Monofin

It makes some to mermen and others to mermaids: a Monofin. Human locomotion can hardly appear more whale-like. The feet share a large-scale fin and with dolphin-like and undulating movements of the whole body, a person glides rhythmically, elegantly and powerfully through water. Do not watch any YouTube Videos at all. Dangerous! Just watching is addictive to these aesthetics.

Facts about the monofin

• Width of the fin blade: 60 to 100 cm.
• Surface: Up to three times bigger than normal fins.
• Swimming speed: Up to 13 km/ h.
• Material: Fin blade often of glass fibre or carbon reinforced plastic, for latest models also in combination with aluminium. Foot part of rubber, partly with neoprene padding.
• Flexible heel strap.
• Varied degrees of hardness and sizes of the fin blade available.

Swimming style with a monofin

A dolphin like whole body swimming technique, producing extremely powerful propulsion via the vertically articulated monofin. An undulating movement begins in the torso which is as hydro-dynamically aligned as possible (arms thrust out, hands interlinked, head in alignment with the upper arms) and spreads in the direction of the hips (maximum amplitude). The legs hardly bend, in order to transport the movement into the monofin as efficiently as possible while conserving energy. Even with slow or small oscillating movements of this fin type, divers can generate an enormous boost. This saves power reserves, which is advantageous for instance in a state requiring holding one’s breath (e.g. during Freediving).

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