New Line of Fun Swimming Accessories with Wyland Marine Life Artwork Encourages Kids to Protect the Ocean

Livermore, CA – November 4, 2009 – Legendary artist, philanthropist and marine lover, Wyland, has teamed up with FINIS, Worldwide Leader in Technical Swimming Development, to create a new line of fun and lively ocean-inspired swim gear.  Now available in stores, the range of colorful snorkels, masks and fins emulate the colors and aesthetics of marine wildlife introducing children to an “under the sea” swimming experience. Wyland’s hope is that the new line of high-end but affordable and fun swim gear will help raise awareness amongst today’s youth and educate them about the dangers that the world’s oceans and wetlands currently face.

“My art is about spreading the message that if people see the beauty in nature, they’ll work to preserve it”, says Wyland.  “Wyland’s partnership with FINIS is a perfect way to share this message to swimmers of all ages,” says John Mix, President of FINIS.  “Wyland is the master of marine life imagery – we are thrilled to be working with him to make our high-quality product line more appealing to kids by adding his creativity and artwork.”

Every child dreams of being a mermaid or a dolphin when they think about the ocean, with that in mind FINIS and Wyland have created the “Dolphin Tail”, a unique piece that slips onto both feet at once and secures them with an adjustable Velcro strap. Feeling like the “Little Mermaid” the child can swim easily with this fun lightweight fin. Available in aqua or pink, they resemble the swimming technique of an actual dolphin, fish, or mermaid in the sea.  The Dolphin Tail is available for $29.99 at www.FINISINC.com.

For the older kids, there is the “Whale Tail” monofin, a larger, firmer version of the Dolphin Tail. These fins are tailored towards anyone over the age of 12 who is simply looking for a little fun while swimming.  Designed for kids and adults with shoes sizes 1-7 for kids and 8-12 for adults, these adjustable fins make for fast underwater swimming. The Whale Tail retails at $49.99 for kids and $89.99 for adults and is available at www.FINISINC.com.

Your child can go under the sea and explore with these ocean inspired Guppy Goggles and Explorer and Elite Mask and Snorkel sets. These goggles, masks and snorkel sets boast superior-quality materials, an ergonomic design and comes in sizes for both youth and adults.  The goggles are available for $11.99-$14.99 and the mask and snorkel sets are available for $24.99- $49.99 at www.FINISINC.com.

For more information, visit www.FINISINC.com.
About Wyland:
With half a million collectors in over 30 countries, marine life artist and conservationist Wyland has done more than any other artist to raise awareness of the beauty of life on our blue planet. His equally successful non-profit Wyland Foundation, in partnership with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (UCSD) and the Ocean Institute of Dana Point, Calif, is actively engaged in teaching millions of children and families to become better stewards of our oceans, rivers, lakes, streams, and wetlands.  The Artist’s latest project, FOCUS (Forests, Oceans, Climate — and US) brings together the U.S. Forest Service, NOAA, the Wyland Foundation, numerous non-profits to teach young people about our forests and ocean – and how these two irreplaceable resources hold the key to the future of our water supplies, climate, and global health.

About FINIS:

Founded in 1993 by John Mix and Olympic Gold Medalist, Pablo Morales, FINIS develops the most technologically advanced training equipment for the swimming community. FINIS offers something for swimmers of all abilities to improve their technique. USA Olympic Water Polo Team Captain Tony Azevedo is a FINIS Sponsored Athlete. Brands currently operated under FINIS include: FINIS, SwiMP3, and Zoomers.

Media Contacts:
Jennifer Baybrook
Account Executive
Max Borges Agency
1.305.576.1171 ext. 13
jenniferbaybrook@maxborgesagency.com

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