Are apollo bio fins really the best fins in the world?

[bpotkin]

After reading much information, I just purchased a pair of apollo bio fins. ( have not used them yet.) I've read that they are the best of both worlds. Power and comfort. Does anybody have an opinion?

[Krazytomdiver]

As a pro dive guide (retired) I have used Apollo black Bio pro fins with S/S springs for over ten years. Expensive but IMPO the best except they are heavy for travel. After you learn how to use them properly,you will agree that your investment was well worth the cost. Dive safe,Have fun!

"living life without a hard bottom"
KT

[hongrace]

Depends on which world you are in, I guess?:eyebrow:

[theLeakyMask]

Depends on the kind of diving you do. If you want to do back kicks, helicopter turns and precise maneuvering in general then other fins are better.

[Jorgy]

They have been a top rated fin by Scuba Diver Magazine for a long time......here is a article from 2007..

Gear / Accessories | Scuba Diving Magazine (http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/accessories/18-new-fins)

I dive SP Seawing Novas and really like them......in 2010 they were rated the best of course Apollos were not included in the article....

| Scuba Diving Magazine (http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/fins-snorkels/scublab-fins-scubapro-seawing-nova)

For ME (and I emphasize this) the Seawings offer both the comfort of a split with the control and alternate kick capability of a paddle.....

We will need to see if the Seawings are as durable over the long haul as other fins, there have been reports of the articulated joints breaking.....

M

[fdog]

Is the Ferrari F40 the best vehicle in the world?

It's an amazing car, but for lugging a bunch of scuba gear, I'd prefer a pickup truck. Or, for driving off-road, a Hummer H1 perhaps. How 'bout for soccer moms, maybe the venerable Suburban?

...Fins are just like vehicles, there's something that's best at each different application, not a single "best fin".


All the best, James

[danvolker]

Considering Scuba Diving Magazine has never tested the best Freediving fins, and then never compared these to "what they think" are the best fins, this is a completely foolish claim for anyone to consider as truthful or meaningful.

First, for a diver of average fitness with no knee or hip problems, soft bladed freediving fins ( like Cressi 3000 Gara LD's) , with the proper coordination and kicking technique, will allow this diver to be far more efficient ( use less effort, less air up) at a given speed, than with ANY scuba fins ever tested by scubadiving.com .

For an athletic scuba diver, particularly a cyclist, the medium to stiff blade models made by Specialfins.com (such as SpecialFins Monofins & fins for Freediving,Spearfishing,UW Games (http://specialfins.com/eng_products.php?product_id=75) ) or by DiveR DiveR Australia: Equipment (http://www.diveraustralia.com.au/equipment.php) will provide almost as much difference from Apollos or other "tested scuba fins", in air consumption and underwater travel, as if you were compairing traditional fins to an underwater scooter.
I am willing to prove this to anyone that dives in Palm Beach, as I have several pairs :-) and am happy to let other divers try them... I don't sell fins, and am not affiliated with a shop or manufacturer to promote fins sales....Since the late 90's it has pissed me off how badly the dive industry lies about fins, basing best fins on advertising budgets, and the having the audacity to claim best fin awards, when the real best fins are always excluded.
I am sorry I can't tell you your buying decsion was a good one....but you can console yourself in realizing that most divers were misled just as you were....

[ScubaMarc]

They have been a top rated fin by Scuba Diver Magazine for a long time......here is a article from 2007..

Gear / Accessories | Scuba Diving Magazine (http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/accessories/18-new-fins)



Has anyone ever noticed that the "speed in MPH" is ranged from 1.7 to 2.2 miles per hour in these reports. The difference is so small i can not see how this would effect the real world. The graph makes it look like the difference between 1.8 mph to 2.0 mph is huge. I would think it is not.

I would also think a diver can change his performance to increase or decrease the mph in the test the Scuba Diver Magazine test. Are these test reproducible?

I had the Apollo and ScubaPro Twin Jet Max. I did not see a significant difference.

[Bob Evans]

ScubaMarc, good questions. I introduced the first split fin "Foil Force" one year before others. I wish they had included this model in their testing. This model was developed for the U.S. Marines Recon. The "Foil Force" is made with our super duper material, bungee strap "developed also for the U.S. Marines". As with all Force Fin models a powerful recovery is quickly obtained with the foil shaped blade. The other split models are flat and hang off the end of your foot. Our open toe pocket prevents those foot cramps and much more. NO one yet has attempted to TEST the "Foil Force"..I always wonder why, may be a bigger jump in their chart?

[danvolker]

Even though Bob Evans does not produce a Freediving fin in the sense I am used to, I have tried many of his Force fin models in past years, and found the more advanced versions exponentially better than apollos or what are known as "split fins". He even has me interested in a new model he has for deep wreck penetrations, where my extremely long freedive fins ( DiveR's) can hit the ceiling on a low overhead, when I use the standard cave diver frog kick body position....since you do not want to take any chance of silting in a deep wreck penetration, no one with any brains will use a long bladed freedive fin in such a low overhead with high silt and danger potential...
Bob's new fins show the promise of the quick reaction and efficiency you can't get from splits, apollos, or traditional fins, but in a much shorter package than my DiveR's....I plan on trying a pair of these soon!

Also, sometime in late November, I will have had the time to shoot a video that will show split fin and apollo users in a Palm Beach drift current, when they have to go sideways to the current to run from the crown to the inshore ledge( common practice)...and also with a short up-current run to get to a shipwreck... This will be side by side with a diver wearing DiveR fins, and the video will show the mechanics of the kicks used by each, the breathing rate of each diver ( bubble stream) and the ease with which the DiveR wearing diver maintains an efective and efficient speed for each of these objectives while maintaining a resting heart rate--while the split fin or apollow wearing diver is breathing hard, and having extreme difficulty keeping up, even though esentially no work is being done by the DiveR fin wearing diver.... We "see" this all the time in Palm Beach...it's about time you guys see it too !!!!! :-)

[Jim Lapenta]

I have used the Bio Fins and like them for certain conditions. I have also tried Force Fins, jets, blades, quattros, V-12's, rockets, super rockets, vipers, etc. They all do what they are supposed to do. Get me thru the water. So do the Kmart Body Glove fins I use when teaching a snorkeling class in the pool for kids.

Currently for the OW diving I do I use Hollis F-1's and at this time, under the conditions I dive, they are the best fin I've used so far.

Also any fin that costs me more than $125 is a fin I will not consider because that takes away from other areas.
I am also one of the slowest swimmers there is. That is by choice. I couldn't care less if a fin allows me to go 1.5 or 1.8 mph. That is not why I dive. I also will not dive with someone who thinks jetting around underwater is how it's done. You miss too much stuff that way. What I care about is durability and comfort on my feet. Anything else really has no place in my consideration of what fin to use.

[Jorgy]

While a Scuba Magazine Review may not be the definitive fin test...it does compare a number of fins side by side under the same conditions with the same evaluators...

But fins are very subjective - I had a set of Hollis F1s, sorta like a SP Lighting Jets with a better foot pocket, my drysuit x-larges where just so heavy.......I gave them away.......

I stand by my earlier post - best all rounder are the Seawings.....light, comfortable, easy to pack, easy on the legs and when needed fast (really fast), I've been in current (St Lawrence drift), in wrecks, taking pictures, traveling......they worked great in all situations.....

So for me it is my fin of choice...

My next pair will be white so my darling bride can find me in a group easier.......:)

M

[sambolino44]

I hope you can see by now that there is no one best fin. Somebody used the analogy of cars; I was going to use shoes - nobody wants to make do with only one pair of shoes. I really like my Force Fin Tan Deltas, and I feel they are a great one-fin-meets-most-needs fin.

One thing most people leave out when comparing fins (to Force Fins) is the difference in the foot pocket. I don't see any other fins with a foot pocket like these, and it makes a huge difference in comfort.

I think the Bio-Fins only come out on top of these comparison tests when they test only flutter-kick forward motion, and they don't include Foil Force Fins.

Having said that, I truly wish you happiness with your new fins! Get out there and use them! Then let us know what you think.

[Jorgy]

yeah ....sambolina44 makes a great point.....go enjoy diving...:)

I had to use a pair of beat up kid sized no name plastic blades in the Red Sea - still had some great dives......

M

[meesier42]

there is no such thing as "best fin in the world"

the most accomplished divers in the world have many pairs of fins, they know what each one does best and select the fin for the dive they are going to do.

[Jorgy]

Hey meesier42 don't tell the DIR guys there is more than one fin....;)

SP Lighting Jets with SS straps....the only fin you'll ever need........:shocked2:

M

[danvolker]

I have used the Bio Fins and like them for certain conditions. I have also tried Force Fins, jets, blades, quattros, V-12's, rockets, super rockets, vipers, etc. They all do what they are supposed to do. Get me thru the water. So do the Kmart Body Glove fins I use when teaching a snorkeling class in the pool for kids.

Currently for the OW diving I do I use Hollis F-1's and at this time, under the conditions I dive, they are the best fin I've used so far.

Also any fin that costs me more than $125 is a fin I will not consider because that takes away from other areas.
I am also one of the slowest swimmers there is. That is by choice. I couldn't care less if a fin allows me to go 1.5 or 1.8 mph. That is not why I dive. I also will not dive with someone who thinks jetting around underwater is how it's done. You miss too much stuff that way. What I care about is durability and comfort on my feet. Anything else really has no place in my consideration of what fin to use.

Normally I find myself in agreement with you on most topics here....the swim speed "potential" is one where I am well aware I am in a much smaller minority of people that think this is important....
I think there are many places to dive in the world where you really have no advantage in going fast...but much of this stems from these areas NOT having the big marine life or places where big marine life will accumulate.

At least in my experience, the big life and huge schools will concentrate ( which is cool to see) when and where the ocean current picks up, and various structures form huge eddies ...I have seen this function on dives i have done in Palm Beach, Tobago, Fiji and several others...

....I don't have to just tell people why I think they need to have the ability to go fast, or to go slow, as needed... I can shoot videos that show why you need both fast, and slow in your arsenal...

In this video from an early morning dive off of Jupiter, we had a marine biologist with us who was hoping to record some never before seen spawning behavior by goliath groupers...we also had David Doubilet of National Geographic fame, and several other notables....Unfortunately for most of them, the big life likes to move around where the current makes it hard for split fin wearing divers to move around effectively...you can easily see the split fin wearing divers having to work their butts off to stay with the shots they were going for...and the shots the scientists wanted--these shots were only possible for Jimmy with his scooter, or me, because we could go "with" the fish, and go where they were going.. I would have wanted to be doing the same thing even without a camera....
Go where the BIG Fish Go.... - YouTube (http://youtu.be/NFeqycVHHyU?hd=1)


DiveR freedive fins are the best for an exciting dive site like this...slow where you need slow and technical, fast without effort where you need to keep pace, or swim upcurrent because of what is going on upcurrent--what you want to be in the middle of :-)

[joel smith]

I was using quattro switched to appolo a couple months ago and my air consumption got about 30% better instantly, plus no more cramps. I really like the appollo fins.

[danvolker]

I was using quattro switched to appolo a couple months ago and my air consumption got about 30% better instantly, plus no more cramps. I really like the appollo fins.

I believe this is a technique issue....one of the traits many 'New" divers like about split fins like the apollos, is that the split blades are so floppy, that any kind of kicking will push you forward....

With the quattro, and much more with a jet fin, there is a certain precise series of muscle contractions and coordinations that will make an efficient propulsive reaction for the diver who is putting out work effort- muscle work. Kicking incorrectly with these fins will cause massive inefficiency, and your muscles will tire when they should not have, if your muscles were "firing in the right order", and the shape of your kick stroke was correct for the fin.

You can make terrible mistakes with the split fins, and still move through the water without much percieved effort. [ see Diver with skills that split fins were created for...If you swim like this, GET HELP! - YouTube (http://youtu.be/2VEthluthE4?hd=1) ] ..this can be horifying for divers like myself to watch :D , which is why many of us are inclined to offer asistance in correcting the issue.

With the right technique, and with a little weekly fitness for dive muscles maintained, the splits should be a very POOR performing fin, compared to the ones designed to be used correctly. The DiveR freediving fins would be another example of a fin that "could not" be used by a diver with bad kicking technique. When used correctly, it is so effortless to kick with them you feel more like a big sailfish gliding along with zero effort, next to a split fin diver that appears to move through the water more like and inflated puffer fish :D

[Shftrdog]

I have found that people in SCUBA fall in love with a brand and to they nothing else compaires. I have dove with the Bio Fin and I do like it, that being said I dive with the TUSA Z3 split fins and I like them too. I think you just need to find a fin that is confortable and you enjoy. I do think you will like the Bio Fins but I don't belive the whole best fin in the world even though they are very good fins.

[jar546]

Has anyone ever noticed that the "speed in MPH" is ranged from 1.7 to 2.2 miles per hour in these reports. The difference is so small i can not see how this would effect the real world. The graph makes it look like the difference between 1.8 mph to 2.0 mph is huge. I would think it is not.

I would also think a diver can change his performance to increase or decrease the mph in the test the Scuba Diver Magazine test. Are these test reproducible?

I had the Apollo and ScubaPro Twin Jet Max. I did not see a significant difference.

The numbers are relevant. It is still over a 30% increase in speed from 1.7 to 2.2

So OK, I have these fins and I love them. Well, I don't love them in heavy current and depending on what type of diving you do, they may not be for you. Overall, they are very comfortable and work extremely well. I can swim rather fast if I need to but how often is that needed? Maybe after taking pictures and trying to catch up with the rest of the group on a drift dive? Anyway, you are limited on the kicks you can use with these fins and they are a little too heavy for travel. Otherwise, I love them.

[joel smith]

I believe this is a technique issue....one of the traits many 'New" divers like about split fins like the apollos, is that the split blades are so floppy, that any kind of kicking will push you forward....

With the quattro, and much more with a jet fin, there is a certain precise series of muscle contractions and coordinations that will make an efficient propulsive reaction for the diver who is putting out work effort- muscle work. Kicking incorrectly with these fins will cause massive inefficiency, and your muscles will tire when they should not have, if your muscles were "firing in the right order", and the shape of your kick stroke was correct for the fin.

You can make terrible mistakes with the split fins, and still move through the water without much percieved effort. [ see Diver with skills that split fins were created for...If you swim like this, GET HELP! - YouTube (http://youtu.be/2VEthluthE4?hd=1) ] ..this can be horifying for divers like myself to watch :D , which is why many of us are inclined to offer asistance in correcting the issue.

With the right technique, and with a little weekly fitness for dive muscles maintained, the splits should be a very POOR performing fin, compared to the ones designed to be used correctly. The DiveR freediving fins would be another example of a fin that "could not" be used by a diver with bad kicking technique. When used correctly, it is so effortless to kick with them you feel more like a big sailfish gliding along with zero effort, next to a split fin diver that appears to move through the water more like and inflated puffer fish :D WOW someone ask for an opinion , I gave mine and now I have been diagnosed with ,technique issues, I can use either fin but the appolo is an excelent fin my choice. Im pretty sure I dont have a finning problem but if I do ill find a finning expert for assistence. Lets try and just anwser the question ask.

[danvolker]

WOW someone ask for an opinion , I gave mine and now I have been diagnosed with ,technique issues, I can use either fin but the appolo is an excelent fin my choice. Im pretty sure I dont have a finning problem but if I do ill find a finning expert for assistence. Lets try and just anwser the question ask.
Joel, I was not trying to be destructive with this suggestion....if we were talking about cyclists and their pedal strokes, even category 3 riders that can average 25 miles per hour for an hour by themselves, often are told by pros or coaches that they could be faster or more efficient, if they changed their pedal stroke....

There is virtually zero emphasis in the scuba training agencies on optimal kicking mechanics....they "barely" explain what a flutter kick is, and rarely try to improve on a new diver's flutter kick, if they are any where near mediocre with it....and I believe this is what drives the majority of divers to split fins like the Apollo.

Peak Bouyancy skills are the new hot movement in instruction, since GUE trotted out Fundies a couple of years ago....But so far none of the major agencies are working with all the potential adjustments you can make to a flutter kick, to essentially "shift gears" with a good pair of fins....BY altering the angle and amplitude of the kick, you can effectively change gearing..and this is much more exagerated with long bladed freedive fins like the DiveR's.
Since no one teaches this, for you to be aware of this, would put you in a very tiny minority :-) ... and this is why I did not feel this suggestion would be offensive..... and the whole gear changing thing pretty much will not work with splits, or barely so...

[danvolker]

Sometimes I feel like no one else on Scubaboard cares about the mechanics of the optimal kicking technique--the angle of the kick, the amplitude, and the many ways you can change the shape of the kick stroke, to change the torque or the efficiency, or even to switch which muscles are being worked so you can rest one set while another does a little work....The reason I feel this way is that I will get blown away by the direction a fin thread goes in, I'll post my take on it, and then the thread dies an almost instant death.... :-)

How about some of you guys tell me why optimal kicking stroke mechanics and propulsive efficiency are not as important as Peak Bouyancy skills or other advanced tweaks a diver could work on ? If it is just coming down to it sounding like my opinion with nothing to back this up, say so here, and if this is a consensus, I will start working on a video that shows precisely each part of the mechanics I am talking about, and the effects on the diver's propulsion and efficiency. I could pull in some GUE instructors, as well as some experts in "alternative" fin systems, like Bob Evans ( or one of his Force Fins team), a world class freediver, a Navy Seal, and several others that have perfected a specific type of underwater traveling.

Reactions?

[drbill]

I was a bit uncertain when I purchased my Bio Fins about 9 years ago. I had been using US Divers Blades which gave me plenty of power. I was very pleasantly surprised by the Bio Fins. Attached to my tree trunk German legs, they were plenty powerful, greatly diminished the frequency of leg cramps, and were a real joy. The only downside I have experienced is the weight. I travel with my old Blades.

[scubafanatic]

I own 4 pairs of the Apollos (3 regular and 1 "XT" version) and I've been VERY happy with them under all diving conditions. If you want a pretty stiff feel, buy the "XT" version, otherwise I actually prefer the regular version. They are fairly heavy (being 100% natural rubber) and will sink to the bottom (negatively bouyant) if you drop one. (I've never lost one yet though). Also get the ones with the stainless steel straps, money well spent! They would not be considered 'appropriate' for 'tech' diving, but for any level of recreational diving, I think they're the best fin.

[BDSC]

If it is just coming down to it sounding like my opinion with nothing to back this up, say so here, and if this is a consensus, I will start working on a video that shows precisely each part of the mechanics I am talking about, and the effects on the diver's propulsion and efficiency. I could pull in some GUE instructors, as well as some experts in "alternative" fin systems, like Bob Evans ( or one of his Force Fins team), a world class freediver, a Navy Seal, and several others that have perfected a specific type of underwater traveling.

Reactions?

Well, until you provide some sort of "proof", what you are saying is really nothing more than your opinion just like all the other opinions expressed here. So I for one would be glad to view a video like what you are talking about. If done properly, I think it could be quite useful.

[DeepSeaExplorer]

Sometimes I feel like no one else on Scubaboard cares about the mechanics of the optimal kicking technique... Reactions?

I agree with you...

But, most divers don't care - and that's okay, really. As Jim pointed out, who needs to swim fast anyway. For most, that's the correct answer. 99% of divers can get by with the worst performing fin and be happy. Everyone has a different level of interest in the hobby. It's only when you get interested in more advanced diving that fin performance can become an issue.

It's the same in martial arts. Some are content with sloppy technique. They don't care and they're having fun, so more power to them. While others are more technical and want to execute every technique perfectly. Eventually, the sluggers become more technical or quit. You see, you have to be technical to be able to learn to do the cool stuff. Some eventually figure that out and convert, but most quit before they ever get to that decision point.

To be good at martial arts you have to be a technican because every technique has an exact right way to execute it, consequently every other way is wrong. That's the midset, right or wrong. Not only that, the instructor will yell at you if you aren't doing it exactly right. A Martial Arts instructor would never say, that's okay go ahead and do it your way if it's more comfortable for you. :cool2:

That's the way I approach swimming because it's the same type of repetitive physical activity. In martial arts, speed, power (and accuracy) come from correct technique and repetition. There's a saying, that a techique is not yours until you've done it correctly 1,000 times. So with that background, for me there is definitely only one right way to execute each type of kick, which results in the most efficiency and the most power. Do you need that level of perfection on every dive, no. But, when you're carrying 4 tanks and trying to swim against the flow in a cave every little bit helps.

It's the same with anything. If you don't attempt to improve your technique, you will hold yourself back. If you are only interested in progressing to a certain point, that's fine. But, those with no interest in improving shouldn't try to talk others down to their level, which is what the whole split fin debate becomes when someone says use a split fin because it easier. :shakehead:

[couv]

Sometimes I feel like no one else on Scubaboard cares about the mechanics of the optimal kicking technique--the angle of the kick, the amplitude, and the many ways you can change the shape of the kick stroke, to change the torque or the efficiency, or even to switch which muscles are being worked so you can rest one set while another does a little work....The reason I feel this way is that I will get blown away by the direction a fin thread goes in, I'll post my take on it, and then the thread dies an almost instant death.... :-)

How about some of you guys tell me why optimal kicking stroke mechanics and propulsive efficiency are not as important as Peak Bouyancy skills or other advanced tweaks a diver could work on ? If it is just coming down to it sounding like my opinion with nothing to back this up, say so here, and if this is a consensus, I will start working on a video that shows precisely each part of the mechanics I am talking about, and the effects on the diver's propulsion and efficiency. I could pull in some GUE instructors, as well as some experts in "alternative" fin systems, like Bob Evans ( or one of his Force Fins team), a world class freediver, a Navy Seal, and several others that have perfected a specific type of underwater traveling.

Reactions?

Apollogies to the OP for straying further.

Dan, I learned to dive when skin diving played a much larger role in a SCUBA course than it does today. Our instructor had us push on the side of the pool until the entire class could demonstrate proper fin technique. When I first became an instructor, I taught the same way, but I later gave in to the "whatever works for you-this is a family sport" method of teaching. After a while I realized how big a mistake that was and returned to teaching the basics first. (Retired from teaching now.)

I'm looking forward to seeing your videos; I'm sure I'm not alone. Please keep us posted.

Couv

[danvolker]

My plan at present is to begin the prep work for the video on OPTIMAL FINNING TECHNIQUES and matching Kick to Fin.....at the DEMA Show next week..... I will be talking to several of the Fin manufactures about getting them involved in this, but telling them upfront that there will be no bias....but they do have the ability to have an "expert
with their fin, show the proper techniques for their specific fin....this DOES change from fin to fin, enormously...something complettely lacking in dive agency training and propaganda. I expect Bob Evans of Force Fin will cooperate, I expect Apollo ot refuse, and that's fine, I will easily get a pair :-), I will talk to scubapro and see if they will cooperate--though with them it would be a GUE instructor doing the specifics for that fin....I will talk to DiveR and to Cressi, I will try to get a meet regarding the Quatros and a few other major paddle fins.

One thing I may film is taking a non-diver, non-snorkeler with no fin skills, and putting each pair of fins on them--then shoot the mechanics and resultant efficiency of their propulsion....this will be a cyclist or triathlete with good muscle fitness and coordination, but zero skill with any fin when they start this.

Then, after they are shown the proper mechanics by an expert, and practiced for 15 minutes or so, shoot them again....the video would certainly be showing the expert doing the fin technique for the non-diver, and the result for them.

A final part of the dive will be a group dive, with each of the fins tested present on an "expert", and the team leader will be on a Gavin scooter with the props set to a slow forward speed, one that should be a "middle" speed for divers in general, and the group will follow this pace. Afterward, we can look at a comparison of the way each fin assists the diver in maintaining exactly this pace.....notably, there will be lots of going from the offshore fingers ( extreme east side of north-south trending reef-line) across the crown to the extreme west side to the inshore ledge.....In Palm Beach, many divers like beginning on the fingers at 90 feet or so, staying there for 5 to 10 minutes, then swimming UP the face of the outer reef wall --up onto the crown at about 45 to 50 feet deep, and then swimming West across the crown to the inshore ledge....the side current ( Gulf stream drift) makes Apollo fins non-functional in my experience having to drag so many split fins users along here, so they could make it to the inshore ledge. The fact that my fins not only make it easy for me to get there, but even drag a split fin wearing diver across current as well, should indicate a big difference between fin quality exists. But, this "could be" a technique issue also, as many slit fin wearers have never been told they are kicking incorrectly, and never thought about how they might improve on this.

How does this sound so far ?

[bpotkin]

Thanks to everybody for their opinions. As a side note, I purchased the appollos to have more power than my Tusa z3 x-pert zoom.
My Tusa fins are super comfortable but seem to be very short on power in surge and current. I have not yet used the
new Appollos but I'm still hoping that they both "comfortable and powerful!".

[couv]

Could I suggest you have a Mod spilt some of this into a separate thread? I think a lot of this deserves a thread of its own.


My plan at present is to begin the prep work for the video on OPTIMAL FINNING TECHNIQUES and matching Kick to Fin.....at the DEMA Show next week..... I will be talking to several of the Fin manufactures about getting them involved in this, but telling them upfront that there will be no bias....but they do have the ability to have an "expert
with their fin, show the proper techniques for their specific fin....this DOES change from fin to fin, enormously...something complettely lacking in dive agency training and propaganda. I expect Bob Evans of Force Fin will cooperate, I expect Apollo ot refuse, and that's fine, I will easily get a pair :-), I will talk to scubapro and see if they will cooperate--though with them it would be a GUE instructor doing the specifics for that fin....I will talk to DiveR and to Cressi, I will try to get a meet regarding the Quatros and a few other major paddle fins.

One thing I may film is taking a non-diver, non-snorkeler with no fin skills, and putting each pair of fins on them--then shoot the mechanics and resultant efficiency of their propulsion....this will be a cyclist or triathlete with good muscle fitness and coordination, but zero skill with any fin when they start this.

Then, after they are shown the proper mechanics by an expert, and practiced for 15 minutes or so, shoot them again....the video would certainly be showing the expert doing the fin technique for the non-diver, and the result for them.

A final part of the dive will be a group dive, with each of the fins tested present on an "expert", and the team leader will be on a Gavin scooter with the props set to a slow forward speed, one that should be a "middle" speed for divers in general, and the group will follow this pace. Afterward, we can look at a comparison of the way each fin assists the diver in maintaining exactly this pace.....notably, there will be lots of going from the offshore fingers ( extreme east side of north-south trending reef-line) across the crown to the extreme west side to the inshore ledge.....In Palm Beach, many divers like beginning on the fingers at 90 feet or so, staying there for 5 to 10 minutes, then swimming UP the face of the outer reef wall --up onto the crown at about 45 to 50 feet deep, and then swimming West across the crown to the inshore ledge....the side current ( Gulf stream drift) makes Apollo fins non-functional in my experience having to drag so many split fins users along here, so they could make it to the inshore ledge. The fact that my fins not only make it easy for me to get there, but even drag a split fin wearing diver across current as well, should indicate a big difference between fin quality exists. But, this "could be" a technique issue also, as many slit fin wearers have never been told they are kicking incorrectly, and never thought about how they might improve on this.

How does this sound so far ?

So far? .....it sounds like you have your work cut out for you! I just hope that by the time you've completed this project I won't be too old to make any use of it.

Your method sound infinitely more complex than my old fin test: With eyes closed, have a different type of fin on each foot and swim across the bottom of a pool. Repeat in the opposite direction. The better fin should tend to push toward the opposite side (differential thrust.) Of course this only works for fins of similar design that require the same type of kick.

I'm looking forward to the results of your test.

Couv