I have just begun riding a surf mat. I tried using Churchill fins, but they don’t seem to give me the push I need. Are there any fins that are better or is there a dropping in technique that I need to know about that will enable me to catch waves easier?
I used to ride surfmats many years ago in Newport Beach. We mostly used Duck Feet by Voit. Now I hear that the Viper by Pacific South Swell is the best. When I had a hard time dropping in I would hold the mat with my arms stretched out as far as I could making my body and the mat as long as possible. Its the same principle as a longboard’s extra hull length making it easier to drop in.
-David
Arms for paddling?
Got skinny legs, and cut down my Churchill’s, about 3" off the long side.
Strange, for spearfishing, I used UDT Ducks, the second most powerful fin availible.
PJD, have you seen the matriding site at http://groups.msn.com/InflateAbleDreamSpeed? There has been a fair amount of discussion about fins. Greg Deets has come up with the Voit UDTs, a larger version of the old Duckfeet and different flex. They’re pretty great and I tend to use them most often. I also have some longer split fins like the divers wear, and I like them too, especially on large days at long points where you have to cover a lot of ground for long sessions.
The good news is that there are some great choices out there these days.
While Dale is the expert on this, I’ll throw this in:
The new UDT Duck Feet Greg Deets is making, with some well thought out use of different rubber compounds ( see http://photothru.com/photo_filedb1/A5/E7/E4/A5E7E4/viewable/A5E7E4_131C9C32AA6C_2.jpg ) are the way to go.
I have some older, similar UDTs with a harder rubber in the foot pocket than in the fin blades that are just plain powerful. I won’t use anything else.
See http://www.swaylocks.com/cgi-bin/discussion/archive.cgi/read/42823 and search the Archives for ‘UDT’, you’ll find quite a lot.
hope that’s of use
doc…
I also have a couple pairs of the Duckfeet UDTs. One pair is older and one pair is the new compound from Professor Deets. Dale has posted some photos of cutdown versions. Apparently, some folks consider the fins out of the box to be merely “blanks” to cut down and customize. I’ve used mine as is. My weakest link is lack of leg power.
after trying different fins, i have found the udt’s as developed by Deets are the best, for me anyway.another mat expert, Paul gross, was really stoked when he saw them-raved about how much power they had,etc.
I’m with you there, John. I’m a surfer first, and have legs of spiders.
My first UDT’s came in 1966, and they were BIG, powerful, ONE surface dive took me down 12’ easily!
But my brother’s US Divers Aqua Pro’s were another dimension of power, twice the stiffness and the same size, but recurved…cramp city for me, but I was 5’5" and 110 lbs. then.
Funny, I started surfing in '65 (with my own gear), and didn’t try boogie boarding until 1997.
The question posed seems practically loaded as the answer is clear: get some UDTs.
They are superior to the other fins that I have tried over the years, which were: churchills, toobs bluntcuts, short vipers, and long vipers (long blade v-7s, which are great fins)
good surfing to you.
While this may not be a great answer, it might have some use for the original question.
I was a diver before I ever took on a paipo or kneeboard. Big-bladed fins were what I used, got used to and learned to use efficiently - tried the Churchills once and it felt the same as no fins at all, gave 'em back when I got in.
But if you want to get the maximum power out of the UDTs, you have to have them in the water, not kicking and flailing on the surface as I see so may bodyboard guys doing. If the fins are never out of the water on any stage of the kick, that’s when you really get thrust from all the leg power you’re putting out. Otherwise, you’re spinning your wheels, as it were.
Now, how to get that power in the first place? A few ways, like biking to work, running up and down stairs and ladders all day ( ah, the joys of finish carpentry ) , walking rather than driving. When you’re pushing off with your toes, like when you use a bicycle with toe clips or climb a ladder or run up stairs ( carrying wood or tool boxes or a small air compressor up the &^%$ stairs is optional and not particularly recommended…at least, I’m not all that wild about it ) - those all develop the muscles you need to really drive fins hard. If you like rowing sculls, those 25’ long and 12" wide things with sliding seats and oarlocks on outriggers, you’re laughing, 'cos those are the leg conditioner par excellence.
Hmm… I think I remember the Aqua Pros…were they kinda like a set of UDT or Duck Feet blades in a full-foot pocket type fin? I think I had some of those too. Much power but so stiff they almost clanged while the foot pocket and such were very soft, almost comfy rubber. Cramp city is right. The flexy blade, hard foot pocket ( Fin socks are Real Good with 'em ) new UDTs are sooo much different - try some if you get a chance.
Have fun
doc…
Here is a link to Dale’s “Inflate-Able-Dreams” site showing the photos of the Greenough UDT mods…
http://groups.msn.com/InflateAbleDreamSpeed/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=83
PJD- what kind of mat? I want to get one before summer.
I know this is a little off topic for this forum, but thinking of ordering some V-7 (longer) viper fins for bodysurfing, anyone used them?
ParkerDavidson,
I got my mat from Paul Gross.
PJD- how can I contact him? What`s his mat business name or website? What surf shops sell his mats? How much, etc?Thanks.
Hi PJD,
Blunt, less powerful fins (as Churchills) are fine for shorter paddling/surfing distances, weaker currents and quick take-offs.
Those persons with wide, oddly shaped or diabetic/sensitive feet may benefit from a very comfortable, adjustable, moderately powerful fin such as the Sport Fin by Neofin.
But for quality of rubber, as well as an efficient blend of maximum power and quickness, the new Voit UDTs are remarkable. They can also be customized to further improve performance and fit.
As for factors inhibiting drop-in technique… aside from swimfins and technique, the most obvious problem is a surf mat that`s simply not designed for the rider. That could mean poor overall structure, materials, dimensions and/or buoyancy.
With a good pair of fins, a well-designed surf mat, adequate physical conditioning and the right technique, it`s often possible to catch and accelerate along choppy, unbroken swells… even beyond the reach of most longboarders.
… all that and a lot of practice. Have fun!
to keep the thread alive…
hello all…i have returned; currently dripping wet from a no-wetsuit 1-hour, 4-5 foot, looooooooooow-tide closed out session in beautiful glassy gaping heaving tubes in 67 degree water, 94 degree air, in el segundo
anyway… a slightly softer higher - cadence gum rubber brown and green udt duck foot is on the immediate horizon (marbled of course)
for very very quick swimming and for those with ankle pains (i am in month 3 of a pretty bad event in my left ankle - still big pain)
anywhooooooooo
all things evolve
will the triscuit ever appear…
that is the question
Hi UDeeTs,
“will the triscuit ever appear… that is the question”
Yes! 2 Neu Triscuits will fly south toward El Segundo on Friday, May 28th.
Requesting your forgiveness for my long delay.
Dale
Mr. Deets,
Sorry to hear about the ankle.
Glad to hear of your good session.
I swam for one of the bigger sets underwater yesterday and missed it, but opened my eyes underwater to see the cylinder reel off without me, green with the rising sun through it, I surfaced with a huge grin.
Take care,
run
hey everyone
calling me just greg is a-ok!
greg