I have found that a divers attachment to thier fins can be likened to a person’s attachment to a loved pair of ugg boots. Unless there has been a drastic breakage or robbery, convincing a diver to try a new pair of fins can be near futile. I am a diver that falls into this category. I actually deployed on active warlike service with my ugg boots, and I feel similarly attached to my hot pink split fins.
But when I first saw the weird looking Scubapro seawing nova fins I was intrigued at how they worked. After I learned they had won a reddot design award I was curious to try them. When I picked them and and felt how light they were my decision was made- they would be perfect for travel. So I packed a white pair with fluro hot pink heel straps on my trip to Bali.
When putting these fins on the first thing I noticed was that my boot sat deep within the pocket. Unlike my split fins the heel of the fin sat under the full length of my foot – I was told this is to minimise leg strain and maximise the propulsion.
I expected these fins to be a lot firmer moving through the water than my split fins, but true to the design claim, the articulated joint allowed a similar propulsion to my split fins without a noticeable increase in kick effort. In fact, by the end of the dive I had forgotten that I was wearing an entirely different fin than I was used to using. So they definitely get a tick for comfort.
Indonesia is well known for having currents and this is where I found that the seawing nova stood out. Moving through the current the seawing nova definitely gave me better propulsion than my split fins. Yet I was still not convinced. So when I got home I took them for my final test; a dive at Fly point, when I was teaching, and carrying extra weights. Again, I was pleasantly surprised.
While I am not yet prepared to say goodbye to my split fins, I have found I am now faced with a tough choice of which fin I will wear each dive. Overall I have been very impressed with the Scubapro seawing nova, and with a full retail price of just $250 I think they will prove to be a very popular fin this summer. The curiosity factor will tempt even the most devoted fin owners. I dare you to be bold and try them.
Click here to see a video clip about the Scubapro seawing nova fins.
Here is some more detailed information about these great fins from Scubapro:
The Seawing Nova combines classic SCUBAPRO fin technology with the latest innovations in hydrodynamic design and cutting edge materials. This fin has the power, acceleration and manoeuvrability of a paddle fin with the comfort, efficiency and effortless speed of split fins.
- The articulated joint allows the blade to pivot and the entire blade is able to generate thrust. Pivot control technology ensures the most efficient angle of attack is maintained no matter how hard or softly you kick, generating thrust without drag or wasted energy.
- Clean water blade geometry for optimum propulsion. Water is free to flow onto the working section of the blade, drag is reduced and thrust increased.
- Variable pivot control ribs insures that the most efficient angle of attack is maintained across all strengths of kick.
- Ergonomic foot pocket with extended heel plate insuring ultimate power transmission with less leg strain.
- Durable Monprene® construction making SeaWing virtually indestructible.
- Wing tips arc upwards, increasing high-speed stability.
- Marine quality bungee heel strap with custom adjustment system for total comfort and convenience.