I always tell newcomers to the sport that bodyboarding without swimfins is like rowing a boat without oars. The bodyboard was designed to be used with swimfins on your feet. The rail design works best with your swimfin acting as a natural extension of that edge. Fins greatly help in all aspects of bodyboarding- paddling out, catching waves, steering and controlling the board...they are THE MOST IMPORTANT thing to have other than the board itself.