things. They are not very manoeuvrable numbers.
2. Short blade snorkeling fins
These fins are small lightweight and portable great for travelling with or storing on the boat. These blades are very short but they are great for using on the surface and they're great for new swimmers and beginners in the water. They have the least propulsion of all the fins but they're very comfortable and very easy on the legs to use. These would be ideal for shallow circles or circles where there is very little or no current.
They can be used by putting your foot directly into the pocket or can be used with neoprene booties. This is awesome because if you have to walk across a rocky or rough surface you can wear your booties and then slip your snorkel fin on right before you get in the water. Also, these fins are so short that you can walk right in the fins almost as if they were a long shoe. These fins are great for portability great for beginners and they're surprisingly comfortable.
3. Scuba Diving fins
These fins have a medium-length blade that is usually made from a stiffer material. This allows for strong propulsion for scuba divers but still allows for manoeuvrability in tight spaces. This type of fin also allows for different types of like frog kicks and helicopter kicks which scuba divers use while cave diving and wreck diving. These types of fins usually have an open-heeled foot pocket which allows the divers to wear booties for use in cold water. Also, climbing up boarding ladders on boats and walking across rough surfaces.
This type of fin is great for scuba divers who need strong propulsion and manoeuvrability. These fins are not great for snorkelling however because when they are used on the surface. They can come out of the water and they are very heavy so lifting them up in the air is just wasted energy. They are not great for swimming on the surface. They are also not great for free diving because they are so heavy and they typically need to be worn with full foot. Which will add more drag to the water.
4. Full blade snorkeling fins
These are great all-purpose fins, they are lightweight, flexible and can be used in a variety of situations. They are great for snorkeling on the surface but they can also be used for shallow dives down below the water and can be used on several scuba dives. They work just fine and have a full foot pocket so they don't need to be used with booties. That will lighten your load in your gear requirements When you are travelling. These fins are great for beginners and recommended who are getting started with snorkelling to get comfortable with this type of fin.