Why Choose Short Freediving Fins

Posted on May 24, 2021

Author: Nick Pelios

The Advantages Of Using Compact Carbon Blades

When it comes to choosing the right pair of carbon fins, there are a few things that need to be considered, one of them being their length. In most cases, their use should determine their length, but there are divers, creators, and spearos who think otherwise. The longer the better, right? Not really. Lael Aprieto, Nikita Fima & Carlos Negrete, owners of both long & short fins, look into the advantages of using compact blades.

Carlos Negrete

First, they're gorgeous. They're just the most beautiful fins I've seen. I've been shooting for a few days in cenotes and caves and not having to worry about kicking the rocks, the stalactites, the stalagmites, kicking mangrove roots, other divers, it's just fantastic. The size, we didn't even have to check in extra baggage, so that just fit perfectly on my normal baggage, that was really really nice. They're short but they're so powerful. I've been doing some 20 and 20+ meter rescues, working fantastic, and fun diving cenotes, mangroves, they're just amazing. So, if you're considering short fins, definitely go for these ones. These ones are medium stiffness and I just love them so much.

Lael Aprieto

When I started taking pictures underwater, I was using the more conventional length of carbon fins back then. But it really didn't take me a lot of time to realize that how agile you have to be underwater when taking pictures, because it's all about framing, you need to be able to maneuver you know, manipulate your body, and reposition. So obviously a shorter fin would have a huge advantage when it comes to that area. Now another thing that caught me by surprise was the power I could get off these blades, because, logically, a shorter fin has less surface area compared to longer fins, so, they would displace less water and it's fair to assume that they would be weaker, you know. But not these fins man! There is some real snap into them. When you're taking pictures it's a matter of positioning correctly you know, and when your subject is moving, the conditions may be rough, the water is moving, there's a lot of stuff going on, you need something that you know can adapt to the circumstances. When it comes to underwater photography, short fins, for me, are the way to go.

Nikita Fima

Love at first sight for my perfect travel buddies. I love the agility they give me, the dynamics are amazing, especially when I'm taking pictures, in shallow water, with corals. I cannot believe the power I get from them. They are almost as strong as the long ones. I was expecting a bigger compromise and I was surprised, in a very good way.