Blade angle > 24 degrees - anybody tried one?

[Fondueset]

I'd like to gather input from anyone who has actually used a fin with a high blade angle. - Pictures of the fin would be helpful too.

 

[Mullins]

My glide is slightly less than 30, maybe 28? I'd prefer 30, but streamlining is pretty close to ideal. I don't lack power for constant weight but do find I need to use my core more. Lower profile with less leg bend means you can get away with a softer fin, mine's a WW #2.

 

[MikkoP]

I have a WW glide with about 30 degree angle too. The big angle works very well and everyone who has tried the fin has told it feels better than the currently more usual angles of 15-20 degrees, even if they have fairly flexible ankles already. My ankles are pretty inflexible, so I could use even 35 degrees or more.

 

[ericvrp]

I have a WW glide stiffness #2 as well which should be 30 degrees but it actually is a few degrees less. When I fully streamline the tip of my fin is about 5-10cm away from an ideal streamline. Fins from some of my buddies that should have the same specs actually have a bit more angle. I tried contacting Bogdan about this a few times but now he simply chooses to no longer reply to my emails. I would like a fin with more angle too, 35 degrees sounds about right.

Did any ever asked Bogdan if he can make these?

@Mikko: what stiffness does your fin have and is that about right for you?

 

[MikkoP]

My fin is #2 as well and it feels good, not too soft. The footpocket size is 330mm (finswimming sizing, not freediving) and it fits 43-44 (270mm) feet pretty nicely.

 

[Fondueset]

I have passed your impression on to Tropol for consideration in their new freediving fin - the M4f.

Anything else added to this thread will help with the design - so feel free!

 

[ericvrp]

@MikkoP: I received my new Waterway Glide fin. It's a #3 stiffness but a rather soft one. Very close to the #2 I had before. The footpocket angle is what Bogdan from WW (Finswimworld.com) calls 35 degrees. My ankles are inflexable too and stretching for two year gave me more problems that benefits. With this angle the fin is horizontal when I keep my ankles and legs straight. Most people only need a 30 degrees angle for that!

I absolutely love this new fin!

Eric

 

[Fondueset]

I just switched from my Tropol M4 to my Triton - after about 9 months - which has about 25 degrees and is much softer.

What I noticed straight off was less power on the backstroke such that I tended to arch my back more looking for it. It took a couple hours of feeling discombobulated for my body to slot into the wave with this fin - which places more emphasis on the frontstroke. I definitely like the softer blade for dynamics, as well as the angle - though the latter is not a huge difference for me. The only downside is its easier to get sloppy with this kind of blade angle. On balance I think its a good idea but I wonder about drag/turbulence like we saw with the lunocet) as you get to 30+ degrees.

 

[Mullins]

Surely the turbulence you got from the lunocet was related to the assortment of springs, levers, flanges, sprockets, widgets and tuning forks protruding from it rather than the blade angle?

 

[Fondueset]

No doubt. Plus the narrower blade is more prone to being disrupted by turbulence.

 

[titan]

I would like to try a smaller blade stiff blade like the one of lunocet with normal monofin glide footpockets
anyone had the chance to try something like that?!?!?!

 

[Fondueset]

I actually have a lunocet and plan to do that at some point - I was thinking to attach it to a fiberglass plate that would fit the c4 mustang pockets.

 

[MikkoP]

Thanks for the info, Eric!

Sounds like a good fin, I'll most likely get something like that next. Is it more buoyant than the 30 degree one?

 

[ericvrp]

They are about as buoyant. If anything, I think in the pool my fin is a little heavier.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[ericvrp]

This is a movie of me doing a slooow 200 meter dynamic with my new WW Glide with 35 degrees angle.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKWnKV2KPDs]YouTube - Eric van Riet Paap - 200 meter dynamic freediving (NR)[/ame]

 

[Fondueset]

I hate people who can do 200 meter dynamics.

Interesting that you do an armstroke. I've thought about trying that and usually do one just before the turn (I only do 50 meter dynamics in the public pool I practice in - don't have a spotter and don't want to freak out the lifeguards)
What are your thoughts on doing it that way?

 

[ericvrp]

When my fin had less angle I did not like swimming with a hollow back (might not be correct english) because the front of my body would tense up. I noticed that I could relax much better with arms down. I also like the distribution of energy. I am training kick-kick-glide and continuous stroke too and the dives are shorter but my relaxation was much worse. With this fin I will reevaluate this. I think I will eventually end up with this style with armstrokes for the first 100-150 meters followed by a (much) faster (kick-kick-glide) 2nd part when vasoconstriction has fully kicked in.

Eric

 

[Fondueset]

Interesting. In my pool I am mostly under other swimmers - with no weight - so I have focused more on technique than conserving energy. But when I have a lane to myself I have begun to work on relaxing deeply - which is really the most interesting part

I enjoyed reading your blog - quite interesting and useful!