Pros and Cons of Using Fins in Open Water Swimming

Maybe you're swimming with a pod that has faster swimmers than you, or you're looking for a way to reduce strain on your shoulders - fins can be a great tool to change up your open water workouts. Using fins also has some drawbacks. If you plan on bringing a pair of fins with you, having an OG Quackpacker to store them in might be helpful.

Here's a breakdown of the pros and cons:

Pros of Using Fins in Open Water Swimming

1. Increased Speed

Fins provide added propulsion, allowing swimmers to move faster through the water. This is especially useful in situations where you're dealing with rough currents or need to cover long distances quickly.

2. Strengthening Legs

Using fins engages larger leg muscles, helping to build strength and improve kicking efficiency. The resistance from the water against the larger surface area of the fin requires more forceful kicks, thus developing leg muscles over time.

3. Improved Buoyancy

Fins help to elevate your legs in the water, promoting better body positioning. This can reduce drag and make swimming more streamlined, especially for swimmers who struggle with keeping their legs afloat. Better buoyancy can also ease strain on the upper body, allowing for a more efficient and comfortable swim.

4. Enhanced Technique

Fins can aid swimmers in practicing proper body alignment and kicking technique. When used properly, they encourage swimmers to focus on long, smooth strokes and steady leg kicks. Fins can also help swimmers avoid over-rotating from their shoulders and teach rotation from the hips.

5. Confidence for Beginners

For new open water swimmers, fins can provide a boost in confidence. The extra speed and support they offer may help reduce anxiety, especially when faced with choppy or cold water. Fins can make the transition from pool swimming to open water more manageable and enjoyable.

Cons of Using Fins in Open Water Swimming

1. Reduced Endurance in Finless Swimming

While fins can help you swim longer distances during training, relying on them too much can hinder your endurance when swimming without them. Swimmers may become accustomed to the assistance fins provide, and without them, may find it challenging to maintain speed and distance. This can be a disadvantage during finless open water competitions.

2. Overuse of Leg Muscles

Although fins help strengthen the legs, overusing them can lead to muscle imbalances. Relying too much on fins can result in excessive fatigue or even injury, particularly to the ankles, calves, and lower back. Swimmers may also develop a weaker upper body if they don't balance the use of fins with proper arm strokes.

3. Incompatibility in Some Events

Many open water swimming events and competitions don't allow the use of fins. Competitive swimmers who train extensively with fins may find it difficult to adjust to races where they cannot use them. This can affect performance if a swimmer hasn’t balanced their training between fin and finless swimming.

4. Difficulty in Shallow Water

Fins can make swimming in shallow waters challenging. If the swim involves transitioning from deep to shallow waters, such as near the shore during a race, fins might get caught on the bottom, slowing you down or causing awkward movements. Navigating tight spaces or rocky terrain can also be difficult with fins. If you're swimming in shallow areas with coral, the fins can even damage the natural underwater structures.

5. Potential for Cramping

Extended use of fins can increase the risk of foot and calf cramps. The extra pressure placed on these muscles can cause discomfort, especially if swimmers aren’t used to wearing fins for long periods. This is particularly a concern during cold-water swims, where muscles are already more prone to cramping. Having cramps during an open water swim, then having to tread water to stretch out, can cause stress and anxiety.

Should you use fins for open water swimming?

The use of fins in open water swimming comes with significant advantages, particularly for speed, leg strength, and technique development. However, swimmers need to be cautious about relying on them too much. A balanced approach that integrates both finless and fin-assisted training will likely yield the best results for open water swimming performance. Including fin distances or sets in both pool and open water training, consisting in up to 30-40% of your weekly mileage, is the middle ground that will help you increase speed, improve technique, and prevent becoming too reliant on them.