July 7, 2026 - Let's Talk Fins
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Swimming Business Origins and Innovation
John discussed the origins of his swimming business with Glenn, describing how it started as a hobby with teammate Pablo Morales and how Glenn was one of the early supporters who helped guide the business. He explained the development of their innovative products, including the monofin and front-mounted snorkel, emphasizing the importance of educating customers about the benefits and proper usage. John noted that while competitors copied their snorkel design after the patent expired, they continued to iterate and improve their products, including developing a stability snorkel with a padded attachment.
Swimming Fins Design and Regulations
Glenn and John discussed the design principles of swimming equipment, focusing on how modern fins minimize interference and become an extension of the swimmer's body. Helen, a referee for open water events, explained that fins are not allowed in mass-start events due to safety concerns, but there is an assisted category for swimmers using wetsuits or other aids where their times still count but they cannot win awards. The discussion also touched on the historical development of fins, from Leonardo da Vinci's concepts in the 1400s to Benjamin Franklin's wooden versions, and noted that some open water races in Europe do allow fin swimming as a separate category.
Triathlon Swimming Equipment Discussion
John discussed how triathlon organizations now allow front snorkels to address swim anxiety, noting that most triathletes only complete about one and a half events due to swimming fears. He recommended slip fins as the ideal choice for recreational swimmers, describing them as lightweight, comfortable, and providing a larger foot surface without being heavy equipment. The discussion ended with John beginning to address design variables of different fin types and their impact on body position.
Swim Fin Use Case Recommendations
John explained the different use cases for various fins, noting that the Slip Fin is designed to mimic race-paced training with a natural feeling and fast foot speed due to its exact anatomical shape fit. He recommended using the oversized Edge fin for heavy resistance kicking sets and the Slip Fin for specific swim sets and warm-ups, as it allows for better tempo and stroke control. John also suggested having multiple fin types in a gear bag, comparing it to having different cars for different purposes, and highlighted the affordability and versatility of the Slip Fin for various training applications.
Swimming Coaching and Product Development
Glenn discussed his swimming coaching approach, emphasizing the importance of teaching elegant warm-up techniques to young swimmers before focusing on speed. John explained the product development process for the slip fin, using the metaphor of water boiling at 212 degrees to illustrate how small adjustments can lead to significant improvements. Glenn and John both highlighted that the development process involves extensive testing with actual swimmers rather than relying solely on CAD or wind tunnel testing, with John mentioning they likely went through around 100 different designs before settling on the current version.
Swimming Fin Product Development Insights
John explained that AI cannot fully replace product development due to the need for iterative improvements based on real-world measurements and feedback. He shared insights about foot measurements for their swimming fin product, noting that 90% of female swimmers aged 13 and older fit in small sizes (21-24 centimeters), while 60% of men fit in medium sizes. John emphasized the importance of proper foot placement in the fin for optimal performance, explaining that swimmers should position their feet 85% into the fin to achieve the best results.
Innovative Swim Fins Development
John discussed the development of swim fins that no longer require a heel cup or strap, mentioning that patents are in place in multiple countries. He explained that the fins come in different sizes with an 8% growth difference between sizes, and all products are yellow to make them easily recognizable on production decks. John emphasized their mission to create high-quality technical products that help people swim better for a lifetime.
Swimming Innovation with Slip Fins
Van shared his experience with the Dressel Project, which aims to determine if someone can swim as fast as Caleb Dressel for 25 yards using any equipment except a tow boat. He discussed his work with swim fins, particularly highlighting the benefits of slip fins for improving kicking velocity and reducing ankle pain compared to other types of fins. John emphasized the importance of collaboration and innovation in swimming, noting how new approaches like slip fins represent a departure from traditional designs that haven't changed in centuries. Glenn asked about recommendations for master swimmers with calf problems, and John suggested slip fins as a more friendly option compared to Zoomer fins.
Slip Fin Design Discussion
John explained that the slip fin allows for greater foot movement and flexibility compared to traditional fins like the Zoomer, which have a rigid front end that hinders natural kicking motion. Glenn shared a visual demonstration he created in Claude showing how pointed toes create different water vortices than slightly angled toes, and discussed how the rigid nature of Zoomers can cause calf cramping due to restricted flexibility. John supported this by explaining that their study found the slip fin's design eliminates the forced hinge action that occurs with traditional fins, allowing for more natural and fluid movement.
Slip-on Fins Sizing Discussion
John discussed the slip-on fins, addressing common questions about sizing and fit. He explained that there is a learning curve when first using the fins due to the foreign feeling of the gasket around the foot, but users will adapt over time. Suzy asked about sizing issues she experienced, and John recommended trying a medium size and noted that the company offers customer support to help with proper sizing. John also shared positive feedback from recent demos at swimming clubs and mentioned plans to expand the product line to include smaller sizes for younger swimmers and people with disabilities.
