Nice work so far Surffoils, while you’re at it throw in an adjustable heel strap. Velcro with some neoprene; custom fit and open to more foot sizes.
Monkstar1, I’ll add in an adjustable strap if possible, it’s a. Good idea.
And taking your idea about neoprene I’ve reshaped the fin pocket to be more like a Da Fin/ Vipers/ LeBlon and lined it with 3 mm Neoprene.
Its all about the heel strap pulling your foot snugly into a generous and comfortable foot pocket with a solid heel stop.Don’t even think about grabbing the toe area. It’s all about the strap / pocket opening / heel stop and that’s supremely comfortable.
Now I’m working on making a basic soft foot pocket template that I can add a blade to. The basic pocket is made in neoprene but Ill make it in rubber next so its more realistic for testing. And then it’s all about making and attaching a blade.
Thinking out loud… I wonder if I can go towards a cylindrical Annular Wing style of blade ?
If you come up with a quick change attachment for the foot pocket, you could offer different fin shapes for people to choose. I wonder if there would be people that would have assymetrical flipper arrangement.
Momnkstar1, I’ll have to come up with quick change system just for prototypes, probably a couple of poly brackets down the sides.
It’s interesting that Ive learned how materials work for flippers. A soft silicone is beautiful on the foot but not strong enough to get kicking resistance so the silicone design has to be bulked up. Rubber has the strength and rigidity for the blade but has to use a softer compound for the foot pocket.
Makers who use a compromise, design in strengthening folds for the blade and thinner heel straps to get some stretch.
Heres a rubber foot pocket I’ve started.
While I work on footpockets here’s an intruiging idea.
Using an Annular Wing for a flipper.
It could be a large diameter,
round or oval,
could be short , medium or long
would the foot go inside the cylinder?
Here’s the Annular Wing Fin. It feels like I’m getting the same thrust but it’s easier on my legs.
I need to swap over to a longer cylinder or greater diameter just to compare.
Someone at the beach said “Oh you won’t be able to walk on the rocks in those” and it made me think just how much the design of a flipper is catering to its land function ?
F’rinstance, when your leg and foot is moving in the water it doesn’t create a straight line .
so the fin blade isn’t horizontal, it always pointing down at least 10 degrees creating drag.
But you could bend your knee to lift the fin out of the water but not if you’re bodysurfing.
But with a Minimal foot pocket and the Annular Wing angled 10 deg up , it sits in the horizontal plane when you’re at rest.
Out swimming with them today I noticed it does propel you forward and the cylinder directs water out the back rather than parting the water like a flat blade. I’m not sure if it’s a good or bad idea, or just different at the moment.
But you’re pre-supposing the leg is straight, if the knee is slightly bent, then it’s back to a horizontal plane in spite of the angle of the foot.
Good stuff, fascinating process.
Huck, I see what you’re saying. I tend to straighten my Legs and tighten my core when bodysurfing, trying to get some lift from being stiff.
I don’t know how everyone else does it. Maybe they do ?
Here’s fins that a mate knocked up by modifying a pair of aquafins:
He says, “After numerous brands over approximately 55 plus yrs ive finally found a perfect pair off flippers,no cramps,too much thrust,reef walker walk on coral watever,so comfortable, warm just PERFECT”
Took a pair of Aquafins- “I cut up old flippers to add extra blade length just glued and bolted on top”
Got a pair of these South American Leblon Fins / Flippers. 800 g heavy.
Overall they have a longer wider blade which probably accounts for the reviews about them being tiring on legs but giving excellent drive.how much longer they are than the Duck Feet or Da Fins.
I believe the company doesn’t make them anymore but they have some great hydrodynamic design.
