David Wilson
Contributor
The four previous Soviet fin threads showcased 24 different models made in factories on the territory of what is now the Russian Federation and Ukraine. I am now planning three more threads, each devoted to the output of the three post-Soviet fin-manufacturing plants in Russia and Ukraine. These fins deserve to be classed as "vintage" or more accurately "classic" because they are unashamedly traditional open-heel and full-foot rubber fins that could not be more different from the thermoplastic-pocketed and plastic-bladed fins almost exclusively purveyed in western countries.
Russian industry continues to restructure and that includes its diving equipment manufacturers. After the fall of the Soviet Union, two Russian plants manufactured fins: Al'faplastik (Альфапластик) in the capital city, Moscow, and YaRT in Yaroslavl northeast of Moscow. Ukraine continued making fins at the Kiivguma plant in its own capital city, Kiev.
This thread is dedicated to the fins made since the early 1990s at the Al'faplastik plant (below).
Every Al'faplastic fin has the distinctive feature of a "marbled" foot pocket. This includes the company's "flagship" fin, the "Del'fin" (Дельфин), whose name means "Dolphin" in English:
There is a video on YouTube showing how these Al'faplastik fins are manufactured, trimmed and packed:
The relevant sequence is between 4.45 minutes and 7.45 minutes into the video.
Del'fin fins have a long history, dating back over half a century to 1966 when they were available in solid black. Al'faplastik's marbled Del'fin fins are available in four European sizes, 35-37 38-40, 41-43, 44-46. The manufacturer has an online retail site with the fins at ОАО "Объединение Альфапластик". The fins can be purchased in dollars or euros from online retailers in the West such as Dolphin rubber fins - MonofinShop.
Del'fin foot pockets are often used to manufacture monofins in Russia. Here, finally, is the slip included with the fins in Russian and in an English translation I put together:
The fin continues to be valued in Russia and elsewhere for swim training, snorkelling and as a component for home-made monofins. The foot pocket is comfortable and the blade somewhat on the soft side, so it makes a good fin for endurance swimming purposes rather than a sprint fin for short-distance swim racing.
Al'faplastik's own description of its fins, translated into English, is as follows:
GOST 22469-77 Rubber fins
Rubber fins are ideal for swimming and diving in open (sea, lake, etc.) and closed waters (pool).
The soft and comfortable foot pockets have an anatomic shape that provides the best fin hydrodynamics during foot movements. The wide range of models and sizes will let anyone who wishes, children or adults, choose the best option for themselves.
Advantages of the fins:
* Anatomic full foot pocket will not apply pressure or strain to the foot, ensuring a comfortable swim;
* Thanks to their special developed design, they have excellent hydrodynamics;
* Firmly secured to the feet, they do not shift when moving forward;
* They do not overload the legs and feet;
* They provide the optimum load on the legs during sport activity;
* The fins are made to meet the requirements of GOST 22469-77, do not irritate skin or cause any other allergic response and are safe for adults and children to use;
* In the design of these fins there are no elements that can cause injury to feet.
Russian industry continues to restructure and that includes its diving equipment manufacturers. After the fall of the Soviet Union, two Russian plants manufactured fins: Al'faplastik (Альфапластик) in the capital city, Moscow, and YaRT in Yaroslavl northeast of Moscow. Ukraine continued making fins at the Kiivguma plant in its own capital city, Kiev.
This thread is dedicated to the fins made since the early 1990s at the Al'faplastik plant (below).
Every Al'faplastic fin has the distinctive feature of a "marbled" foot pocket. This includes the company's "flagship" fin, the "Del'fin" (Дельфин), whose name means "Dolphin" in English:
There is a video on YouTube showing how these Al'faplastik fins are manufactured, trimmed and packed:
The relevant sequence is between 4.45 minutes and 7.45 minutes into the video.
Del'fin fins have a long history, dating back over half a century to 1966 when they were available in solid black. Al'faplastik's marbled Del'fin fins are available in four European sizes, 35-37 38-40, 41-43, 44-46. The manufacturer has an online retail site with the fins at ОАО "Объединение Альфапластик". The fins can be purchased in dollars or euros from online retailers in the West such as Dolphin rubber fins - MonofinShop.
Del'fin foot pockets are often used to manufacture monofins in Russia. Here, finally, is the slip included with the fins in Russian and in an English translation I put together:
The fin continues to be valued in Russia and elsewhere for swim training, snorkelling and as a component for home-made monofins. The foot pocket is comfortable and the blade somewhat on the soft side, so it makes a good fin for endurance swimming purposes rather than a sprint fin for short-distance swim racing.
Al'faplastik's own description of its fins, translated into English, is as follows:
GOST 22469-77 Rubber fins
Rubber fins are ideal for swimming and diving in open (sea, lake, etc.) and closed waters (pool).
The soft and comfortable foot pockets have an anatomic shape that provides the best fin hydrodynamics during foot movements. The wide range of models and sizes will let anyone who wishes, children or adults, choose the best option for themselves.
Advantages of the fins:
* Anatomic full foot pocket will not apply pressure or strain to the foot, ensuring a comfortable swim;
* Thanks to their special developed design, they have excellent hydrodynamics;
* Firmly secured to the feet, they do not shift when moving forward;
* They do not overload the legs and feet;
* They provide the optimum load on the legs during sport activity;
* The fins are made to meet the requirements of GOST 22469-77, do not irritate skin or cause any other allergic response and are safe for adults and children to use;
* In the design of these fins there are no elements that can cause injury to feet.
