waterway glide vs. leaderfins hyper

[Fondueset]

Originally Posted by Evita

I got mine in November 2006 and already in December at the WC in Hurghada, Bogdan had brought a new version (slightly shorter blade and full corners). He said that he experimented with the glidefin all the time, and true enough, at Nordic Deep in August last year, I saw yet another version with the dealer there, but I can't tell you how it was different. Being a girl, I only remember that it had a different colour (blue, not pink) ;-) but from now on I will pay more attention to the different layering, position of foot pockets, shoulder reinforcement etc that this thread is bringing up. Interesting!

Interesting Evita; Your observations concerning your couch were both technically astute and detailed. Perhaps if you consider your monofin a type of sofa...

[Evita]

Right, thanks for turning my mind back to the home front. After reading the latest posts here I was beginning to think of the monofin as a car, and then I'm just lost...

[ADR]

Originally Posted by jome

Andy, how about sacrificing another fin for science? Cut out a large chunk in the middle in a v-shape and replace it with a flexible material, maybe reinforce the edges a little...Perhaps put a little split in there as well?

I'd do it if I had an extra fin

It's educated butchery rather than the science of the Luconet but maybe that's appropriately me . Consider it done this weekend and a report and pics to follow. That poor hybrid fin!

[laminar]

Andy, looking forward to your butchery!

I'm buying a Chen Bin. I'll keep you all posted on my purchasing process and how I find it. I had tried a Glide Fin for dynamic and recreational diving and found it interesting but not wonderful. But I'm really picky.

My interest in the Chen Bin fins came after seeing Guillaume's record dive and then I had a long talk with Will Winram a few weeks ago about his experience with different fins.

What I'm looking for is a good all around fin that I can take deep and that also functions well horizontally. I also prefer a monofin with a rounder shape on the leading edge for changing direction more quickly for recreational diving. And of course a fin that won't deform under a heavier load is also important. I haven't seen that so far. Will's deep dives with it were encouraging.

Here's someone testing a Chen Bin:

YouTube - Freediving monofin technique

(slow swim)

YouTube - A freediving test

(faster swim)

YouTube - Guillaume Nery World Record Free Dive

(Guillaume's WR)

Pete

[Mullins]

Andy - you could also stick some hyper-style footpockets on a MD1 blade and see what happens...? I've got a spare MD1 but I'm not keen on ripping the pockets off my Hyperfin just yet

Laminar - how customisable are Chen's fins, can you specify what angle you want, what material the 'wings' are etc?

[Fondueset]

Pete,

I'm pretty sure its of tremendous spiritual importance for you to get me one of those fins immediately.

Thanks in advance.

Fondueset

PS - hows the long wearing foot pocket comfort factor?

[laminar]

I will find out the answers to your questions if and when I hear back from the man himself. I'm hoping my Chinese fluency will help me get a deal... maybe they will add the secret ingredient to the fibreglass mix that will propel me to 300m in dynamic. (insert Chinese kung fu B movie sound effects here)

Fondueset - you can pay me back in the next life...

[cal]

Hi all

Originally Posted by Evita

I was about to say yep, that's the one we got... but it isn't. There are differences in the layering of the blade, the corners and the reinforcement between the footpockets, and probably more. See pic below. Ours are numbered 269, 270 and 271. Do you know which batch hers is from? Bogdan changes them all the time...

I just ordered my Glide about 7 Weeks ago. Last week it arrived and though I was very keen on testing it, I just had a short swim in the pool since I'm still on antibiotics . Mine has the serial number 556 but seems to be quite similar to yours. It's got a middle distance blade and I haven't yet noticed such a bendig. However I wasn't focusing on that. I Probably I will be able to have one take a look the next time.

The foot pockets fit quite well. I have a European 41-42 and went with the 290mm pocket size. It's impossible to get in without the help of water but I think my feet will get used to the pockets quite fast.

I was a little astound to see the Fin beeing delivered in a linen bag with some wood and cardboard protection. However the fin made its jurney without damge from the ukraine to switzerland.







The short experience was very pleasing and I can't wait to test it when I'm a little healthier .

Cheers

Michael

[Fondueset]

Of course. As ruler of the known universe I shall present you with your own solar system, seven squids and a monocle (quite fashionable in the future).

On the Chen Bin site - interesting bit about fast muscle contraction - called 'fa jing' in taiji. - difference between relaxation and tension = speed

[Fondueset]

Evita - I have been thinking - a car is basically a sofa that goes... It's possible you've found a key to understanding everything as an expression of the cosmic couch.

[ADR]

Hi Michael,
I'm willing to bet that with that blade that your Glide fin is great and there is little to no v-bend. I just dont get why a bunch of us got the other style of blade differing in shape and construction.....maybe Bogdan as solved it now. I hope he has as apart from one totally crap fin (WW Glide) all the other Waterway products I've bought over the years have been fantastic and I've bought a lot of them directly and indirectly. He is a good guy too. If he could add another 15degrees to the footpocket angle and use that blade all the time, i think he would have a fantastic product for freedivers

[ADR]

Evita - in some cases your sofa I'm sure performs better than some of the monofins we have seen.

[BennyB]

For what it's worth, i've always said that my Hyperfin felt softer than my old Kershkov, even though they're supposed to be about the same stiffness. I've never had them in the same room together (kershkov is still at the mono doctor) so can't really comment on the shape. The fiberglass finish is different on each blade, as it is with Old Style Hyperfin vs New Style Hyperfin.

Pete - looks like Will W has worked his mojo on both of us, after talking a lot with him about Chen Bins in 2006 and throughout 2007 i'm convinced that i'll get one for my next fin. Trouble is it'll have to wait until i'm back in Oz as I can't imagine how much it'll cost me to get a fin couriered from China to England then 4 fins couriered from England to Australia! It'll have to go on the wish list along with the C4 Mustangs, new laptop and the plasma telly...

[ADR]

I took the power tools to my monofin again yesterday and the initial results were not good. I cut a narrow V slot in the fin and it now v-bends whereas before this fin did not. I of course have a theory as to why and plan to cut a much bigger slot and try again. Following that I'll attach a thin rubber sheet across the gap.

[Mullins]

Note to self: never lend Andy your monofin