I was fortunate. I contacted the head poobah at a local community pool and asked. I offered to show up and let him examine / inspect it. He was a little concerned about it's width (24" - I have a SunTails) but I also offered to demonstrate the quick-release feature (no heel straps) and basically showed the inherent safety OF it, even offered to do a swim test too if needed. We talked momentarily in person, he simply said, go check it out! And my first visit to the pool was even gratis... I did make sure to demonstrate I wasn't an idiot with it in the lanes, either. Diplomacy goes a LONG ways... However, NO tail itself, which I can understand, and is reasonable given that it's a community pool.