Collection of weird fins

[trux]

Ah, I forgot to add the pictures of ShinFins to the thread- so here they are (thanks sickbugs for the find!)

 

[trux]

OK, as posted in the [ame="http://forums.deeperblue.net/showthread.php?t=68500"]News[/ame], I am adding the Mor-Fins too:

 

[trux]

As Jon reported, there are unusual monofins on a Japanese website. The first one was made in glassfiber, but according to the author, it was made too hard, and finally he broke it. The second one uses carbon fiber, and it looks like the author was quite satisfied with it.

 

[Lockedin]

I've been using a set of Force Fin adjustables (pics to come!) for SCUBA. For SCUBA, they are incredible! They didn't feel like they were working, until I noticed that my buddy (on Apollo Split Fins) was waaay behind, and kicking like mad to keep up! At the end of the dive, we noted that I had 1200 pounds in my tank, while he was pushing 700. To test, we swapped fins on the second dive - now he doesn't want to give them back!

Here's the odd part: they SUCK OUT LOUD for snorkeling / hunting / freediving! They are terrible on the surface, and the modified kick that makes them work seems to decrease my bottom time, and scare fish away

Very cool thread

 

[trux]

Yes, Forcefins are in the top thread too. I did not attach photos of all models they sell, because the number of images per post is limited, and because they look all similar, but it is true that they have at least seven different models.

 

[wet]

Trux, have you come across any hand-fins made for divers with leg disabilities?
Seems like the water-wings would work for a diver with paralysed legs, or perhaps big webbed gloves? I was just wondering if there are any long-fins for the hands, or even strapped to the fore-arms (for those with weak wrists).
DDeden

 

[trux]

DDeden, check out the Liquix H2O Speedfins shown at the top post - algthough I think they were not developed for partially disabled persons, they might work for this purpose.

 

[wet]

DDeden, check out the Liquix H2O Speedfins shown at the top post - algthough I think they were not developed for partially disabled persons, they might work for this purpose.

I missed seeing those earlier, that's exactly what I was thinking about! They would allow a more powerful stroke, (many wheelchair-bound folks have strong arms, but some have poor wrist action). Thanks Trux!
DDeden

 

[trux]

I contacted once the inventor - unfortunately he did not have any pairs for sale (the pictures are of prototypes). I think he never managed to find a manufacturer or investor to start the production, but you can try contacting him too - if he sees the interest, and the possibilities in the market for partially disabled people, it may help him to get the production started.

 

[mgm]

Never heard about breaststrokes fins. is it a joke, or are these fins usable?

 

[trux]

Thanks, nice catch! I am just adding a link to the manufacturer product page (Speedo). I wonder too how they'd perform for dynamic apnea.

 

[Ol Dirty Diver]

I was recently looking at C4's website, and noticed the other part of their site devoted to their carbon bike frames (I'm a cyclist/triathlete; to anyone in Europe: have you ever used/seen these C4 frames?). I was reminded of another company that uses its advanced technology to manufacture drastically different types of products. The Zero Gravity brakes for road bikes are the lightest that exist, and definitely the most aesthetically-pleasing. Interestingly, Zero Gravity (or "Ciamillo") is also apparently working on a "biomimetic propulsion" device that looks awfully neat. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find any other information about the project, and I suspect it was abandoned. What's weird is that a Google search for "lunocet" turned up a profile on DeeperBlue belonging to "zerog", which must be short for Zero Gravity. I'm going to contact Zero Gravity soon to find out more...

Kurt
http://www.myspace.com/oldirtysurfer

 

[sanso]

I think I found another pair for the collection

They are admittedly not as weird as some of the others around here...
It seems they're made for something called belly-boat-fishing - that at least does count for some weirdness, right?

 

[trux]

Thanks Kurt and Sanso for your contibutions!

The Zero Gravity monofin looks awesome. Kurt, if you get any answer from the company, please let us know more details!

PS: could you post links to the original pages for both product?

EDIT: Well, I found the Lunocet pic on the zerogravity website:
http://zerogravitybike.com/gui/flash_movies/lunocet.html

 

[trux]

I found the Lunocet monofin mentioned in another document, together with another photo (very low quality):

http://darwin.wcupa.edu/~biology/fish/pubs/pdf/2006ABBLimits.pdf

It is on page number 55 (7th page in the PDF). The design comes from Ted Ciamillo, who is also member of DB under the alias [ame="http://forums.deeperblue.net/member.php?u=915"]View Profile: Ciamillo@@AMEPARAM@@View Profile: Ciamillo</title>@@AMEPARAM@@Ciamillo[/ame]. A more detailed profile of Ted can be found at Coroflot and there are also photos of some of his other inventions: a submarine, anti-shark gun, etc.

Unfortunately, many links related to Ciamillo are dead. So not only the www.lunocet.com, but also his website
www.ciamillo.com are defunct resp. squatted. I hope Ted is doing fine, though. An old version of the ciamillo.com can be found at Archive.org, but does not show any interesting info. There are no records of Lunocet.com at Archive.com.

 

[marginatus]

i want one of those!!!!!

 

[mindset]

Great thread...trux, you seem to have seen it all..I remember coming across somewhere unusual 'assymetrical' long fins with one of the edges longer on each fin- but for the life of me I can't find them anymore. Anyone knows them and can post a link ? I was thinking of modifying a pair of old, damaged H.D. Sporasubs by shaping the ends in a similar assymetrical way ( longer on the outside and shorter in - does this sound familair to anyone) as an experiment in minimizing side wobble and increasing stability/comfort.

 

[Pocoshower]

I found this fins today at the flea market. No brand at all in any place but they have a "cobra" figure in the top side.

Carlos

 

[trux]

These are Force Fins (listed above too)

 

[iceselkie]