There is a very unique dive fin that I have used for years called a Force Fin. Most folks thought they were terrible or stupid since they are 1/3 the length of many fins, flexible and have absolutely no macho points (Very important consideration for many divers). You can see these fins on the Navy SEALs TV commercial as they jump out of a plane with their SCUBA gear on. They work by creating a vortex as they snap back to their original shape and one feels very little resistance to them. I am a friend of the designer and thought that the concept could be applied to a kayak paddle. I fixed two fins to a paddle shaft. There were a number of problems including the fact that the snap has to be inline with the direction of travel and the paddle was heavier than a $10 Sears paddle. I was unable to determine if there was actually a benefit and did not pursue it because of the weight issues of the special plastic required for the "blade" cya *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Mon Nov 19 2001 - 04:43:04 PST
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