BajaNomad

Swim fins

jrbaja - 8-13-2004 at 04:05 PM

I am so antique, I thought I would ask yall.
What is the preference for all around fins these days. Snorkeling, Bodysurfing, Boogie Boarding, all purpose fins.
I have had Churchills, Duckfeet and various dive fins but they are more than likely "antiquated" brands.
Any advice ?

Swim Fins

mcgyver - 8-13-2004 at 04:14 PM

jrbaja, I found a new ,to me ,kind of fin made for these fishing float tubes. I got them at "BIG 5" store and they are made with full shoes and save from loss straps.
I can't tell you the name because they are in Baja and I am stuck here. They work great on the rocky beach that I have. I'll check Big 5 next time in town.

bajaloco - 8-13-2004 at 06:09 PM

JR...It all depends on what you want to do with them. You really can't body surf with a dive/snorkle fin. I use a pair of Scubapro Jet-fins to snorkle and dive with. I've had em over twenty years and only had to replace the straps.

I know what you are saying Loco

jrbaja - 8-13-2004 at 06:25 PM

but, I have always been able to use both Churchills and Duckfeet for "snorkeling" and wave action.
Diving is different and involves pushing around a lot of weight.
Actually, so do my fins:lol::lol::lol:
I just thought there might be some new type that was much improved over my ancient technology.

bajaloco - 8-14-2004 at 06:30 AM

When it comes to diving/ snorkel fins, there have been improvements made. The new trend is what is called a split fin. It is really more for scuba, making it easier to get around with all that weight, on my back and my belly.:biggrin:

pappy - 9-11-2004 at 01:31 AM

split fins are great! also, voit is reintroducing the UDT fin, with some modern upgrades.a very powerful fin....

gonetobaja - 9-13-2004 at 03:58 PM

I use the variant comp fin by SPORASUB It has the added bonus of being able to change the blades for stiffness depending on the dive. When I am on tanks I use the blue insert because it is alittle softer and easier on the feet and ankles, when I am freediving I use the black insert that is stiffer and gives me more thrust in the water. The fin uses a full foot so there are no straps to replace or even worse to get tangled in kelp and eel grass. Also if you ever damage any part you can order the different parts of the fin.

Its like having 2pairs of fins in one

http://www.sporasubusa.com

I use them on all of my trips.

They also carry a great line of low volume masks.

This fin has 4patents. There is even a carbon fiber insert.

I just finished my Rescue diver cert class and the instructors kept telling me that if I was going to wear those fins while diving I would have to keep a better eye on my dive buddy because I moved alot faster.

GTB



synch - 9-22-2004 at 08:47 AM

70+% of the world market of SCUBA fins is held by MARES brand fins. Fin design is is one area of SCUBA poroducts where design makes a big difference in performance.

My Mares are 10 years old and I still get comments from SCUBA buddies swimming along side me that they have trouble keeping up - esp in currents. I consider myself of average strength so it isn't me, but it is the fins.

There are new designs out there and that gap is dropping so the Mares advantage may no longer be that big anymore.
Then again, I haven't had to buy fins in 10 years...

Thanks everyone

jrbaja - 9-22-2004 at 08:51 AM

I am still listening and I think there was some great advice shared here already. I knew I was a dinosaur:lol: