On Friday, February 21, 2003 10:08 AM, Lee Bell wrote:

(snip)
> > Some fins - regardless of the diver's skill and ability to adapt their
> > finniing technique - are ill-suited to certain types of conditions or
> > kicking styles.  Face-down on the surface (as when snorkelling or
swimming
> > back to a boat), for example, or frog-kicks?  :-)

> I'm inclined to agree.  Personally, I can't stand Jet fins or, for that
> matter, any vented fin.

Lee!!!! Go wash your mouth out with soap and water.  :-))))))

Them they Jetfins are the finest fing's wot divers kood ever have on their
feet!  'Sides which, they're so heavy that when you whack a person around
the back of the head with one they, (the person) suddenly come around to
whatever point of view you - the thumpee - has on life, or the world view!
:-)))

Having said that, they're not the nicest looking of things but they just
keep on keeping on.  (I've switched back to a pair that I've had for nigh on
thirty years and the bloody things won't wear out!  And even when they do,
I've got two or three more back up pairs!!)  :-)))

Strike




 They simply do not work right for me.  They
> obviously aren't as bad as I consider them.  If they were, nobody would be
> using them.  I suspect that they don't work for me mostly because I don't
> get the feedback that my prefered fins offer.  I have a story to offer in
> way of explanation.
>
> I used to drive motorcycles.  As a former racer, I have a strong believe
in
> the value of protective gear, specifically helmets.  When I toured the
> country on one, I passed through Texas, one of the states that did not
> require helmets.  I figured I was good enough to be safe, so what the
heck,
> let the wind blow through my blond locks (that was before I turned largely
> gray).  At any rate, a few minutes later, I noticed my motorcycle was not
> handling right.  Something was definitely wrong.  I might be good, but no
> amount of skill will make up for a malfunction at high speed.  Better put
my
> helmet back on.  Properly atirred once again, my motorcycle performed
> perfectly.  Hmmm, said I, I wonder.  Helmet off, sure enough, the bike
> didn't perform right.  Helmet on, it was fine.  It didn't take a lot to
> realize that my skills included being acutely aware of everything that was
> going on around me.  Feedback of all kinds contributed to my ability to
> drive safely and, as it turned out, the noise and feel of wind were a big
> factor in how I drove.  The same is true of fins.
>
> Could I get used to it?  Sure.  Should I, well, I don't think so.  I
simply
> have no need.  I'm happy with what I have.
>
> BTW, my Mares Quatro Power fins are, according to Mares, their version of
a
> freediving fin.  They are longer and wider than my TRE fins.  They are
also
> exceptionally poor for swimming on the surface.
>
> So, back to my original statement.  A lot depends on the diver, some
depends
> on the fins . . . i.e. I agree with you.
>
> Lee
>