Testimonials

Brian Keaulana
World renowned Hawaiian waterman

I am writing to endorse DAFIN, a swim fin that I have found is the best all-around fin in the world.

My life’s work has been in the ocean as an ocean rescue specialist and instructor, a professional surfer and big wave rider, film industry stuntman and stunt coordinator.
I have been in the most extreme ocean situations. And as I tell everyone who rides tow-in rescue craft with me at Jaws, “Put on your DAFINs now - before the wipeout.”

DAFIN has come up with a design that totally suits my needs in ocean situations. Flexibility and strength are the two utmost things I need in a pair of fins. DAFIN has both and more.

First, flexibility. In a heavy surf situation you need a fin that is flexible to change direction fast, whether it is to get off your rescue craft quickly or to avoid a coral reef. Flexibility is also a requirement in rescue situations where you need agility in the water both for self defense and maneuvering a victim in the right direction.

Second, strength. When tons of water are holding you down or tumbling you over and over, there is only a fine line for survival. When you see that line, DAFIN can kick in with the strength you need to reach your vantage point, whether it’s a rescue or saving your own life.

As I teach in my classes, DAFIN gives me strength to hold back danger, the speed to outrun danger, the agility to outmaneuver danger, the flexibility to bend or contort to avoid danger, and, last but not least, the endurance to outlast danger. Strength, Speed, Agility, Flexibility and Endurance (SSAFE) is my way of creating safety.

When you put on DAFIN, it’s not like another piece of equipment, it feels more like a natural part of your body. DAFIN’s foot pocket is soft and clings to your foot in rough situations. (I have never had one ripped off by ocean turbulence.) And the stiffness of the blade and its outer directional ribs give me added power.

When I’m working on a movie set, whether it be “Water World,” “In God’s Hands,” “Riding Giants,” “Blue Crush,” “Pearl Harbor,” or “Billabong Odessey,” I’m not without DAFINs. In fact, as stunt coordinator on several major movies, I have encouraged other stuntmen to use DAFIN. They have all been thankful for my advice.

So besides flexibility and strength, DAFIN is extremely comfortable. I don’t go to work without them. That’s why when I’m operating a rescue craft in huge surf, I’ve got them on, and they’ll stay on most of the day.

Some of my credentials that back up this endorsement include: instructor for ocean risk management, ocean survival and underwater self defense, former Honolulu City County lifeguard lieutenant who helped pioneer the use of rescue craft and invent the rescue sled towed behind, Hui of He’e Nalu Hawaiian Water Patrol, 1991 Quiksilver Aikau Waterman Award, and over 500 awards for surfing, canoe surfing, body boarding, body surfing, tandem surfing and sailing. Currently I work with the film industry as an actor, stuntman, stunt coordinator and director.

Mahalo for giving me a chance to endorse an extremely good product for surviving extreme ocean scenarios.