OP
TN Traveler
Contributor
Just returned from a week in St. Lucia - diving with Sandals. Despite what I had heard, we had a great dive experience, never had a dive stopped because of time. Viz was OK - 40-60 ft, down a little because of all the rain. First dives were between 60-80 ft and 2nd dives were 40-50 ft (a couple in the 30-40 ft range).
This was my 3rd trip with the Hockey Fins and the more I dive with them, the better they get.
Admittedly, most of the dives were "tours" of the reefs/walls with the lead Instructor swimming out front at a moderate, steady pace and most of the group falling in behind. Since I was taking videos, I did a lot of stopping and having to "catch up".
Things I noticed about the fins:
1. Back kicks - no problem, I could position myself easily - absolutely the best ever.
2. Frog kicks - I could easily keep up with the Instructors with just a frog kick - and it showed with my air consumption. I consistently used less air than my wife (and that has never happened before).
3. Flutter kick - when I needed to "catch up", I did it with little effort and amazing speed. And when the Instructor pointed something out, I was the first one there, even if I was near the back of the pack. This did cause some consternation with my wife (buddy) since I did leave her in the dust a couple of times.
4. Fatigue/cramps - none - I felt better/more relaxed after these dives - never felt like I needed an "afternoon" nap. On a couple of dives when we encountered current, I could definitely feel my legs start to tire when I had fallen behind to take pictures and had to catch up - but once I slowed down (and frog kicked), I quickly recovered.
One of the Instructors, after watching me for a couple of days, asked how fast they would go - the result was a challenge race at the end of the 2nd dive one day. Result - one 20-something year old Instructor left in the dust by a 60+ year old diver in a 50 yd sprint.
(I have to admit, I was puffing hard at the end )
Bob - thanks for making these!!!
This was my 3rd trip with the Hockey Fins and the more I dive with them, the better they get.
Admittedly, most of the dives were "tours" of the reefs/walls with the lead Instructor swimming out front at a moderate, steady pace and most of the group falling in behind. Since I was taking videos, I did a lot of stopping and having to "catch up".
Things I noticed about the fins:
1. Back kicks - no problem, I could position myself easily - absolutely the best ever.
2. Frog kicks - I could easily keep up with the Instructors with just a frog kick - and it showed with my air consumption. I consistently used less air than my wife (and that has never happened before).
3. Flutter kick - when I needed to "catch up", I did it with little effort and amazing speed. And when the Instructor pointed something out, I was the first one there, even if I was near the back of the pack. This did cause some consternation with my wife (buddy) since I did leave her in the dust a couple of times.
4. Fatigue/cramps - none - I felt better/more relaxed after these dives - never felt like I needed an "afternoon" nap. On a couple of dives when we encountered current, I could definitely feel my legs start to tire when I had fallen behind to take pictures and had to catch up - but once I slowed down (and frog kicked), I quickly recovered.
One of the Instructors, after watching me for a couple of days, asked how fast they would go - the result was a challenge race at the end of the 2nd dive one day. Result - one 20-something year old Instructor left in the dust by a 60+ year old diver in a 50 yd sprint.
(I have to admit, I was puffing hard at the end )Bob - thanks for making these!!!
