Basic gear from mid-twentieth-century Spain: Nemrod

[David Wilson]

Modelo H fins were also introduced in 1955.

Spanish: "Par de aletas natación modelo "H". Sistema sin tiras que cubre todo el pie dejando descubiertos los dedos. De trazado oblícuo que hace imposible los calambres. Se suministra en 5 tamaños correspondientes a calzado números".
Rough translation: "Pair of Modelo "H" swimming fins. Strapless system that covers the entire foot, leaving the toes uncovered. Oblique layout that makes cramps impossible. Supplied in 5 fittings corresponding to shoe sizes".

1957

The caption draws attention to the Modelo H's very modern design with its oblique blade tips.

1959

So Nemrod's first full-foot fin, complete with toe opening for comfort. The design bears a strong resemblance to the world's first closed-heel fin, Luigi Ferrari's Italian-made Cressi Rondine, differing only in the asymmetrical blade tips. The Modelo H also came in a child's size (infantil).

The Modelo H later became available with symmetrical blades:

The concave blade tip was the not the only symmetrical version:

Perhaps Nemrod wanted distance themselves from the original Cressi Rondine design, which was patented.

We shall turn to Nemrod Modelo D and Modelo E swim fins midweek. Stay warm, safe and well.

 

[David Wilson]

Thanks for the likes, jale, Angelo and Luis.

Now for Nemrod Modelo D and Modelo E fins. The Modelo D in 1955:

The caption indicates that these fins are designed for younger people.

A fuller description from the 1950s:

Spanish: "Mod. 2026 - Aletas ajustables par tira graduable talonera abierto, en tamaño proprio para señorita o cadete. Tallas 34 al 39".
Rough translation: "Mod. 2026 - Adjustable open heelstrap fins, in appropriate fittings for young males or females. Sizes 34 to 39".

So an adjustable open-heel fin with symmetrical blade designed for the younger generation, both male and female.

Other Modelo D imagery:

 

[David Wilson]

And now for Nemrod Modelo E fins. These fins in 1955:

The caption stipulates that these fins are designed for 4- to 9-year-old children. Another catalogue entry from the 1950s:

Spanish: "Mod. 2047 - Aletas de talonera abierto, muy cómodas, para niños de 4 a 9 años".
Rough translation: "Mod. 2047 - Open heel fins, very comfortable, for children from 4 to 9 years old".

1960:

The title confirms that the fins are designed for children. So adjustable open-heel fins for youngsters' growing feet, with blades corrugated on the top side for power and with extended heel platforms to protect the soles of the feet in stony beaches.

Other Modelo E imagery:

We shall review Nemrod Modelo G and Modelo I fins at the weekend. In the meantime, stay safe, well and warm.

 

[David Wilson]

Thanks for the likes, jale, Angelo and Luis.

Now Nemrod Modelo G and Modelo I fins. The former in 1955:

Spanish: "Par de aletas natación modelo "G". Sistema sin tiras que cubre todo el pie. Se suministran en cuatro tamaños correspondientes a calzado nûmeros: PS/2063 nos. 34, 35, 36; PS/2049 nos. 37, 38, 39; PS/2050 nos. 40, 41, 42; PS/2051 nos. 43, 44, 45".
Rough translation: "Pair of Modelo "G" swimming fins. Strapless system that covers the entire foot. They are supplied in four sizes corresponding to shoe sizes: PS/2063 nos. 34, 35, 36; PS/2049 nos. 37, 38, 39; PS/2050 nos. 40, 41, 42; PS/2051 nos. 43, 44, 45".

1950s

The caption describes the "Sevilla type" Modelo G fins as "closed-heel" and as an elegant model covering the whole feet and available in sizes 40/42 and 43/45 for men and 34/36 and 37/39 for youngsters.

1960

So a full-foot fin that came with adult and child fittings. Note the absence of toe opening and the straight (not offset) blade with corrugations and undulating tip. This design may have been intended to get around the Ferraro patent for the Cressi Rondine fin. Note too "Sevilla", which will be the future product name after the abandonment of the "Modelo G" moniker, more anon.

Further Modelo G imagery:

 

[David Wilson]

Now for the Nemrod Modelo I fins, which may have made their début in 1959:

Spanish: "21. Aletas modelo I, señorita, goma amarilla".
Rough translation: "Modelo I fins for young ladies, yellow rubber".

1960

An open-heel fin, therefore, fitted with an adjustable heel strap and an extended footplate. The blade has side rails with one centre rib on the top and two ribs on the bottom for reinforcement. The extension of the sole beneath the heel would have provided extra protection on the stony beaches of the Mediterranean. The yellow colour might have been a safety feature; Dunlop in the UK and US Divers States-side brought out yellow diving gear in the late 1950s for that reason:

More to come midweek when we shall tackle the Nemrod Super-A and Sevilla model fins. Until then, keep safe, warm and well.

 

[David Wilson]

Thank you for the likes, Angelo and Jale.

Now for the Nemrod Super-A and Sevilla model fins. The Super-A in 1959:

1960

1962

The image above is from an American diving manual, confirming that Nemrod Super-A fins were imported States-side by Seamless in the early 1960s. So the Super-A is an asymmetrical fin with full foot coverage and without a toe opening.

More Super-A imagery:

 

[David Wilson]

Nemrod Sevilla fins are named after Seville (above), the capital and largest city of the Spanish autonomous community of Andalusia and the province of Seville. It is situated on the lower reaches of the River Guadalquivir, in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula.

These fins began life as Nemrod Modelo G fins, which we recently reviewed. Here they are in 1960:

They too were imported to the USA, appearing in an early 1960s diving manual:

Here they are being used during a scuba lesson States-side:

So another full-foot fin, this time a symmetrical one, with a blade ribbed for reinforcement top and bottom. Like the Super-A, no toe opening, residual water inside being released via a drain hole on the top of the foot pocket.

More Nemrod Sevilla imagery:

The last image an open-heel model launched later by Nemrod.

I shall be back at the weekend to review Nemrod Modelo F (Capri) and Modelo C fins. Until then, keep safe, warm and well.

 

[David Wilson]

Thanks for the likes, Angelo, Luis, Jale and Iowwall.

Now for the Nemrod Modelo F (Capri) and Modelo C fins. Modelo F fins made their début in the late 1950s, when they were already known by the product name "Capri". The fins are named after the island of Capri (above) located in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the Sorrento Peninsula, on the south side of the Gulf of Naples in the Campania region of Italy. The main town of Capri that is located on the island shares the name. It has been a resort since the time of the Roman Republic. The fins in the late 1950s:

Spanish: "Mod. 2140.-Aletas tipo F (Capri) de talonera abierto, pero con suela que cubre todo el pié. Modelo económico proprio para principiantes. Vale para las tallas 38 al 42. Mod. 2113.-Las mismas aletas para tallas 34 a 37 (señorita o cadete)".
Rough translation: "Model 2140.-Fins type F (Capri) with an open heel, but with a sole covering the entire foot. Budget model for beginners. Valid for sizes 38 to 42. Model 2113.-The same fins for sizes 34 to 37 (young women and youngsters)".

1960

So an adjustable open-heel fin with an extended foot platform to protect the wearer's soles on stony Mediterranean beaches. Ribbed blade for reinforcement. Available in a range of colours and sizes.

Further Capri imagery:

 

[David Wilson]

We come now to Nemrod Modelo C fins.

So an adjustable open-heel fin for young women. Note the unusual blade design. These fins did not remain long in production. If you know your American fin history, you might already have experienced a moment of "déjà vu". Yes, indeed, these Nemrod Modelo C fins do bear a close resemblance to Healthways Webbys:

We shall return midweek with a review of Nemrod Granada and Castilla fins. Until them, keep warm, safe and well.

 

[dmaziuk]

Modern takes on that idea: