How to Kick With Swim Fins

Swim fins, when used properly, allow you to conserve energy while propelling you through the water. The kick is crucial to proper fin use, and requires practice. The human body is more efficient in power delivery when kicking down with the fins. Learn to position yourself properly to gain the speed and hydrodynamics from this piece of aquatic gear.

Instructions

    • 1

      Enter the water with the fins on. Stretch your body out so you are prone, and horizontal with the water surface.

    • 2

      Keep your knees together and extend your legs out behind you. Gently kick one calf down so the fin drops below the opposite leg. Keep the fin within six inches of the top leg. The harder and farther you kick, the more energy you burn. Conserve energy and let the surface area of the fin do the work.

    • 3

      Let the lowered leg and fin slowly come back up to the prone body position while you kick the opposite leg down so the fin propels you through the water. Again, keep the down leg and fin within six to eight inches of the top leg.

    • 4

      Place both legs together and make a "monofin". Kick so both legs and fins are in synch with each other to imitate a porpoise style kick with the fins. Keep the fins and calfs within four to six inches of the prone position.