Fins for bodysurfing/paipo riding?

[bongoman]

Hi there

I know I'm posting in a scuba forum, but I'm an active body surfer and paipo rider and fins play a crucial role both in swimming out to the line-up and then in accelerating at take-off on to a wave. So there's two types of kick involved - cruising out at a leisurely pace and then the need for a rapid burst of acceleration. 3-4 kicks of maximum thrust to get on to a wave.

I know there are dedicated forums for surfing, but I thought it would be interesting to cross-pollinate with the diving community in the quest for the perfect fin.

Many hardcore bodysurfers use UDT's with or without modifications. Many people shorten them and thin the ribs down to get a more flexible fin. There are of course a multitude of fins for body boarding as well.

But are there any divers out there who body surf? (Or ride a paipo or mat, maybe) And who have any thoughts about thinking outside the square to find a comfortable fin that might work in the surf?

Any thoughts appreciated.

I should add that I've been lately looking at some of the fins used by underwater hockey players, such as the fibreglass Leader fins etc and am wondering if they might be worth a try, in particular something like this, for example.

 

[David Wilson]

No, I don't bodysurf, but I do snorkel and I know a little about the history of fins. The first fins of modern times, made from rubber and patented in Europe by French naval officer Louis de Corlieu,

then independently by American yachtsman Owen Churchill of California

were used by Allied and Axis combat swimmers (frogmen) during World War II, then by recreational spearfishermen in the aftermath.

So de Corlieu's and Churchill's original fins were the prototypes of post-war divers' fins. Their original designs and materials remain virtually intact in the form of modern open-heel bodysurfing fins.

Full-foot and adjustable-strap versions followed, even Duck Feet (UDT) fins came with closed heels at one stage. However, many water sports enthusiasts stuck with the original designs over the years, sticking too with the original material. When I snorkel, I do so with all-rubber fins, albeit the full-foot variety, because that's the type I started with back in the 1960s and I see no reason to change.

You have no reason to apologise for using a scuba forum to write about surfing. All water sports benefit when there's a degree of cross-fertilisation among the individual aquatic pursuits. It helps to redress the balance that can so often tip in the direction of over-specialisation.

Talking of which, you mentioned underwater hockey fins. I don't play UH, but I understand that Technisub Alas, all-rubber full-foot, closed-toe fins are, or at least used to be, the fins of choice for players not only because they provided power, endurance and manoeuvrability but also because, being made of flexible rubber, they were unlikely to injure other players in what is a close contact sport. Sadly, Alas are no longer in production and the inevitable shift to harder, plastic-bladed fins has begun. There are all-rubber alternatives to Alas, however, notably the Japanese-made Gull Mew fin, which is popular with New Zealand UH players.

Unfortunately, Gull doesn't export to Europe or the USA, but sometimes Scubaboard members based in the Far East will sell Gull fins worldwide.

Good luck! I'm only sorry that the best bodysurfing weather and sea states are precisely the opposite of what is favoured by snorkellers. I enjoyed an hour of snorkelling this morning in the sea off a sandy beach on the North East coast of England. The waves were unusually calm and the sun wasn't overpoweringly hot, ideal conditions for me!

 

[meesier42]

I have a couple of ideas for you.

First, I'll talk about the Leaders, I have a pair and I play UWH, the ones that you looked at are really for u/w rugby not u/w hockey. The very short and very stiff paddle allows powerful turns, but very little in forward speed. There is another pair of fins used right now my u/w hockey players that is becoming very popular, the Breier U/W Hockey Fin. it would be a much better choice for you http://www.buwh.be/shop/, but there are durability issues with this type of fin.

I was going to mention the UDT's purely due to their popularity, but you already know the limitations of those.

The next option, the Rip Force Fin. This takes the UDT, and makes it more flexible, shortens it a little, but then adds a more powerful footpocket which is massively more comfortable and will basically eliminate cramping and extends the bottom of the footpocket under your heel, something that the UDT lacks. Its a very quick little fin, acellerates like mad, its comfortable for long swims, and you can adjust the size to fit barefoot or with a neoprene bootie when the water gets a little chilly.

 

[Hank49]

I wouldn't use full foot fins for body surfing. Well, I have but I duct taped them around my foot about 4 times. The foot pocket catches water and rips it right off your foot....in fast waves anyway, like Sandy Beach or any barreling wave. A strap fin ( I used to use only Duck Feet) works better.

 

[blue steal]

I bodysurf quite a bit in the summer time and also do quite a bit of bodyboarding. I have used several types of fins, but always return to my churchhills. they seems to hold up the best. I tried ridleys, (made in brazil), lasted a couple of years, then started cracking. The new churchills are soft in the blades and float, (Lost quite a few fins in the shore pound). Churchills when used with a nice pair of fin socks are quite comfortable for hours, provide quick acceleration. they work well for snorkeling as well, but for scuba.......no.

 

[Nemrod]

Voit UDT Duck Feet. N

 

[Mr. Nudi]

Viper Fins. Stiff for thrust and padded upper pocket for comfort on your toes.

Have two sets that I use when bodysurfing The Wedge down in Newport Beach. Love these fins!