REVIEW: The fins for use

What you have in your head, you must also have in your legs! The most important means of movement for the combat swimmer are the legs. But all the strength and endurance is of no use if you don't get them into the water! Although small submarines and scooters are used for approach, fins remain the essential tool for the "work" directly at the "object".

Various principles apply to this "work":

1. Plan your dive and dive your plan! (Motto of the German combat swimmers & adopted by the SEALs: “Plan your dive and dive your plan!”)
2. The fin never leaves the water!
3. Maintain your speed! (For orientation underwater!)

For this purpose, OUTER LIMITS offers a diverse selection of fins. Here are the most common models:

TURTLE FINS are known for their robustness and are considered the classic or "Old school" version of fins. Still popular today, they have a short, compact fin blade made of heavy rubber. A solid all-rounder, commonly seen not only with combat swimmers but also with technical divers.

The FORCE FIN PRO is a perfect fin for long-distance swimming at high speeds. It requires a swimming style that resembles a shaking motion. The shape of the fin helps prevent calf cramps or muscle fatigue. It is less suitable for divers with heavy gear and has limited maneuverability with Frogkicks.

The APOLLO SPLIT FIN PRO is a fin developed for long-distance swimming. It also requires its own swimming style, with movement originating not just from the hips but more from the knees in a shaking motion. The fin's shape also helps prevent calf cramps. These fins are the preferred choice for classic combat swimmer tasks requiring distance. A comparison with a civilian Split Fin is hardly sustainable, as a special rubber compound is used for the military fins, making them significantly firmer and more stable.

The FORCE FIN MILITARY SD1 fins are designed for swimming style and have similar properties to the regular FORCE FIN PRO. However, they require more effort, are simultaneously weaker, longer, and stiffer. These fins are made in a modular construction.

The purpose of these fins is for short-distance approaches, for Over the Beach (OTB) operations, for parachuting into the sea, or as a rescue device for boat crews.

Special features: The fin can be worn with a shoe and secured against loss with Paracord. The foot part is adjustable and easy to adapt. Felt patches are attached to the bottom of the fin to prevent slipping on surfaces such as boat decks.

Spring Straps replace the rubber bands at the end of the fins that hold the foot in position. Since rubber becomes brittle over time, Spring Straps are offered as a durable alternative.

CONCLUSION: The best fins for the best combat swimmers. Among the diverse selection, the APOLLO SPLIT FIN PRO stands out. TURTLE FINS are classics for those who prefer to play it safe. Very specialized: the FORCE FIN MILITARY SD1.

The classic TURTLE FIN costs 129.00 Euros, the FORCE FIN PRO is available for €248.00, the APOLLO SPLIT FIN PRO for 149.00. The most expensive are the FORCE FIN MILITARY SD1 at €580.00. The SPRING STRAPS cost €58.00. These fins are available at OUTER LIMITS, inquiries via email: [email protected]