rodndtube.com's (OLD) MyPaipoBoards Forums. Reading but no posting on the OLD forums.

[bgreen]

Last night on the tv they had a segment on the shinfin - anyone tried one?

Bob

[Jon Davey]

Yes, bought some about 12 months ago. Used 'em about three times. You can only get thrust while kicking in one direction. Very poor for all surfing activities I would opine!

Jon

[bgreen]

Jon,

Thanks. What do you mean by only get thrust kicking in one direction?

Bob

[Jon Davey]

They're attached to the lower shin with the blade section resting on and covering your foot. If you imagine yourself lying on your back in the water and making a downstroke you will probably see that the whole blade affair just flaps up from the foot, bending as it were, and giving no forward thrust ; only when the bridge of the foot is moving forward through the water will any thrust be gained. A nice idea that helps swimmers achieve a few extra pounds of pressure but really frustrating for surfers. It's a real downer because I thought they may have been the answer. The answer, however might come with the Tom Weggener (?) idea of using no fins at all and one of his long flat boards. Back to old fashioned Cornish bellyboarding! Sorry about delay in replying - computer problems!

Yours,
Jon

[bgreen]

Jon,

Thanks. Regarding the Wegener boards & fins. I have seen footage of the boards used with and without fins. The surf without fins has typically been pretty close to shore where you can push off the bottom. I am interested in looking at one of these boards, but am keen to see them in action in larger hollow waves, as well as how they turn.



Bob