{"id":638550,"date":"2026-03-13T04:28:55","date_gmt":"2026-03-13T11:28:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=638550"},"modified":"2026-03-13T04:31:37","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T11:31:37","slug":"from-monofins-to-modern-training-finis-30-year-playbook-for-better-technique","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/from-monofins-to-modern-training-finis-30-year-playbook-for-better-technique\/","title":{"rendered":"From Monofins to Modern Training, FINIS\u2019 30-Year Playbook for Better Technique"},"content":{"rendered":"

From Monofins to Modern Training, FINIS\u2019 30-Year Playbook for Better Technique<\/b><\/p>\n

Introduction<\/b><\/h3>\n

Swim teams do not just run on laps and meet results. They run on good teaching, consistent systems, and swimmers having access to the right teaching tools at practice. We sat down with <\/span>John Mix<\/b>, co-founder and CEO of FINIS, to talk about how a technique-first company got started, how FINIS thinks about product development, and why solving operational pain points is just as important as building great gear.<\/span><\/p>\n

John put the purpose behind FINIS simply, \u201c<\/span>We are only going to build a product if it\u2019s going to have a specific purpose of improving technique.<\/b>\u201d FINIS is elevating the sport of swimming by simplifying skill acquisition at every level.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This conversation is for swim coaches, board members, and parents who care about three things. Keeping swimmers improving, keeping families engaged, and keeping teams running smoothly.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. John Mix and the FINIS Origin Story<\/b><\/h3>\n

FINIS started with a simple idea. Better technique keeps swimmers in the water longer, and makes the sport more rewarding at every level.<\/span><\/p>\n

The story begins with the monofin. John first encountered a monofin during a semester abroad in Austria, brought it back to the U.S., and began studying patents. After Pablo Morales won Olympic gold in 1992, John and Pablo met up for a reunion swim, and that monofin quickly became the center of the conversation. Soon after, they agreed to start a business together, and in 1993, FINIS was born.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the interview, John describes the moment the monofin stopped being \u201cinteresting gear\u201d and became a teaching breakthrough. He watched Pablo try it, then immediately connect it to learning outcomes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>This would be a great teaching tool to teach people how to improve their streamline and how to learn to kick in both directions.<\/b>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

That moment shaped the mission from day one. Build training tools that teach technique, not just tools that make practice harder.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Innovation and Product Development: How FINIS Builds \u201cTeaching Tools You Can Train With\u201d<\/b><\/h3>\n

FINIS\u2019s approach to innovation is consistent. Identify a real problem on deck, prototype quickly, then refine until the product reliably teaches what it is supposed to teach.<\/span><\/p>\n

John described one of the clearest habits behind the business, showing up on pool decks and watching closely.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>One of my favorite things to do is go watch and observe practice, see what they\u2019re doing. Look for inefficiencies or pain points.<\/b>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

That mindset translates into business best practices that swim teams can relate to immediately.<\/span><\/p>\n