I’m considering the purchase of a surfmat - after reading all of those threads on the the subject, as well as the complete surfer thread, it seems like it would be a nice way to round out chances to get some waves. With a five hour round-trip drive, it would be nice to have something that’s good in all conditions, if the waves aren’t suitable for a board. Hey, can you bust sick air on one those mats? (just kidding) The question is: has anyone out there used “neofins” - the ones with the neoprene foot insert? I was wanting to get something that would be suitable for both matting and bodysurfing. They look like they would be comfortable, particularly for extended sessions. I was just wondering how they would compare to other body surfing fins ( i.e. Churchill, Duck Feet)in terms of thrust and overall use. thanks, billa
I just got back from the beach…2-3’ side/onshore slop…If I didn’t have my mat I would have gone back home…After a 3 hour session I’m stoked!!!.. It was my third time on my mat and I’m “getting it”… Previous to today I’ve used Churchill fins…Old Makapu’s and more recently their most recent product…Dissapointing…Heavy and Cumbersome…I returned them…This week after much internet research, I got some ScubaPro Twin Jet fins…Much better…There are fast and flexible…They are also known as propellor fins…Churchill, Voit, NeoFin, etc are known as paddle fins…The propellor fins relese the water through the center of the fin, the paddle fins relese the water off the side of the fin… the end result is that propellor fins are significantly faster, and not as likely to cause cramping because they are more efficient… The guy across the street from has NeoFins…I like them, they look real comfortable… But I’m glad I bought what I did… Paul
Hi billa, I’ve always had problems with fin chaffing and blisters so I was lucky to find a discounted pair of Neofins online. I couldn’t afford to pay the full retail price. The advantages of the Neofins are that they are extremely comfortable and lightweight. The disadvantage is that they don’t have quite as much power as other fins like Churchills. My Neofins are the older versions with the short, thin blade. They recently released a re-designed model that’s supposed to compensate for the loss of power. If comfort were your primary concern, the Neofins would be perfect for you. Although they’re not as comfortable, I prefer Viper fins. If possible, I would suggest that you test a variety of different fins before making your final decision. A while back Dale told me about the split (propeller) fins that Paul mentioned in his reply. If I ever save up enough money I intend to invest in a pair. It sounds like these fins are the future for anyone interested in speed and economy of energy.
I just got back from the beach…2-3’ side/onshore slop…If I didn’t have > my mat I would have gone back home…After a 3 hour session I’m > stoked!!!.. It was my third time on my mat and I’m “getting > it”…>>> Previous to today I’ve used Churchill fins…Old Makapu’s and more > recently their most recent product…Dissapointing…Heavy and > Cumbersome…I returned them…This week after much internet research, I > got some ScubaPro Twin Jet fins…Much better…There are fast and > flexible…They are also known as propellor fins…Churchill, Voit, > NeoFin, etc are known as paddle fins…The propellor fins relese the water > through the center of the fin, the paddle fins relese the water off the > side of the fin… the end result is that propellor fins are significantly > faster, and not as likely to cause cramping because they are more > efficient…>>> The guy across the street from has NeoFins…I like them, they look real > comfortable… But I’m glad I bought what I did…>>> Paul Paul, I’m on it looks like they’re a little dear around 2C with tax locally but they’ll out last a modern surfboard with a little care. I’ve been wishing I had some really good swim fins. My Hrydro Techs are supposed to be Daboom but they’re so short and stiff. I’ve got the suit. Looks like I’m gonna be set. Great tip! Softer fins are so much more comfortable and easier on the lower leg muscles. I’m stoked and I don’t even have ‘em yet!! Gotta go body surfin’ trouble is all the beaches here look like tomatoe soup with red tide, which could be a little bad for the health. Research and developement continues. (just a couple of board fin brainstorms last night and this morning I can’t wait to start on as well!) Aloha, Rich
Paul,>>> I’m on it looks like they’re a little dear around 2C with tax locally but > they’ll out last a modern surfboard with a little care. I’ve been wishing > I had some really good swim fins. My Hrydro Techs are supposed to be > Daboom but they’re so short and stiff. I’ve got the suit. Looks like I’m > gonna be set. Great tip! Softer fins are so much more comfortable and > easier on the lower leg muscles. I’m stoked and I don’t even have ‘em > yet!! Gotta go body surfin’ trouble is all the beaches here look like > tomatoe soup with red tide, which could be a little bad for the health.>>> Research and developement continues. (just a couple of board fin > brainstorms last night and this morning I can’t wait to start on as well!)>>> Aloha, Rich …Online my fins were a lot less than MSRP…Check some dive supply sites… Care to share your fin brainstorms??? BTW … I started a 10’ hollow today… Paul
Paul: Slightly off topic but if you had fun in the little stuff, wait 'till you get some real waves. I lucked into some A+ stuff last weekend and I can honestly say it will be a difficult choice between fiberglass or nylon everytime I go out from now on. Newbs
Why not have the best fins for the best wave riding vehicle? Both high quality products and easily portable. http://www.forcefin.com -Rob Olliges
Ahh yeas fins - as in the feet kind — I have a great of deal experience with this type of surf wear. I have been using one of Dales mats since last spring. I brough to my mat ridding the concepts that I used and developed over the years professional urchin diving, body surfing, kneeboarding and paipo ridding. Contrary to what one might find being suggested for “appropriate” surf attire on other forums, my experence began a decade ago using the force fin. This was a fin I was so excited about! I could increase my bottom time and cover a larger area with “less” effort. Now these fins were not adopted by most of the other divers and were scoffed at. However my production increased and I was less fatigued at the end of the day ( a day spent underwater for approx 6 - 7 hours max depth 45 feet picking eggs). I used these fins for some time. Being informed that no one on the westcoast would be caught dead in pair of these ( hardcore Vipers satandard issue) I tried a pair and what was to become a long trial period of “flex / propeller” vrs “blade” fins. Hey I’ll come right out and say it I use propeller fins now and think they are superior to “any” other type of fin out there. My fin experimentation would include going out with a different fin on each foot. Kicking with one then the other, and then swithching feet. What the F*ck i HAD huge quiver of fins! The propeller fins always won out. There are some issues for a user of these type of fins to understand. One is in itself like ridding a mat, LESS IS MORE. It is easy to over kick a prop fin and when that happens they feel like mush. Wen this would happen to me “damn should have been wearing the one of the other dozen pairs in my car”. Out of the water I would go strap a rubber plank on my feet and head out agan, instantly noticing how much more effort it was to swim out, and how ineffectice they (blade) would be in highly airated water for forward propulsion. Another factor is the learning curve. What learning curve you say? The trick is to keep your kicks within the diameter of your body “think flutter kick” and watch the water fly by with minimal effort. Another factor to consider is you do not NEED a pair of these to catch a wave they are expensive items. What you will find is on long swims will be much easier, takeoffs will feel effortles, you will have more energy and BE ABLE TO STAY OUT LONGER! Finally propeller fins are worn by all Urchin divers in this area ( New England) and have been wearing them for a couple of years. These are guys who do this for a living and are underwater athletes ----- a conformation such as this is all I need. I could go on and would love to but here it ends for me. Anyone who has questions feel free to contact me through this forum or personal e-mail. peter aka Barkingwave
I’m considering the purchase of a surfmat - after reading all of those > threads on the the subject, as well as the complete surfer thread, it > seems like it would be a nice way to round out chances to get some waves. > With a five hour round-trip drive, it would be nice to have something > that’s good in all conditions, if the waves aren’t suitable for a board. > Hey, can you bust sick air on one those mats? (just kidding)>>> The question is: has anyone out there used “neofins” - the ones > with the neoprene foot insert? I was wanting to get something that would > be suitable for both matting and bodysurfing. They look like they would be > comfortable, particularly for extended sessions. I was just wondering how > they would compare to other body surfing fins ( i.e. Churchill, Duck > Feet)in terms of thrust and overall use.>>> thanks, billa most comfortable fins in the world: http://www.midnightpass.com/neofthem.html ----- billa- IMHO the BEST fins in the world for speed, comfort, power, etc. remember that just because they were originally made for scuba diving, doesn
t mean they
re not incredible for prone surfing: http://www.apollosportsusa.com/biofin.html http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/fins2/review.shtml#apollo ----- do your own research: http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/fins2/#propeller http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/fins2/performance.shtml http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/2002gear/2002fins.shtml ----- listen up: “… bio-fins (split/propeller) are so efficient and easy to kick that many testers believed they were not going as fast as they actually were, due to not feeling the muscle strain they have learned to associate with producing power when using conventional paddle fins. But controlled course test runs consistently produced 20 to 40 percent better air consumption with the bio-fins than with the next best group.” (http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/fins2/review.shtml#apollo)
I tried a pair > and what was to become a long trial period of “flex / propeller” > vrs “blade” fins. Hey I’ll come right out and say it I use > propeller fins now and think they are superior to “any” other > type of fin out there. Are you recommending a “propeller fin” such as a Force Fin that loads up energy on the downstroke, or any fin with a central split to channel water release down the center instead of off the edges and tip? Are the scuba fins too big and powerful for swimming, mat riding and skin diving? It seems like scuba fins would be tuned for more weight and drag. Any specific fin recommendations for swimming and mats would be much appreciated. Thanks! Ride on, Dan
I tried a pair>>> Are you recommending a “propeller fin” such as a Force Fin that > loads up energy on the downstroke, or any fin with a central split to > channel water release down the center instead of off the edges and tip? > Are the scuba fins too big and powerful for swimming, mat riding and skin > diving? It seems like scuba fins would be tuned for more weight and drag. > Any specific fin recommendations for swimming and mats would be much > appreciated. Thanks!>>> Ride on, Dan Dan, What is being referred to is the split fin, or propeller fin (not the “Force fin”)… the current, overall top rated example, that all others are measured by: http://www.apollosportsusa.com/biofin.html (specifically the Bio fin “Pro”) Two references… George Greenough, at 5
-10" x 135 lbs./mat surfer, has at least 4 pairs of the Oceanic Vortex V-6 split fins, as well as many other types (old and new) ... much experimentation is ongoing, well outside the confines of the commercial "box" with tuned, carbon graphite blades that detach, etc. Peter Waitkun, at 6
-4" x 245 lbs./mat surfer, has also exhaustively experimented with a great many swimfins, and is very qualified to speak about them, as used for both professional diving and surfmat riding purposes. Dale
Before spending the money on split fins you might want to also check out what some experienced divers(both free and scuba) think of them:http://forums.deeperblue.net/showthread.php?s=df447bb2e35ce9fe48173870106674a4&threadid=22906 Fins are a source of much debate between divers. Take care. Patrick Shannon