Monofin Swimming

A monofin is a type of swim fin which, unlike the more common bi-fins consist of only a single surface attached to footpockets for both feet.
Monofins are widely used by freedivers and apnea-divers and finswimmers.
But we are going to look at it from a Mermaid perspective.

Many mermaid fans have hand crafted their own mermaid tails using a monofin as their tail.
And when they take their beautiful work to the pool or to the beach to test it - they look quite unmermaidy and they feel clumsy and uncomfortable.

First of all diving is something that shouldn't be done alone, without supervision. Especially in the beginning. Binding your feet together while diving doesn't sound like a good idea if you don't know what you're doing!

Fact is monofin swimming requires some technique to look good.
And isn't it curious, that in every sport the most efficient technique is always the one that looks best. It's like that with golf, free climbing, martial arts, swimming, dancing and every other movement.
When a movement is done efficiently it always look fluid, graceful and appealing.

The same goes for swimming with a monofin. Correctly done it looks like a wave is travelling through the body of the swimmer who then looks as elegant as a mermaid should.
Don't worry if you don't look like that when you start out. In the beginning your legs will probably bend too much at the knees and you'll look a bit helpless. But you'll get more comfortable soon with a little practice.

Monofins are available in many price categories, starting from $50 and going up to $300 or more.
For a beginner and recreational mermaid swimmer the $50 monofin should be sufficient but here are some of the brands for you to look into.

Finis - finisinc.com (good for beginners and trying out)

Leader Fins - leaderfins.com
Special Fins - specialfins.com
WaterWay - finswimworld.com

The tighter the foot pocket, the better the efficency to propel the diver through the water. Which makes the less comfortable to wear.
Efficiency is how much energy you put in compared to the outcome.
Some foot pockets have an extra layer of rubber for more comfort around the feet.
Monofins differ in size and stiffness, blade surface, material etc. and all these things can influence the efficiency of your swimming. And I have yet to read an all around good review of a monofin.
But without a good technique, none of these things matter.

So lets talk about how to swim with a monofin.

Again, we recommend you take some lessons from someone who has experience with monofins, but at least do not swim without supervision.

The arms are extended forward, hands locked together, head between your arms
The motion starts in your shoulders. By pushing your arms forward you start a wave that should fluidly travel through your whole body, each undulation flowing into the next.
The maximum amplitude of the wave should be at the hips and the power will be generated by the abdominal muscles.
That makes monofin swimming a fantastic workout as well.
You hardly bend the knees during this movement and you do not push down with your feet against the water to move yourself forward.
The core muscles do the work!
It is also important be relaxed and not stiff in the back or the arms.
Think fluid all the way down to your monofin.

That is the dolphin kick.

If you don't have a trainer, the second best thing you can do is to watch some video clips of monofin swimmers.
Also a must read is the Monofin Freediving 101 by Peter Scott on the deeperblue.com website.

By the way monofins can propel you up to 8mph through the water. That is almost twice as fast as swim star Michael Phelps (without monofins).

It is an interesting experience to swim like a mermaid, moving through the water in a fluid wave like motion. So don't give up too quickly and you will be rewarded.

More about monofins and mermaids on allthemermaids.com
Monofin