Test Diving my New Rondine Fins

[Aileron]

I went diving today to test out my new Rondine Fins which I purchased from VDH at the Black Friday Sale, and I am pleased to provide the following two word summary:

BAD ASS!

I have never had full foot fins in my life. Yep, all 29 years of it.
I was skeptical of them staying on my feet since they are overall much smaller than my Tusa Tri-Ex (which are embarassingly neon yellow). I purchased some vintage Healthways fins a while back, but they aren't comfortable and the straps are cracking. Another issue I was concerned with was my ankle that I screwed up in Coz in Sept., and how these would work, since I'm still having issues with that. The Rondine fins are soooo comfortable and pliable, plus they fit me like a g-l-o-v-e. I used 1.5 mil fin socks and....perfection. I also had purchased the Fin Grips, but didn't need them at all. I love they way they look, I have plenty of propulsion, and they actually made it easier to flutter kick. I couldn't do alot of that before with the Tusa's because they are much stiffer and did I mention they are NEON YELLOW.

My search for a vintage style fin is finally over! Thank you Bryan!

Next Up: Vintage style wetsuit.

BTW: For those of you North of the Mason-Dixon Line and on the Left Coast of Canada: It's December 17th...... air temp 72*, water temp 73*. I wore a 3mil wetsuit with a hooded vest. Don't Hate.

[Bryan]

Thanks for the great report from the field! I'm surprised I've only sold 3 pair so far...

Every day I go to my closet and I have to decide if I'm going to wear a short sleeved shirt or a short sleeved shirt....Then I have to decide if I'm wearing shorts or shorts...Aside from a few unusual chilly mornings/evenings I've not needed anything else....Don't hate

[1969ivan1]

I hate!

[JES]

In North Florida the high today was 73 degrees.

Like Lisa & Bryan have said - Don't hate....

[Bryan]

[YankDownUnder]

Rondines are great fins. They were the type I dived as a teenager (1960). Mine were made by Cressi-Sub in Italy. I think Healthways marketed them in the USA.

Where they really shine as full foot fins, is on tropical dives. There is no need to have those hot thick soled booties, or booties at all... if you have the right size. I just wore sandals onto the boat and slipped on my shoe fins when we were ready to dive. You have that nice tropical water on your feet and are still protected from the coral. With an oval mask and you really look the part now. Steve .

[swimjim]

No hate up here. I applaud Bryan for his descision to live in Florida. It's what he wants to do. That's far better then the people who sit in the Northern climes and gripe about the weather all the time. Life is too short.
People tell me I'm crazy, and they are probably correct, but I enjoy cold water diving as much as warm. That's not a bad thing. Keeps the riff raff out. LOL
I'll probably get a pair of those fins myself as they are simular to the ones I used as a young teen before I was certified. But that's going to have to wait until spring for me. I'm chomping at the bit to try my new masks though. April's 33 degree water won't affect them. It will be nice having something on my mug that will reliably seal! Frozen eyeballs s**k!

Jim

[SurfLung]

- I ordered a pair right away but gave them to my wife to wrap up for Christmas. Nobody knows what to buy for me so, I buy stuff for myself... Ha! Ha!
- Here's my main impression from just a brief handling of my new Rondines: They're solid rubber! None of this clear colored plastic panel business. AND, they're bigger than I expected. I always thought Rondines were kind of small... Maybe I saw some in womens or child sizes before. I ordered the big size and they are every bit as serious as my 1960's Sportways Waterlung Shoe Fins (sadly, those have a ripped out heel). The Rondines are about the same physical dimension and weight as the Waterlungs, too. I'm very impressed with the quality of these Rondines. After I re-open the Rondines on Christmas morning, I'll try and publish a side-by-side picture here.
- My first test with these fins will probably be in a pool... It's winter up here and the water outside has solidified!

[scubasteve59]

I can so see that little Kid with oval mask on forhead and a double hose rig......probably has little Rondines as well Thanks for the laugh!

[eskimo3883]

Ithouht this was an interesting web page. From Axis diver to scuba pioneer.

http://www.luigiferraro.it/en/node/1039

[Bryan]

Great information. I did not know how Technisub and Cousteau came to work together or why the Calypso divers often used Technisub gear....Now I do..Why they chose the Caravelle fin over the Jet Fin is clear now....It is still a decision that LaSpirotechnique regrets I'll bet.