RE: [Paddlewise] swim fins (for it)!

Chuck wrote:

> A fellow whose name I don't know sells and repairs drysuits and 
> has given the talk on cold water clothing. He is also a diver and 
> a paddler. He uses swim fins for diving. Last year he told us about 
> taking his swim fins everywhere he goes when paddling because, when 
> swimming in drysuit and pfd, the fins allow him to power through 
> the water with speed and efficiency-- the ideal emergency, get 
> yourself to safety, means of escaping a bad day!

Having used swim fins myself while body surfing, I'm also a proponent of
the idea of swim fins as something to consider as assistance in swimming
longer distances faster.  One thing to consider though...

Depending upon what we're wearing on our feet while paddling in
conditions that may put us in a position to use fins for this purpose,
getting the fins on quickly and securely may present another issue to
consider.  Would we have to remove, for instance, our thick neoprene
Mukluks?  Since swim fins are often made to fit either bare feet or feet
covered only by the thinnest of booties, this is something to consider. 
If we don't think this through and have a plan to make it work, we may
find ourselves out there needing to swim, with swim fins ready, and no
reasonable way to get them on our feet.

-- 
Melissa
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