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Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California.

It takes a lot of creativity and effort to revolutionize a simple product that has been on the market for a long time.

That is what FINIS showed its corporate creativity when it developed its Axis Buoy, a multi-function pull buoy that was also nominated for the 2015 World Open Water Swimming Offering of the Year.

After more than a year of research and development, FINIS designed a soft foam form factor that can used as both a traditional buoy and an ankle float. Using the Axis Buoy as an ankle float encourages better body alignment and a more horizontal body position on the surface of the water. This helps to increase stroke efficiency.

“It’s great, the device is interchangeable and makes it easier to focus on body line in the water,” says two-time Olympic swimmer Roy Burch.

With the FINIS touch, Axis Buoy offers a modern twist to an old-fashioned tool that helps swimmers of all ages and abilities. “The Axis Buoy is so great because it is a tool that can be used by every swimmer. The time and thought that went into making this product is a testament to our great team here at FINIS and I truly believe that the Axis Buoy will change the world of swimming,” says FINIS co-founder John Mix.

The Axis Buoy is made of durable EVA foam that doesn’t itch and cause irritation. The ergonomical design allows the device to be easily moved from the upper legs to the ankles (see review here). “John Mix and his team of designers came up with another innovative FINIS design that will help swimmers of all levels. They had to figure out the optimal materials, molds and manufacturing processes to make this multi-use buoy,” says Steven Munatones. “It is as versatile as a swimming tool can be. I take the Axis Buoy on trips so I have an all-in-one pull buoy / kickboard. It is also really good in the open water, although sometimes I have to carry it in my hands through heavy surf.

It works on the core in a way that traditional kick boards and pull buoys do not. In a way, the buoy also reminds me of the days back in the 1960s and 1970s when we used black rubber pulling bands tied on our ankles – but it is now in a form factor for the 21st century.

The Axis Buoy also serves as a very comfortable pillow to use on the deck of an escort boat, in the bleachers by a swimming pool, on the beach, or on a long flight in an airplane. You can’t beat that for versatility and utility.”

Its unique shape enables the FINIS Axis Buoy to be used in multiple ways:

1. As a traditional pull buoy between your thighs.
2. As a lower leg pull buoy that hooks around your ankles and puts good pressure on your core while elevating your body position to more likely resembles your body position in salt water conditions.
3. As a kickboard that hooks around your wrists (swimming on your front or back) and puts good pressure on your core while keeping your body position lower than a traditional kickboard.
4. As a vertical kickboard that hooks around your wrists as your body is vertical in the water.

The World Open Water Swimming Offering of the Year nomination for the Axis Buoy reads, “The Axis Buoy is another outstanding product envisioned and created by FINIS. The multi-function pull buoy can be used as a traditional buoy, isolating the legs while utilizing the core and upper body muscles and serving as an ankle float that encourages better body alignment and a more horizontal body position on the surface of the water, which helps to increase stroke efficiency. The ergonomic design allows the device to be easily moved from the upper legs to the ankles and can also be used as a kickboard and a comfortable pillow to use on the deck of an escort boat, in the bleachers by a swimming pool, on the beach, or on a long flight in an airplane. For its versatility and utility, for its ergonomic design, and for its designers who took a year to develop it, the Axis Buoy by FINIS is a worthy nominee for the 2015 World Open Water Swimming Offering of the Year.”

To vote for the WOWSA Awards, visit here. Voting continues until December 31st 2015.