First, some personal background:
I screwed up my lower back when I was 26 while working underneath a car. Even though I worked through that issue to be very physically active (competitive distance runner from my mid-30's to late 50's), my lower back has continued to be sensitive and unpredictable (I wear a back brace when I do any kind of physical work, such as mowing my lawn).
About ten years ago, I had a severe Sciatic nerve issue which rendered by left leg to about a 30% strength level. Following months of physical therapy (extended due to a hamstring pull in my right leg due to it carrying too much of the PT effort), I finally have achieved about a 95% left leg (although my left foot and outer left calf are still numb).
I was certified in 1985, and have probably (if I had logged all of them) over 1,000 open water dives to my credit, obtaining PADI Divemaster status in 2001. I dive a BARE 5mm Velocity wetsuit, primarily for the lower back and leg support that the thicker neoprene affords me, even though my diving is primarily tropical.
One issue that continued to evolve during my dive trips was difficulty in removing my fins while hanging on a ladder dropped from the side of a small boat (which represents over 95% of my current diving). My first attempted solution was to go to a fin with a bigger foot pocket (Mares Excel Plus), which proved not to be the solution, as my lack of mobility didn't give me easy access to the side buckle, and even once opened, I still could not generate sufficient leverage to easily remove the fin from my foot.
Finally, a solution:
I became interested in the Finclip when the first crowdfunding announcements were made. The initial descriptions intrigued me, as I could finally see a design that might address my issue. I invested immediately, and patiently waited through both crowdfunding efforts, ordering two sets, one for myself, and the other for my wife if she chose to take advantage of the technology.
Both sets arrived early this year. Each set comes in three bubble packets, along with a very comprehensive set of instructions. During the crowdfunding process, we provided certain information to the developer, including type and size of fin.
When it came to assembly, I was very careful to follow every word of the instructions carefully and precisely. I laid out each piece, next to my fins, and without removing my original fin straps, mentally walked through the assembly process. Once I was comfortable, I then proceeded, again, following every word of the instructions. Dry fitting was very encouraging, and I couldn't wait to dive them (although my next dive trip was not until this May).
Here are some pictures of our Mares fins, blue are my wife's (with the standard equipment straps), silver are mine (with the Finclip installed).
And here a dry fit with booties.
And finally, here in the wet.
I have to say that diving them met every expectation I had, both with putting them on, as well as removing them in the water.
While one might assume from the construction, there is no difference in the sensation from the rear support piece on the back of my foot/ankle, as opposed to what I recall from the standard strap that came with the Excel fins.
From my measurements, the access point for removing the fin has moved over seven inches, when comparing the standard latch to the top of the Finclip. Plus, once the back of the Finclip is lowered, the stiffness and added length gives me additional leverage to push the fin off the toe of my bootie, while also giving me a secure handhold to make sure my fins don't float away.
There have already been other discussions regarding this item here on Scubaboard, and every diving product ever created does not meet a universal need.
Notwithstanding any other methods of fin retention, I will have to say that the Finclip meets my needs without question, and I am glad that I took the opportunity to get in on the initial funding.
I screwed up my lower back when I was 26 while working underneath a car. Even though I worked through that issue to be very physically active (competitive distance runner from my mid-30's to late 50's), my lower back has continued to be sensitive and unpredictable (I wear a back brace when I do any kind of physical work, such as mowing my lawn).
About ten years ago, I had a severe Sciatic nerve issue which rendered by left leg to about a 30% strength level. Following months of physical therapy (extended due to a hamstring pull in my right leg due to it carrying too much of the PT effort), I finally have achieved about a 95% left leg (although my left foot and outer left calf are still numb).
I was certified in 1985, and have probably (if I had logged all of them) over 1,000 open water dives to my credit, obtaining PADI Divemaster status in 2001. I dive a BARE 5mm Velocity wetsuit, primarily for the lower back and leg support that the thicker neoprene affords me, even though my diving is primarily tropical.
One issue that continued to evolve during my dive trips was difficulty in removing my fins while hanging on a ladder dropped from the side of a small boat (which represents over 95% of my current diving). My first attempted solution was to go to a fin with a bigger foot pocket (Mares Excel Plus), which proved not to be the solution, as my lack of mobility didn't give me easy access to the side buckle, and even once opened, I still could not generate sufficient leverage to easily remove the fin from my foot.
Finally, a solution:
I became interested in the Finclip when the first crowdfunding announcements were made. The initial descriptions intrigued me, as I could finally see a design that might address my issue. I invested immediately, and patiently waited through both crowdfunding efforts, ordering two sets, one for myself, and the other for my wife if she chose to take advantage of the technology.
Both sets arrived early this year. Each set comes in three bubble packets, along with a very comprehensive set of instructions. During the crowdfunding process, we provided certain information to the developer, including type and size of fin.
When it came to assembly, I was very careful to follow every word of the instructions carefully and precisely. I laid out each piece, next to my fins, and without removing my original fin straps, mentally walked through the assembly process. Once I was comfortable, I then proceeded, again, following every word of the instructions. Dry fitting was very encouraging, and I couldn't wait to dive them (although my next dive trip was not until this May).
Here are some pictures of our Mares fins, blue are my wife's (with the standard equipment straps), silver are mine (with the Finclip installed).
And here a dry fit with booties.
And finally, here in the wet.
I have to say that diving them met every expectation I had, both with putting them on, as well as removing them in the water.
While one might assume from the construction, there is no difference in the sensation from the rear support piece on the back of my foot/ankle, as opposed to what I recall from the standard strap that came with the Excel fins.
From my measurements, the access point for removing the fin has moved over seven inches, when comparing the standard latch to the top of the Finclip. Plus, once the back of the Finclip is lowered, the stiffness and added length gives me additional leverage to push the fin off the toe of my bootie, while also giving me a secure handhold to make sure my fins don't float away.
There have already been other discussions regarding this item here on Scubaboard, and every diving product ever created does not meet a universal need.
Notwithstanding any other methods of fin retention, I will have to say that the Finclip meets my needs without question, and I am glad that I took the opportunity to get in on the initial funding.
