Scubapro Seawing Nova Review

[tide]

Scubapro Seawing Nova Review
I couple of months ago I made a post about possible suggestions for new fins. Most part of the scubaboard users were literally split in between the jet and split ones but I did not feel moved by any of those and went a step ahead and decided to try the new Scubapro Seawing Nova – a new concept of hinged fins.

Now, understand that I am an avid diver doing an average of four to five dives in a week. I have finished my Divemaster and now on the way to my IDC but I am no specialist in equipment and this review is based only on my meandering experiences and personal preferences.

I bought a pair of Nova from MDA here on Guam and they sold for a little over $160. A salty price, you might think, but let me explain why the Nova where, what I consider, one of my best diving investments (I have used them for a period of two months and would like to share my impressions).

First Impressions
Right at the shop, handling the Nova from the shelf I could see the difference in between it and the rest of the fins on display. It felt extremely light, and when I say light it is feather like with the pair weighting a mere 4.6lbs (2.09Kg), lighter than a lot of normal work boots out there. The material they are made is also completely different from the average fin. It feels smooth to the touch and has a special coating that allows the water to freely flow through its surface and I believe reduces drag in the water (Scubapro’s website lists the material as Monprene).

Design and Construction
I wasn’t sure of what to expect from this hinged design fins but it simply looks good. It is futuristic and the blade portion resembles a Manta Ray gliding through the water – another note of the hydrodynamic characteristic of those fins. The foot pocket is extremely comfortable and once the foot is in it feels like you are wearing nothing.

The hinges are extremely well build and I think they will easily last a long time and the Monprene seems to protect it from scratches and tears - even when wearing the fins over rough surfaces.

Diving and in the water (Overall performance)
I have dived with these fins in the most diverse conditions, from calm and serene, pool like crevices, to current, surge and wave fighting beach dives. It has responded well in all situations, including against the current and surge, and all of that improving my speed, performance and air consumption.

Conclusion
As I said before, the Seawing Nova was one of the best investments I made in diving since my open water course.

 

[ScubaSam]

I had an opportunity to do one dive using the Seawing Nova this past weekend at Dutch Springs because I was in a demo Fusion drysuit and my SP Jet Fins did not fit the rock boots for the demo Fusion suit. I agree with OP that the foot pocket is extremely comfortable and very light.

I was at the student platform at 28'ish feet because it was a skills practice dive with some buddies who are taking Fundies in July. We worked on propulsion, S-drills and shooting SMB for the entire dive.

I found the Seawing Novas to be very easy on the knees when doing the flutter kick because the bend in the hinge lessens the pressure on the knees. I was able to do the frog kicks and the back kick in the Seawing Novas. Both kicks did not have the full power behind it that I normally get in my stiffer paddle SP Jet Fins.

The hinge system lessened the force of the propulsion in both kicks. I'm not saying you can't do the frog kick or the back kick in the Seawing Nova but the push in the water column is compromised by the hinge. I must stress again this is just one gal's humble opinion from using them for one practice skill dive.

 

[parzdiver]

I will agree with both posters points on these fins. I have them and like them very much. For travel they are very light weight, they are a bit of an odd shape, so you have to think about how to pack them. The bungee strap makes donning and doffing a breeze.

Their strength is in the flutter and scissor kick. If you want to move fast without a huge amount of stress on your knee and calf, these fins are great. I am able to do a decent frog kick and use that as my primary propulsion. I can't (yet) do a back-kick in any fin, so cannot comment on that.

As Sam said, on the frog kick they don't get quite as much power as a stiff blade fin. When I'm diving cold water in a dry suit, I have a pair of Hollis F1 fins. I purchased them partly because my dry boots don't fit my Seawings, but also to give me a heavy fin to keep my feet from being too floaty.

Would I recommend these fins to a friend? Yes.
Would I recommend them for all types of diving? No.

I believe in picking the right tool for the job and certain fins don't fit every dive profile.

 

[TSandM]

I've only used them in a pool, but I agree that they are very nice fins for flutter kicking -- and there is NOTHING wrong with the flutter kick! It's not the kick that's the problem we see -- it's the trim and the posture of the diver. Flutter kick IS used in caves, especially against flow, but it's done a little differently (and the Nova works just fine for that).

I found the frog kick required some modification of technique, but the back kick was easy.

I think they're overall nice fins, but very expensive, and totally unsuitable, due to their design, for any application involving line.

 

[parzdiver]

I've only used them in a pool, but I agree that they are very nice fins for flutter kicking -- and there is NOTHING wrong with the flutter kick! It's not the kick that's the problem we see -- it's the trim and the posture of the diver. Flutter kick IS used in caves, especially against flow, but it's done a little differently (and the Nova works just fine for that).

I found the frog kick required some modification of technique, but the back kick was easy.

I think they're overall nice fins, but very expensive, and totally unsuitable, due to their design, for any application involving line.

By unsuitable for line, do I correctly understand that it is because of the space with the hinge and the ridges on the hinge, a line could become caught or tangled in that space?

 

[Lepomis]

Looks like we're getting similar results on the Seawing Nova!

Here are the results that I got from testing them, along with some other fins for comparison:
My tests of 3 recent ScubaPro and AquaLung fins

DSAO -- with the right fins for you
Jim

 

[TSandM]

By unsuitable for line, do I correctly understand that it is because of the space with the hinge and the ridges on the hinge, a line could become caught or tangled in that space?

Yes. When working around line, you want everything as smooth as it can be, because line will catch in the smallest of spaces. And with fins, it's particularly bad, as it is hard to get your fin up to where you can untangle it without making the problem worse.

 

[mkgriesinger]

Looks like we're getting similar results on the Seawing Nova!

Here are the results that I got from testing them, along with some other fins for comparison:
My tests of 3 recent ScubaPro and AquaLung fins

DSAO -- with the right fins for you
Jim

WOW!!! Awesome review!

 

[rab1412000]

im looking to replacing my aps mantarays as they are too flimsy.
im considering this since its on sale on LP and the mares x-stream.
i wonder if anyone can comment and compare the two.

 

[BobC]

Thanks for the report tide. And thanks for giving the weight. That kind of info is hard to get for some reason and it is important if you have to travel to dive like I do. Do you happen to know the length and width of the fins? Are they small enough to pack easily?
Thanks again.
Bob