Diving fins as well as swim fins allow fast and elegant movement in the water. The diver’s fin is practically copied from the wildlife, from amphibians with webbed skins and other aquatic life fins, With fins the water resistance is better overcome. A first sketch of a kind of diving fin has been handed down by Leonardo da Vinci, who has put many a revolutionary invention on paper. His diving fins were designed to help swimmers seal ship hulls. There are several types of diving fins that are used in swimming, rescue and professional diving. Also in the leisure sector, such as snorkeling, diving fins are popular swimming aids. The fins used in diving usually have a larger propulsion surface than fins for swimming. For snorkeling, both divers and swim fins are suitable. Diving fins as well as swim fins consist of a fin blade with shoe-like foot part. They are made of plastics such as rubber, polyvinyl chloride or polyurethane.

Man as a diver and explorer

The colonization of land areas and the sedentary becoming of man was always connected with the water. Rivers, lakes and oceans were lifelines for commerce, the discovery of the world and valuable resources and food sources. Even more than 6,000 years ago, people also tried to explore the underwater worlds. Apnea diving is an invention of the early days of human culture. Many archaeological finds have shown that many thousands of years ago humans dived for pearl mussels, snails, corals and sponges. Only in 1968, near the Italian city of Naples in Paestum an ancient Greek grave with valuable painting was discovered. The archaeologists called this about 2,500 years tomb „tomb of the diver“. A young man seems to jump from a cliff into the sea. A diver may or may be a metaphor for jumping into another world after death. Aristotle described as early as the fourth century BC the operation of a diving bell. The Roman scholar and military official Pliny the Elder reported in 60 AD that he provided divers with snorkeling. It is also known that combat divers conquered galleys in Roman antiquity.

Diving opens up fantastic worlds

In the Renaissance, the ability to dive was discovered virtually new. This was especially due to the conquest and discovery of the oceans by future colonial powers. At this time, Da Vinci designed not only a first swim fin, but also a first swimsuit made of pigskin. The first modern diving technique and the description of the diving disease took place from the 17th century. In the 19th century, people became increasingly aware of the dangers from the depths. First professional divers accomplished true pioneering achievements. In 1830, the regulation was already passed that diving must be undertaken by at least two people together. The underwater world was curse and temptation alike and some brave diver left for his life. Already in 1856 there were the first proven underwater shots. Only the invention of plastics in the 20th century enabled the production of modern diving suits, diving masks and diving fins. In the meantime a lot has happened in this area. Thanks to the invention of neoprene diving is no longer a problem even in cold waters. And with state-of-the-art diving fins, anyone can discover fantastic underwater worlds, whether in the Caribbean, in the Mediterranean or in the local bathing lake.

Diving fins in comparison and comparison

A comparison and comparison of 11 different diving fins came to the following result. The winners of the comparison are the Inox fins of the manufacturer Aqua Speed ​​with a very good result. Additional flow holes and channels provide high functionality in this model. The unisex fins Rondinella of the brand Cressi were also rated very good. These fins made of polypropylene are described as ideal for snorkeling and swimming. The foot part is additionally stabilized on the side. The flippers Flame for children of the Aqua Lung GmbH follow as good and cheap. Also rated as good, the unisex Biofuse fins by Speedo, the fins Palau of the manufacturer Cressi and the unisex fins Cressi swim, which should be suitable for all water sports. Almost as well were evaluated the unisex diving fins Reaction Pro by Cressi. Also the diving fins for children of Aquazon received good test results and should be particularly robust. Three models of Cressi are also recommended: the Diving fins Pro Light, the fins Aqua Blue and the unisex fins Pluma.