Fins: Long or short?

Coach Marty here. I use these longer fins.  There will be arguments I’m sure about this.  But like my mum used to say, ‘isn’t it wonderful we are not all the same’.

I’ve used both short and long fins.  Seven or eight years ago I got the pair you see in the video.  I have a fairly strong two beat kick.  I get a real good extra thrust when it is properly co-ordinated with my arm stroke.  I have found that the longer fins help increase both my strength and flexibility.  

I find for me the longer fins increase flexibility in my ankles.  I can definitely feel the muscles in my calves legs and hips after a good workout.
Every workout I do a 200 metre kick on my back. But... when you are either on your back doing a kick drill or when on your front using a flutter board, you are not kicking the same way as when you swim.

So, to I insert a couple of other drills into my workout.  First drill after my workout is that 200 metre kick on my back.  Strength and flexibility.  Later, I do 4x50 metres 'skating' drill.  If you watch that video, you will see that I'm kicking while on my 'side'.  Or at least the degree on my side in the way that I actually swim.  I do this drill every workout, no matter - have been for years.  To me it is the most important drill that I do. With the kick, I'm drilling a more 'sideways' kick.  Which is what you are doing with proper rotation in freestyle.

Lastly, at the end of a workout, my cool down is 100 metre freestyle.  With fins.  Slow, long and easy.  I really exaggerate the stroke. No hand paddles just fins. So, my choice of fins, having used both short and long, is definitely long.