Tried a new fin setup on a job in Galveston and got tossed around like a ragdoll

Switched from my old Jetfins to some Force Fins for a salvage dive and the current grabbed me so hard I nearly lost my mask. Anybody else find certain fins just don't cut it in strong flow?

2 comments

2 Comments

jakewilliams1mo ago

Jumping off what you said about blade stiffness and shape, I think it's a combination that really depends on the kind of current you're in. With Force Fins, that pivoting action is great for maneuvering in tight spaces, but in a steady, strong flow like what we get in the Gulf passes, it can actually make things worse because the fin flexes too much and loses its bite. A stiffer blade would have held more water and given you a solid platform to push against, but the profile matters too. If the fin is too wide or has a big scooped pocket, it catches the current like a sail on your backstroke. I've had the best luck with a mid-stiffness paddle fin that has a fairly flat, streamlined shape for those Galveston jobs where you're constantly fighting a 2-3 knot drift.

milap351mo ago

Hang on, was it the blade stiffness or the shape that had you fighting? I've heard those Force Fins pivot differently in unpredictable surge compared to a more traditional blade. Curious if you think a stiffer fin would've handled the current better or if it's more about the fin's profile cutting through the water.