Showing posts with label fins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fins. Show all posts

Monday, May 4, 2009

The History Of Fins

What do you call the big rubber shoes you throw on your feet to help you gain an edge in the water? Swim fins, shin fins (also used as a curse word in some countries) or flippers? Perhaps you have a very special name for them (if so let us know). Here at DestinationWater.com we call them fins. Fins are worn on the foot, adding length and propulsion to each of your kicks in the water. Hi-Tech fins are like great sunglasses – our friends in Italy know this to be true. Style, form and function mean one thing - Italian designed and manufactured. Great fins should have the style of a Ferrari and the performance of a Lamborghini. In water language that means a blade that delivers a tremendous amount of power with minimal expenditure of energy. Rubber center section cups water in the down stroke to prevent blade from wobbling or side slipping. In basic terms – you look good when you’re swimming through the deep blue and more importantly you cover more water, faster and with less effort. All of this adds up to more time in the water, exploring one of nature’s greatest resources by swimming, body boarding, bodysurfing and various types of underwater diving.

Unlike Aquaman, who can dash through the water like a great blue or black marlin, the average diver/swimmer cannot effectively use their feet to move through the water. Your toes may be great for helping you count when you need to get past the number 10 but are horrible at underwater propulsion. If you are a diver, adding equipment that increases hydrodynamic drag (you did not wake up and expect to read a hydrodynamic drag, dropping it like its hot blog style – way. Also, hydrodynamic is a triple word score when playing Scrabble; thank your friends at DestinationWater.com when you take home the gold in the international Scrabble competition). Anyways, when you are geared up underwater your feet and toes are no help in moving you through the water. Aquaman can swim circles and squares around you. That is why swimmers and divers, in an effort to be more like Aqua Man, use swim fins….


So what fins will work for you? Depends on what water activity you are in too. Nice shades are made for specific reasons – driving, golfing, fishing, outdoor sports, etc. The same holds true for fins. A fin that will have you darting through the cool blue waters of the Pacific Ocean will not have the same affect in your 12ft X 30ft above ground pool. Fins are specially designed for special activities – a fun day of snorkeling, a day of laps in the pool, a free dive to explore the deep blue – you name the activity and there is a fin designed for it.

Figure out what water activities you want to do, then visit us at http://www.destinationwater.com/ . We have sets, combos and standalone products. Each product is loaded up with information ensuring you get the product you want and you know where you can buy it…

Maximize your time in the water with the right products and never forget the immortal words of Aquaman – “You know not all my friends have fins.”

Maybe you can be a friend. And with the right fins, you might even be able to keep up with the legendary superhero of the deep…


http://www.destinationwater.com/
- A C Walters Intercoastal Corporation

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Snorkel Gear Tips - by Jeanine Sachs

I have been working on the CWIC Customer Support Team for 4 years and am always asked great questions that may help other water enthusiasts better enjoy their adventures. Today I'd love to share some surrounding the use of snorkels, snorkel & dive masks and fins.

How do you use mask and snorkel purge valves?

To clear a mask purge valve, simply hold onto the mask firmly with your hands, tilt your head forward and exhale through your nose. Any water within your mask will exit the purge valve.

A snorkel purge valve is cleared when
you take a deep breath and blow with force. The water will then clear from the breathing passage.





How about a whistle built into a snorkel?
A
whistle is a notify feature built into many of today's snorkels. Our whistles are designed to be heard from over 200 feet away. To use them, you must rise to the surface of the water, remove the snorkel from
your mouth and blow with force into the whistle.


How do you know if a pair of fins fit properly?

Fins should fit snugly, yet allow for the free movement of your foot and ankle. There are many varieties to choose from, so make sure that you take the time to find a pair that is most comfortable for you.



Best way to keep a mask fog free?

The best way to avoid a foggy mask is to first purchase a high-quality mask with tempered glass lenses. Secondly, when you bring your mask home wash with hot soapy water (some snorkelers like to use toothpaste as a cleaning agent). Finally, you can apply Body Glove anti-fog gel to your lenses on the day of your adventure.

If you have questions that you would like for me to answer about snorkeling, swim gear, Learn-to-Swim equipment, and pool toys, please send them to info@destinationwater.com.


http://www.destinationwater.com/
- A C Walters Intercoastal Corporation