Sorry for the long silence. I have been at work although not in "complete isolation". The lunocet is scheduled for a tour of Europe next month. I am meeting with several world record holding finswimmers for detailed evaluation of the current design. Many miles of hydrotouring, 5 more prototypes, and six very expensive molds later, I am finally happy to say we're there!
Here is what a customer recently wrote:
Dear Ted,
The shoes arrived Wednesday, I put the fins together Thursday & I played sick and went diving today(Friday)!
I cannot express how blown away I am by your fins! I am 57. My father taught me to freedive when I was 5 and
it is not an exaggeration to say that I am way more at home in the water than I am on land. I have dozens of
different fins and have been using the large Finis monofin for over 15 years. I can dive to 120-130 feet but your
fin just changed my life! I only spent 3 hours or so in the water this morning. I only made shallow dives of 80 ft or so
but what a difference! I didn't really challenge myself because I haven't really done much diving the last 8 months-
mostly because I wanted to wait for your fin! The first thing that really impressed me was the CONTROL! It took me
a long time to learn to get the precision with my Finis that I have with my other freediving fins. Your fins respond to
the merest flick and gave me instant, precise control! AWESOME!! As I spent more time in the water I became aware
of something else. With a big monofin you have to use your whole body and continually thrust yourself forward. This
can be very exhausting until you get used to it. The Lunocet is a precise instrument; rather than a whole body thrust,
it's like you send pulses of energy down your body to your tail. This is WAY less demanding and requires a total different
mind set. When you get into it, it is far more natural and not as tiring. I used the 'strong' spring and don't think I'll ever have
to switch even when I start back in on my customary 6-8 hour dives. The whole thing is so fluid and natural-it's off the hook!
The comfort and naturalness are truly remarkable. Finis have to be REALLY tight, which is also energy draining, but because
of the cycling shoes there is none of that with the Lunocet. They are so comfortable it does really feel like you've grown a
fin! Since I live in Hawaii, when I dive from shore I usually go into the water from cliffs or rocky areas which usually demands
you jump in and put your equipment on in the water. At first I was somewhat skeptical of how this would work with the Lunocet
but when I got to the shore I realized I was freaking about nothing! I just jumped in from about 15 feet and your fins went on
far easier than my old monofins! Another realization struck me in the water...your fins will be TOTALLY useful for spearfishing.
Because traditional monofins require so much whole body effort I usually switch to normal long freediving fins when I want to
go hunting. Lunocets are so sensitive and precise I know I will never have to switch again. I hope you 'get' how insanely STOKED
I am! I felt like I got ZAPPED by Jesus in the water! I used to work with Buckminster Fuller and even knew Frank Lloyd Wright,
I know with total certainty that Bucky would have enjoyed spending hours talking shop with you. Your design skills are really
remarkable. While it has been a long year I have come to know you a little and am truly deeply impressed with what you've
accomplished. I hope your submarine project is as off the hook as your other endeavors!
Your Friend,
Scott Boxold
ps-I saw you added a Blog to your website. If you want to use any or all of this letter as a testimonial, I would be very
pleased and honored. I am a born again Lunocetarian!
pss-Today was actually my Birthday, how cool is that!? Thanks for the awesome gift!
Here is what a customer recently wrote:
Dear Ted,
The shoes arrived Wednesday, I put the fins together Thursday & I played sick and went diving today(Friday)!
I cannot express how blown away I am by your fins! I am 57. My father taught me to freedive when I was 5 and
it is not an exaggeration to say that I am way more at home in the water than I am on land. I have dozens of
different fins and have been using the large Finis monofin for over 15 years. I can dive to 120-130 feet but your
fin just changed my life! I only spent 3 hours or so in the water this morning. I only made shallow dives of 80 ft or so
but what a difference! I didn't really challenge myself because I haven't really done much diving the last 8 months-
mostly because I wanted to wait for your fin! The first thing that really impressed me was the CONTROL! It took me
a long time to learn to get the precision with my Finis that I have with my other freediving fins. Your fins respond to
the merest flick and gave me instant, precise control! AWESOME!! As I spent more time in the water I became aware
of something else. With a big monofin you have to use your whole body and continually thrust yourself forward. This
can be very exhausting until you get used to it. The Lunocet is a precise instrument; rather than a whole body thrust,
it's like you send pulses of energy down your body to your tail. This is WAY less demanding and requires a total different
mind set. When you get into it, it is far more natural and not as tiring. I used the 'strong' spring and don't think I'll ever have
to switch even when I start back in on my customary 6-8 hour dives. The whole thing is so fluid and natural-it's off the hook!
The comfort and naturalness are truly remarkable. Finis have to be REALLY tight, which is also energy draining, but because
of the cycling shoes there is none of that with the Lunocet. They are so comfortable it does really feel like you've grown a
fin! Since I live in Hawaii, when I dive from shore I usually go into the water from cliffs or rocky areas which usually demands
you jump in and put your equipment on in the water. At first I was somewhat skeptical of how this would work with the Lunocet
but when I got to the shore I realized I was freaking about nothing! I just jumped in from about 15 feet and your fins went on
far easier than my old monofins! Another realization struck me in the water...your fins will be TOTALLY useful for spearfishing.
Because traditional monofins require so much whole body effort I usually switch to normal long freediving fins when I want to
go hunting. Lunocets are so sensitive and precise I know I will never have to switch again. I hope you 'get' how insanely STOKED
I am! I felt like I got ZAPPED by Jesus in the water! I used to work with Buckminster Fuller and even knew Frank Lloyd Wright,
I know with total certainty that Bucky would have enjoyed spending hours talking shop with you. Your design skills are really
remarkable. While it has been a long year I have come to know you a little and am truly deeply impressed with what you've
accomplished. I hope your submarine project is as off the hook as your other endeavors!
Your Friend,
Scott Boxold
ps-I saw you added a Blog to your website. If you want to use any or all of this letter as a testimonial, I would be very
pleased and honored. I am a born again Lunocetarian!
pss-Today was actually my Birthday, how cool is that!? Thanks for the awesome gift!