Force Fins?

[scuba70]

I have to ask about these fins. This weekend I saw my first actual pair of force fins in use. While I was diving, I noticed another buddy pair go by and one of them had a pair of force fins. They looked very flexible and like they might work you to death trying to kick and go anywhere. I guess they obviously work, but can anyone shed some light on what they are like to use? I wanted to talk to the person with them once I surfaced, but they were no where to be found.

 

[fisheater]

They feel like you don't have fins on. At first, that's disconcerting. But, then, you'll notice that you're moving very nicely through the water.

Try a pair.

 

[scuba70]

They seem to be a bit pricey. Are they worth the $$?

 

[JKPAO]

I would say Yes, every DOLLAR! I love mine, and have purchased a second pair! Fish said it all!
Try a pair for at least a couple of dives.. they are a great fin! FF Pro's
See you topside! John

 

[uncleavi]

I have many pair and love them!
Some folks say you can't do this or that with them and all I can say is you are welcome to come to my home here in Alaska and we will dive in the Pacific and you are invited to tell me what I cant' do with Force Fins and I will Demo said skill for you. I will tell you why they cost a lot. One reason is that they are made by my friend Bob Evans and Two Bob Lives in California and he make fins from the best quality materials. I am taking a new pair of them to Tahiti tomorrow and they are the same fins I have been testing here in Ketchikan. I can use a 3mm wetsuit boot and a Drysuit boot with the same fin and they will work great. I invite you to check out the Force Fin forum here on ScubaBoard and you will see many great pictures and threads.
Avi Ratica
Force Fin Test Diver #
PS If you do come, tell my wife you love Pugs

 

[Garrobo]

When I first started diving I had some real problems with my calf muscles cramping. I tried a pair of FF's and the cramps went away immediately. I have two pairs, one for barefoot diving and one larger pair for booties. Love'em. If you are concerned about the rip-off price of new FF's look on Ebay. I bought the two pairs (new) for $110 plus shipping.

 

[sambolino44]

They are different. I was initially intrigued by them for that reason. I bought my first pair before ever trying them because I was convinced by all the stuff I read about them. At first I was wondering what all the fuss was about; they didn't seem to work that much better than my old fins. It took several dives, like ten or twelve, before I started getting the most out of them. Now I love them and recommend them to everyone.

Just don't judge them too harshly by the first impression; you probably won't start to appreciate them until you adjust your kick. Don't ask me how, I was never able to figure out all those descriptions of what to do to change your kick, all I know is I do use a different stroke with them.

In my experience, they are very efficient; they don't seem to need as much energy to move you forward. They don't kick up as much silt. They don't cause cramps because they fit onto your foot in a totally different way from all other fins. They make it easier to maneuver, like going backward or spinning around. They are easy to pack because they're shorter.

 

[Tortuga68]

Pros: All of the above. Oh, and they're black

Cons: They're negatively buoyant

 

[jester1226]

Pros: All of the above. Oh, and they're black

Cons: They're negatively buoyant

Every fin I have ever had is negatively bouyant. Maybe all that begativity is why I am propelled so quickly and effiecently, not to mention with less effort!

 

[themagni]

I wear force fins. I got them because when I was buying my gear, my buddy had some knock-offs, and I saw a cheap pair of the real kind on eBay. They were bright yellow, which I wanted, so I got them. (Also, the bright yellow ensures that they're the "scuba" flavour instead of snorkeling or swimming.)

To surface swim, you have to go on your back and bicycle kick. This isn't a problem in a wing or rear-inflating BC.

On my last two dives, my buddy used a lot less air than me on the first dive. There were a few reasons for that - it was my first boat dive, there were sea lions, and I think he was on a larger tank than my AL80. We were buddies on the second dive, as well.

The current picked up incredibly, and we had to fight, hard. I kept up and used the same amount of air as the buddy who had just used a lot LESS air than I did. I was about 5 feet higher than he was, too, so I was fighting MORE current. He had some fancy expensive split fin. I'm not sure what kind.

If I lost my Force Fins, I'd try a few dives with something else just to see, but I'd buy another pair without hesitation. I would strongly recommend the bungy cord attachments. They make the fin don / doff process laughably easy.

It would be very difficult to lose a pair, as they will force themselves onto your foot as you swim. In other words, they will stay on even if the straps break.