Monofin Comparison Video of Finis Foil, Wave/Tempo, Aquarius and Body Glove

[Moongazer]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAxj4itrVzY

Let me know what you guys think!

I can make more videos outlining them more in depth if that would be helpful!

[suzanne86]

I have noticed that almost all the monofin evaluation videos only show underwater head first, forward motion swimming. I use a Finis Foil, and work out with it doing surface swimming on my back (arms in the streamline position, and arms by the legs position) and side (one arm trailing on the surface above the leg, the other arm outstretched as a forward rudder). Both strokes give a good core workout. It's good to show that monofins can be used for both underwater and surface swimming, and that a complete evaluation of their use for swimming purposes should include both underwater and surface swimming. Thanks for an interesting video! :-)

[Theobromine]

Huh? Monofins really aren't meant to be used for surface swimming. You can't get the full range of motion out of one at the surface because the whole body needs to undulate like a sine wave. At the surface you only get half that range of motion, which makes swimming extremely awkward. I think the Foil is probably the only fin you could even use at the surface like you describe, because the blade is so small and narrow. And that fin is actually meant as a training fin for competitive swimmers to gain muscle and work on their technique so that they can swim better without a fin. None of that is applicable to any other type of monofin, or to mermaid swimming in general. We want to see how the fin moves underwater and know how well it propels the swimmer. Aside from the occasional side swim to get around/show off my fluke to people watching me swim, I never swim on the surface in my tail or in my practice fin. It's just incredibly awkward :-/

I thought it was a really well done comparison video, Moongazer!

[Mermaid Lorelei]

Wonderful comparison Moongazer! Thank you for taking the time to put together such a helpful resource!

[Moongazer]

Thanks Theo and Lorelei!

And suzanne86, Theo pretty much summed up what I would say about surface swimming in a monofin. It's not relevant to what I was doing with this video.

[Mermaid Aria]

This was super helpful! So even though the body glove one is designed for kids it'll fit an adult with small feet and give enough propulsion? I have an idea for a tail design with this fluke shape but I wanted to make sure before I bought it.

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[Moongazer]

Yup, it fits my adult feet! a 6-6.5 would be the top end unless you replace the strap which is also doable. My friend who has size 7 feet wore it and she said she could see it hurting a bit after a long swim. It gives me lots of propulsion and stays on way better then the aquarius.

[Mermaid Aria]

Yup, it fits my adult feet! a 6-6.5 would be the top end unless you replace the strap which is also doable. My friend who has size 7 feet wore it and she said she could see it hurting a bit after a long swim. It gives me lots of propulsion and stays on way better then the aquarius.
Awesome! I am a size 6 so it should work out!

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[Moongazer]

Good luck!

[Mermaid Jaffa]

I love my Foil! Its such a great practice fin. I can go quite fast in it too, and glide along. And because its small size, I don't have to treat it like eggshells when I'm treading water in the deep end. The fin doesn't touch the bottom at all, so it doesn't get damaged on the fin edge or scratched up like my merfin.

Btw, I was wondering why the Tempo is cut up like that?

[Moongazer]

The tempo was cut like that because it was part of a used 2010 mertailor tail. I took the tail apart and use the monofin for practice now.

[suzanne86]

Jaffa — I totally agree. The Finis Foil is great for my workouts. It is safer than the fiberglass monofins for lane sharing, and not as cumbersome as large, monster monofins. Apparently there is a mindset among some Mers that the larger the monofin and the fluke, the more sexy and virtuous the tail. Go figure.

[Theobromine]

Apparently there is a mindset among some Mers that the larger the monofin and the fluke, the more sexy and virtuous the tail. Go figure.

Uhh...not true. Plenty of mermaids use the Foil. I was simply pointing out differences in characteristics and intended uses between the different types, and the fact that what you said about surface swimming just wasn't very relevant to the video that Moongazer made (when in fact you yourself have pointed out multiple times that you use the Foil for lane workouts, which is its actual intended use). Sorry if that offends you somehow, but that's just the way it is. But thanks for using personal anecdotes to invalidate everyone who doesn't agree with you. :headwall:

[Merman Andrew]

Interesting video. Do you think that stiffer blades changes your swimming style? I feel like they don't encourage as much undulation. Do you think it's better for Mermaids just starting out to learn with stiffer or softer blades? Do you think the Aquarius falling off your feet so easily was just a sizing problem? I'm wondering if this happens to other mers as the Aquarius is quite a common starter fin. Would be interesting to see a comparison between some of the softer blades by other brands like Fin Fun, Magictail, Suntails, Merfin and Merhina (the rubber one)

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[Moongazer]

Jaffa — I totally agree. The Finis Foil is great for my workouts. It is safer than the fiberglass monofins for lane sharing, and not as cumbersome as large, monster monofins. Apparently there is a mindset among some Mers that the larger the monofin and the fluke, the more sexy and virtuous the tail. Go figure.

I... I don't even know how to touch this. Can you please stop derailing my thread with negative and useless information? Thanks.


Interesting video. Do you think that stiffer blades changes your swimming style? I feel like they don't encourage as much undulation. Do you think it's better for Mermaids just starting out to learn with stiffer or softer blades? Do you think the Aquarius falling off your feet so easily was just a sizing problem? I'm wondering if this happens to other mers as the Aquarius is quite a common starter fin. Would be interesting to see a comparison between some of the softer blades by other brands like Fin Fun, Magictail, Suntails, Merfin and Merhina (the rubber one)

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It changes your swimming style because any change in blade stiffness or size tends to do that. I actually find that it doesn't change my S shape too much as that is what I focus on when I'm practicing. I'm not very flexible so actually getting the nice back curve is so hard for me. It really depends on the mermaid for the starting out question. For me, I really like floppy blades. Like my cut tempo. But I do like being able to go fast once and a while and the body glove/foil is amazing for that. It really depends what the starting mermaid is looking to accomplish right off the bat. Do they want speed and power or spins and flexibility?
The aquarius falling off is a problem talked about all over the forum. Since it's designed for kids, I have no idea how a child swims in this. I have it on the smallest strap setting and I still can't get it to stay on my feet. Which sucks because it has potential but it's a fairly common issue.

I'd love to review these other fins however I don't own any of them. This is all I own currently.

[KateyMermaid]

I think blade stiffness has more to do with strength. I know personally when I swim with my finis rapid, I tend to swim through my knees and ankles more and don't undulate as much. My SyrenStudios fluke had a competitor fin, and is huge. The added weight and strength needed means I have to swim slower, but more efficiently. I kick fewer times, but each kick has more power behind it. Takes more strength to move a stiffer blade.

I really think it's personal preference.

Softer blades are not as efficient and are good for cardio and faster kicks. Stuffer blades are more efficient bit take more strength and you don't kick as often. In my experience anyway.

Edit:
You're point about what you are looking for as far as flips and maneuvering is also valid. My smaller finis rapid lets me turn faster and do easier flips and such. My SyrenStudios tail is more cumbersome and heavy. Not going anywhere quickly.

[Mermaid Jaffa]

Apparently there is a mindset among some Mers that the larger the monofin and the fluke, the more sexy and virtuous the tail. Go figure.
I think that is because their monofins are so big, they have area to cover with silicone and other materials. And because its so much space, they tend to have more details and artwork on it. Even a big tail like Raina's with the Foil in it, she wanted a big fluke design and that's how it turned out, huge!

But that's also personal choice, whether mers want a big monofin with a gigantic fluke or a small tail. Me personally, I design my tails based on the shape and size of the monofins I have. I don't go bigger because I know I won't be able to handle swimming comfortable in a huge fluke. My Merfin tail was the biggest tail i ever had and that was too much and too tiring.

@Moongazer, I see. I didn't know about the Mertailor tail. I hope you do more swimming videos, you're very smooth and elegant in your swimming.

[Moongazer]

@Moongazer, I see. I didn't know about the Mertailor tail. I hope you do more swimming videos, you're very smooth and elegant in your swimming.

Thanks Jaffa! I'm working really hard on that haha.

[Dancing Fish]

This is really helpful! I even have a purple Tempo...I didn't realize it's the same size as the Wave. And I'm glad you included a Foil, too.

[Moongazer]

It's nearly the same size! I think it's like an inch or two different. But yeah I had no idea too haha. And thanks! I'm really glad you found it helpful!

Also anyone is free to share this video if they feel it would be helpful to anyone not on mernetwork or on their pages. I was trying really had to make a good info video about the different types and how they move ^^