Testimonials

USLA Endorses DaFiN as Official Swim Fin
June 20, 2006

The United States Lifesaving Association has endorsed DaFiN as the Official Swim Fin for its members.  In announcing the deal, B. Chris Brewster, President of USLA said, “DaFiN seems to be the swim fin of choice for many of our guards.  The endorsement agreement with DaFiN secures special discount pricing for all USLA Professional members which is available immediately.  Next season, the discount pricing will also be offered to all Junior Lifeguard members.”           

DaFiN Surfing Products is based in Honolulu, Hawaii.  Jay Westcott, Managing Director of the company, said, “Our goal is to see DaFiN on the feet of every professional lifeguard in the world so we are very excited to have this opportunity to work closely with the USLA and its members.”      

DaFiN was developed by Westcott’s partner, Andy Cochran, an Aussie who has made Hawaii his home for the past 28 years.  Cochran had been a lifeguard at Australia’s famous Bondi Beach and was one of Oz’s early surfing pioneers. 

With input from world renowned pros in Hawaii such as Mark Cunningham and Brian Keaulana, Cochran developed his idea for a high performance swim fin about 10 years ago and was granted a U.S. Patent for his unique design.  The side rails --- the “strakes”--- on DaFiN are rock solid but only run about half way down the length of the fin where they angle back to the blade.  This forces the fin to flex right at this critical point.  The raised v-shaped foot pocket combined with a stiff blade working together at the point of flex creates maximum acceleration of the water flowing over the fin surface resulting in more thrust per kick with less effort by the user.  For such a powerful fin, it is unusually light in weight.  It has a comfortable foot pocket and it floats in the ocean.  There is no right or left foot difference so DaFiN can be worn on either foot.       

DaFiN has become a favorite of lifeguards, bodysurfers, and top watermen around the world.  The Hawaiian Lifeguard Association has made DaFiN standard issue equipment for its guards for since 1998.

For more information, see the ad in this issue of American Lifeguard Magazine or visit the company’s website at www.dafin.com.