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I’m still using these Churchill Makapuu fins.. they’ve been making them like this forever.
What’s the hot performance fin boarders are using today.
Brett Tweedy
YUCCA fins
Harvey McClendon
I've had Churchills forever. Tried others but always back to Churchills. Recently I had to buy new ones and they are not the same. The collar around the ankle is smaller and are impossible to put on. I had heard that they are now made in China. Yup sure enough. I did some digging around and found that an Aussie company bought the plant in Malaysia. It's now called Limited Edition. I bought a pair and are they like the blue and yellow ones, but now they come in a lot of different colors. The best ones were the old green ones. Take care of the old ones so they can last you along time....Cheers....
Robert R Rash
..well then I’m lucky I have 2 pair, a medium-large and a large..
Harvey McClendon
yeah loaned my old ones to a friend. I think I will see about getting them back and loan him my Yuccas. lol
Mike Jax
Redleys if you can find 'em....
Dan Minton
I like Yucca Fins, very comfortable.
John Hancock
I am actually in the process of repairing a pair
Dennis Preece
I always found “Duck feet” had the best power. Stiff but powerful
Greg Aspel
Stealth are pretty nice
Hal Gant
Da Fin. Great power, no leg cramps.
Harlan Fujioka
Original all green gum rubber loved those. I personally don’t like the stiffer blades. I had two pairs of Redleys close to the all green. I’d say between them and the Makapuu which I didn’t like. I’ve been using tech 2s 100% silicone. I even modified them by grinding off some ribs. Went a little to far list a little thrust. But still buy used pairs in good shape less than half price. Just got a pair of soft long blade Yuccas that I haven’t tried yet 35.00 can’t go wrong never used still in box. Seller said new model coming out soon. Tried DMCs made my knee sore
Tom Wolverton
Regarding Yucca longblades. We’ve been hearing about these supposedly new Yucca long blades for months now, but still no fins yet. And any inquiries to the company yield zero responses. I’m starting to not like this company. They seem to be… See more
Rod Rodgers
Fin marketing is very trendy, I agree. Equally challenging, maybe even moreso, is that one very seldom reads an informative description of the swim fins, how those fins accomodate the shape of their feet so well, whether the swim fins are being used mostly in beach/shore break or several hundred yards out in the ocean, and whether the fins blister or cut the foot or ankles.
DaFIns are my go-to fins. Before that I used Vipers Short Blade Stiff Yellow Dot and Flexi blade Orange Dot. But tropical waters broke down the Orange Dot and the Yellow Dot became Orange Dot without the spring and memory. Then Vipers went to a new formulation with super stiff heal straps and a small foot entry area and not way would my L size feet even fit into XXL fins even without fin sox on. I gave up on Churhills a long long time ago after their formulation went all stiff and rigid and the heal straps consistently wanted to cut up my ankles. And, quite frankly, the Vipers and DaFins performed better for me.
John DeVivo
Still using my Churchill’s. Love me the blue & yellow!
Bob Green
I'm a long term Churchill's user, but for more than six years the fit has been terrible. I tried 3 pairs of the identical size on, and could only get into 1 pair. The strap is super stiff and hard to get on your feet and the fin material is hard and c… See more
John Morris
Seems like a very personal choice, depending on foot shape, leg strength and maybe some performance issues I'm oblivious about. Since I switch off arm paddling and kicking I can get away with a softer fin with a shorter blade. Perfectly content with my Hydro-fins. Super comfortable and less costly than most other 'quality' fins.
Keith Usher
There is no new hotperformance fin. the chruchill fin patent ran out a while ago and now most bodyboard companies make a copy, maybe companoes claim to have re invented the wheel, but unless you have a foot shape that does not fits churchills then thy are as good as anything in the market, I personally have move to MS vipers as the a symetrical and dont twist my knee as much as churchills, but even (mike stewart) MS vipers makes a delta model which is basically a churchill.
Rod Rodgers
Some swim fins are very heavy. Weight is an important characteristic for me following fit and function. I travel a fair amount in my surfing life and need to take two pairs of fins. A pair of Vipers 5" blade weigh 3.4 pounds. My understanding is that Yuccas weigh quite a bit as well. A single pair of UDTs weigh 5.5 lbs. A pair of DaFins weighs 1.6 lbs. So, two pair of Vipers weigh 6.8 lbs vs 3.2 lbs for DaFins. That is a significant weight savings.
Surf gear weight is a factor for me: contact lenses with saline and disinfecting solutions for two weeks. Ding repair supplies. Basic first aid kit stuff. Back-up skegs. SPF and spare longsleeve rashguard. No wax! My travel boards now have GryptaLite on them.
Keith Usher
Rod Rodgers, thats an advantage of the symmetrical MS vipers i like, one will do as a spare as its good for either foot
Rod Rodgers
DaFins are also symmetrical!
So if I am bow-legged do would I want to wear assymetrical fins assymetrically?
Herman Peeters
churchills, I have 4 pairs to be sure
Charles Berkowitz
It’s like the old Greek board here
Robert R Rash
Charles Berkowitz .. it sure is..!!
Tom Wolverton
Churchill fin patent
https://www.facebook.com/groups/paipobe ... 064895080/
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Rob Beling
Also apparently a bit of controversy over the original inventor of this design?…! A google search on Louis de Corlieu reveals some interesting info!…
19 August 2023
https://www.facebook.com/groups/3430885 ... 321966310/
dont walk across reefs in the 100% silicone fins, once they cut the cut just runs.
Rod Rodgers
excellent point!
Not seeing any sand/pebble/shell fragments release holes... but what are those holes in the blades?
The marketing about feet is kind of weird as people vary SO much in their foot/toes layout. However the foot pocket appears wide enough for most feet.
What is the weight of a pair of these fins and what is the total length from heal strap to blade tip? And how wide is the wide point?
Keith Usher
i think the holes might be some part of the molding process, a place they will start a crack from, they look awful on many levels.
Michael Drury
Duck Feet are still my choice.
Damian Coase
Michael Drury mine too.
11 September 23
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Which brand and model of flipper is best, Mister Natural?
This content isn't available at the moment
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only d it with a small group of people, changed who can see it, or it's been deleted.
Rod Rodgers
Guess his answer was finless (as in no swim fins).
Chet Halleck
The Church of Crumb.
John Morris
Hup Ho, Yeah.
Bill Wurts
I have wide feet and like DaFin. The bodyboarders have been talking about Yuccas lately — haven’t tried these.
Rod Rodgers
all other things being equal between DaFin and Yuccas, the Yuccas weigh twice as much as DaFin.
Hal Gant
And are stiffer. Some may prefer it. I didn't.
Bill Wurts
Thought they had a few different stiffnesses.
Rod Rodgers
I have read several times about a range of stiffness/flexibility. There have also been comments about Yucca's flexibility characteristics, e.g., extending from the blade and into the rear body of the fin. It seems a person would have to try out several… See more
John Morris
Knowledgeable and helpful staff at the ebodyboarding warehouse recommended Yucca. Brought out a few pairs to try on and recommended standard, or middle flex. I couldn't tell much, both were comfortable while wearing the e.b.b finsock and fe… See more
Rod Rodgers
did you try out the eBodyboarding house brand fins?
Depending upon the Hydros you are referencing those can vary a bit and command a lot of effort with the wide blades and rails. They certainly move a lot of water between strokes. I recall… See more
John Morris
I guess mine are the original style. Fairly short and flexible blade. Very comfortable with fin socks in the 2-3mm range. If a decent 4-5mm finsock ever becomes available I may need new fins to get warmer feet. Going up a fin size makes for… See more
Rod Rodgers
You can obtain good 4-5mm fin socks from dive shops and NRS. I also use the .5mm Titanium liners from NRS. Also layered 2+3mm fin socks. Those combos worked well in N. Oregon waters.
Hal Gant
Mark Fitzpatrick - Blue Boobies?
Alan Bruce
Octoblades
Michael Westcott
Da Fin for me. I’ve pretty much tried all of the others.
Michael Drury
Duck Feet for me! “They float”.
Gary Sharp Danang
Been using these type since 1964.. tried the bodyboard strap and toe type.. gave me cramps.. these are much more comfortable and good cruising and instant thrust balance for a plywood bellyboard.. ps you need ankle straps or socks to keep them on.. also get floaters
Socks? Cut the toes off a pair of tight socks and pull them over the fins heel and your ankles.
Remember you will spend 95% of your time cruising and barely 5% thrusting
Rod Rodgers
Gary Sharp Danang - those look similar to my 1960s Cressi skindiving fins. I ran a string up from the forward toe outlet through the fin and around my ankles because the heals were too thin and weak to keep from tearing out in good waves.
Gary Sharp Danang
back in the day we used flipper holder onners.. not sure if you can buy them any more.. hence the socks..
Flippers
3 December 23
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Which brings me to ask, "Why would you choose purchasing the new long blade (Gen2) without trying them on first and how would you choose the flex or softness submodel?"
I am a little confused on how the terms stiffness, flexiness and softness are being used. Soft is not necessarily flexiness. A blade could have internal hardness but be thinned out to make it flex. And a too soft foot pocket might not provide firm thrust characteristics without being snug to the foot. As I understand it the terms flexi and stiffy are internally relevant to the model series. But what standard is it relevant to? That is where the user can shed light by comparing the models and submodels to other swim fins and flippers.
Maybe comment something along the lines of, "I would buy Yucca Longblade Softflex because compared to my Vipers the foot pockets is wider and softer. The foot pocket is wide enough to accomodate 2mm thick fin socks, but not more than that for my average width feet. Compared to my Churchills, they toes are not being crushed because of Yuccas wide toe end. Moreover, the drain holes are a huge improvement over my DaFins which has a drain hole in the middle of the footpocket but shells and pebbles drain easily out of the drain holes at the pocket ends of the Yucca fins. The fins weigh a lot more than DaFins, but nowhere near as heavy as UDTs." Better yet how heavy are your style/model/submodel of Yuccas? How wide is the foot pocket in inches or cm/mm? How long is the foot pocket? How wide is the blade? How long is the blade?
https://yuccafins.com/collections/longblade
https://www.facebook.com/yuccafins
John Morris
Specifications of swim fins are generally lacking. I don't know of any shops near me that carry more than one or two brands, so comparing the options is tough.
Rod Rodgers
John Morris, I agree fully on that challenge.
John Morris
Plus, I'm pretty clueless on technique. Different fin styles may suit different technique and even have benefits when riding. I'm able to discern foot comfort and leg cramping differences between the fins I currently own, but that's about it.
Rob Beling
Just really thankful and appreciative to see someone trying to push fin design forward! Especially in the realm of longer blades geared to folk other than bodyboarders which is the bulk and safe market. Have preordered a couple of pairs already! Hopefu… See more
Keith Usher
UDT are the worst fins I ever owned (i've had more than 10 different pairs) fin design moved forward from them over 30 years ago.
Rob Beling
Keith Usher, Ha! Yes agree, but sadly for me when the surf gets bigger, the rips stronger and the swims longer they are still the only ones I feel comfortable with out there! I remember getting caught up in a rescue once when I was using a less powerful… See more
Keith Usher
I see a lot of others seem to "thrash" with normal fins, break the surface, and splash more than make propulsion, I barely break the surface of the water. I'm sure the yuccas can't be any worse than the UDT, I bought a pair on a long winter trip to Ca… See more
Rod Rodgers
Keith Usher, what are your "pain points" with UDTs? What makes them such a bad choice for you, as an individual? Personally, I am not a fan of UDTs... they are too long, too heavy, too clunky, too hard and too tight and no flex through the blade. Weight is also a huge factor in my dislike. Not sure if they float but as they feel like anchors it is doubtful.
What I like in a swim fin, after mandatory fit and comfort, are quick burst speed and steady cruise kick paddling out to a line-up hundreds of yards out. Lighter weight is also an important factor (I go surfing with two pairs and when an airline is involved weight is a factor).
Rob Beling, in a similar vain as to you being thankful for UDTs, I was thankful two years ago April while surfriding a favorite cove in Costa Rica. It was a good sized day with the bombs going off 2x sized. I was a bit over-excited in catching a large right but slightly unawares, I was caught in a rip ending outside about 400 yds more than than the 400-600 yds I intended to be. No need to panic, I put my wave, break and ocean knowledge to work and worked about a course of altering channels to paddle myself steadily in. A steady stream of kick paddling for about 20 minutes using my DaFins. UDTs would have killed my legs, ankles and feet. Churchills would have torn my ankles up and blistered my toes. Vipers would have cramped me.
Keith Usher
too long, too heavy, too clunky, too hard and no flex through the blade, not wide enough in the blade. For the same effort I put into any other fin they provided less propulsion, I even tried cutting them short and they still sucked.
Rob Beling
Yep! That’s the true test of a fin in my book. These chunks of rubber we stick on our feet do not just help us catch waves and have a blast. Sometimes we may need to put our faith in them to get us (and occasionally others) out of trouble!
Gary Sharp Danang
Rob Beling or go back to the future with these
been using these since 1964.. toeless socks sleeves stop the heel being ripped off.. ps $15 used in VietnamRob Beling
Gary Sharp Danang Brilliant! Funny but I have done exactly the same thing! I like to skin dive and travel but occasionally there will be waves and you want to body surf as well! But how to keep those full foot fins on in the surf? I have a couple of pairs of Poseidon fins that come from perhaps the same moulds as yours, made in Taiwan from really top rubber. Also I have found the TUSA rubber fins are really good too! A very similar design, also with excellent rubber. I remember a few of the local kneeboarders back in the day used to use full foot rubber dive fins all the time! It was all we had here in the UK back in the 70s. A longtime surfing pal of mine laughs when he sees all the short blade fins people buy and use the days! He uses a pair of Mares full foot fins to really good effect. I’ m still searching for the perfect fin that will be good for both diving and surfing for when I go on trips and only take only one pair of fins.
Gary Sharp Danang
Yep Rop.. I wasted money many years ago on those toe twisting stubby strap fins.. bloody awful.. gave me cramps and no power.. my swim fins allow for comfortable cruising and power on the kickoff.. could never understood how those toe crampers were popular.
Ps back in the 60s there were purpose made rubber fin holders that slipped over your ankle with a strap under the fin heel.. but they seemed to disappear from the shops when those stubby things arrived
Rob Beling
Gary Sharp Danang Yep
you can still buy rubber “fin retainers” online. My mate uses extra strong ones as used by under water hockey players. However I think a Lycra sock with the toes cut off is a far better method though! I made myself a pair last winter whilst on a diving trip in the Canary Islands and a big swell hit! Worked superb! Impossible for them to come off! Energy transfer on full foot fins is so much more efficient.Keith Usher
Yucca brought an overcomplicated range to a segment of the market that did not need it. Making people really overthink the whole thing.
Graham Butcher
Good info
Fingers on the pulse
That’s just what this group is all about
Rod Rodgers
Imagine for a second if we bought shoes the way we buy swim fins/flippers. You never really try them on until you had already purchased them. Imagine if we generalized fin fit for 5mm of fin socks, oh, just upsize! Nyet, not will all fins (e.g., Vipers… See more
Matt Miller
I like how the Udt fins propel me through the water. As was the trend a while back I modified them, making them a bit shorter. Bad move. I have tried da fins, vomit duck feet Churchill’s and yucca. Plan on trying the new long bladed ones.
Rod Rodgers
buying all four variations of long-bladed ones?
Rob Beling
Ha! I’m guessing you meant Voit?!
Yep, I like the way you kind of load up the UDTs and then all that rubber releases and pushes you through the water. In a way I find them less work because of that! It’s like kicking in a different gear th… See moreIan Anderson
has anyone seen or tried these fins https://molchanovs.com/.../introducing- ... olutionary... no retail outlet in Oz & expensive but long blade and likely to be comfy ++
Introducing the Revolutionary CORE Silicone Bifins
MOLCHANOVS.COM
Rod Rodgers
Likely comfy but feet in those pics look snug. Also, they appear very flexi blades in the CORE line. They'd get in my way in doing a quick turn-and-go from looking at the incoming swell and doing the pivot-and-kickoff into the wave. Also a bitch to walk in, forwards or backwards (I'm not jumping off a boat!). Likewise in coming onto the shore from the sea. Couldn't find what appeared to be a bottom side of the fins, and if it was showing, there certainly were no drain holes which is a huge no-no in my book. Expensive to take a try/roll the dice.
Ian Anderson
I came across a 2nd hand pair 6 months ago but they had sold by the time i made up my mind. Agree with your POV, the company has zero interest in surfers needs and wants. Fins and the issues wearing them is my main motivation for starting to ride longer boards, if you can negotiate the various zones by paddling alone it solves a few puzzles. Easier to duckdive and surf beach breaks.