Gara Pro - This is it

[osusim]

After inspection before my training I found BOTH fins from BOTH sides were broken at the bottom of foot pocket. So, "After 3 years of design and 2 years of extensive testing" Cressi made a real bullshit.
I use the fins about 1.5 year in the pool only. Now fins cannot carry on the stress during swimming. Most likely cracks will makes junction and a foot pocket will cut off from a blade.
see photos

 

[osusim]

And some statistic: fins were used about 110 times only, including 8 competition performance (one 16x50m) with totally about 60 km underwater swimming. Really nothing to compare with speed fins swimmer who are making for training 10-15 km per week. :crutch

 

[strangelove]

Thanks for sharing !

 

[spaghetti]

Ouch Osusim, that's disturbing indeed after "3 years of design and intensive testing", as Cressi claims....

I'm unable to say if your misadventure is due to a structural defect of the project, or if it's just a singular sample of defective fins, as it happens with mass produced items.

I checked the "Ask Cressi" forum on Apnea Magazine, where customers forward their feedback and complaints to Cressi technical panel, and I can't find any other case like yours with Gara Pro structural failure: not a single one.

Here it is, in italian languiage, but you can easily check there's no breaking issue on Gara Pro reported on dozens and dozens of claims and questions:
AM FORUMS -> CRESSI

Have you tried to claim the warranty?

 

[osusim]

If you band a GPro fin by holding ends the broken place is under maximum stress. I guess this is a design defect.
What kind of warranty Cressi provides world wide? Life?

 

[spaghetti]

It must be the regular EU 2 years warranty.
If your fins are 1 year and a half old as you posted, you may claim the warranty, but you must still have the invoice/bill from the shop, otherwise the warranty is void.
I have always hated this warranty condition: I myself don't usually keep invoices or store bills, cause i don't expect things to get broken, but sometimes they do and so it goes.
I can only give you my solidarity for the incident and for what comes after it.
Friendly,
Spago

 

[osusim]

Thank you spaghetti.
At last I found return receipt from fins (which was in very secure place) and return them to the shop. Cressi admitted design problem of the Pro and promised to send a new one. When, is a big question. I've been already 2 month without working fins. And I advice to everybody do not buy a second hand Pro.

 

[osusim]

4 weeks after return I've got new fins. Let see how strong are they ...

 

[spaghetti]

Careful now! :t

 

[ncunuclear718]

4 weeks after return I've got new fins. Let see how strong are they ...

Dear osusim：

is that structural failure again ?

 

[osusim]

With my lazy style I don't expect any structural failure during at list a year.

 

[osusim]

Unfortunately I found one of fin was broken again. :rcard

 

[ncunuclear718]

the same position ?

 

[osusim]

Yes, same place.

 

[fcallagy]

Jeez thats bad Osusim pity I have a good bit of cressi gear including gara fins that have been bullet proof over the years same for my mask and suit. It must be a flaw as the fin meets the pocket differently than on any of the garas.