Testimonials

USLA Endorses Da Fin as Official Swim Fin
June 20, 2006

The United States Lifesaving Association has endorsed Da Fin as the Official Swim Fin for its members.  In announcing the deal, B. Chris Brewster, President of USLA said, “Da Fin seems to be the swim fin of choice for many of our guards.  The endorsement agreement with Da Fin 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.”           

Da Fin Surfing Products is based in Honolulu, Hawaii.  Jay Westcott, Managing Director of the company, said, “Our goal is to see Da Fin 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.”      

Da Fin 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 Da Fin 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 Da Fin can be worn on either foot.       

Da Fin has become a favorite of lifeguards, bodysurfers, and top watermen around the world.  The Hawaiian Lifeguard Association has made Da Fin standard issue equipment for its guards for the past eight years.

With Cochran’s Aussie connections, Da Fin was originally manufactured in Australia.  However, having the manufacturing so far from the major market of the United States presented too many logistics problems.  In 2003, the manufacturing and distribution was moved to California so Da Fin is now a “Made in the USA” product.            

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