haha it's so funny how the only people supporting force fins all (but one) have less than like 50 posts...
conspiracy?
;-)
Count the dives and not the posts. You would be surprised at the number of dives both Blair Mott and the Fin Doctor have accumulated. ScubaBoard is as crazy to some as Force Fins are to you. New and/or different things are often scoffed at in the Scuba Community. NitrOx was once called voodoo gas and I have been told by a few captains that my long hose would end up killing me. I like to keep an open mind about things until I actually try them. It's easy to dis something you have never used, and even easier when others are into laughing at it.
Five years ago I was laughing at Pro-Ear Masks on this forum. Last year I met a diver who would not be able to dive without one. I don't laugh at them anymore. How much is that Pro-Ear mask worth to my friend? Well, I think they spent less than $80.00. But the the real worth of them being able to actually dive because of them? Priceless.
Dan from OTB heard about my ankle and that I was having ambulatory problems. I had used his shoe with great success in Russia, but I needed to have some real ankle support to walk with both feet unassisted and to be able to dive. He sent me three sets of boots just for me to try. Hey, they support my ankle far better than the $300 brace they prescribed for me. No, they didn't cost me a thing, but because they enable me to walk a bit and even dive, they are simply priceless to me.
Yesterday, I went diving with a Rapid Diver (and those OTB boots). Some were laughing at me because it looked different: I even heard one group snicker "Scuba Steve". Yet, without it I would not have been able to dive at all: That ankle surgery was only six months ago and I could not support much additional weight. I think the Rapid Diver and getting it all set up cost something like $800 (I didn't look at my credit card). What is it's worth, now that it enables me to dive? Priceless!
Once in the water, I still almost had to call the dive because of the pressure of my Jets on my ankle when I was kicking. Yeah, I felt each and every kick, and I drifted to the left because of my strong right ankle. I moved slowly, but I was still hurting when I got out. Maybe Force Fins will enable me to have more fun and less pain. I don't know that for certain, but you can be SURE I will be trying them out. I wonder how many laughing at the price tag want to pay my doctor and hospital bills from my ankle surgery? Even just the co-pays? They FAR exceed $800.00!
Yeah, it's easy to laugh and mock at something that's different, until you see the real value. No, it's not in its price tag: it's in the problems it solves. Price is immaterial if it means I get to go diving. It is even less relevant if it stops me from injuring myself. I don't really care if you laugh at me and call me Scuba Steve behind my back: I will continue to use the gear that works for me, and I am not going to be deterred from trying some new things.
