Ocean
Master ART FinThe Art fins from Ocean Master are the first fins to ever separate the foot pocket from the fin blade. A radical design concept, to be sure, but why? And does it work? First let's look at the concept, then I'll tell you how the fin performed for me in the water.
Fins
are extensions of the body, through the legs and feet, delivering
power for propulsion through the water. The problem is that while we
can swim, our bodies were not really made for it, especially with
performance enhancing devices like fins. An important but weak link
in this system is the ankle, feet and toes. They were made for
walking, not finning. While the legs are strong and powerful, the
feet and toes are weak, prone to cramping, even injury if not used
properly. Finning can put some serious strains on these components.
Ocean Master chose to remove finning strain entirely from the feet and toes by making the power delivering fin blade separate from the foot pocket. Several advantages are gained with this concept.
First,
the footpocket is not molded with blade so that desired properties of
each, for the most part mutually exclusive, can be retained. The
footpocket can be completely soft, pliable and comfortable while the
blade is a solid piece of powerful springy plastic from heal to tip.
This also eliminates the possibility of two bonded materials
separating, which can happen to some fins under extreme conditions
and use.
Another advantage is the power transfer is from the leg to the blade rather than through the toes and foot (again, the weakest part of the system). The footpocket moves independent of the fin blade by about and inch or two - just enough to take straining pressure off the toes and foot. Power to the blade is transferred at the end of the strong legs at the ankle, where the blade and foot pocket join.
And finally, by separating the foot pocket from the blade, Ocean Master has achieved better weight distribution of the fin itself. In addition, this fin has the unusual characteristic of being slightly buoyant.
I was able to make three dives with this fin, one beach and the other two boat. While it took a bit of getting used to the feel of the footpocket disconnected from the blade (giving a kind of "flip-flop" sensation), I know this fin was performing well. Believe it or not, the boat dives were a tough challenge. Strong currents prevailed that day and it was long haul to the desired underwater location. Both times I swam over a 100 yards either perpendicular or against the current. In the cold water, I should have felt the strain but the fins came through. (By the way, the material used in the fin blade does not change stiffness or recoil with temperature. It is constant at any water temperature.) Foot comfort was remarkable, especially noticed on the beach dive walking in and out of the surf across the sand. On none of the dives did I find the positive buoyancy to be an issue (but I wear ankle weights most of the time anyway). The buckles and strap assembly was a joy to use &emdash; best I've used yet. It was very easy to don the fins, adjust in one quick pull, and remove the fins all with one thickly gloved hand. According to their sales literature, Ocean Master completely redesigned this buckle recently. Because of it's design, this should be a good all around fin for nearly all experience levels and diving styles. The Art fin is available in three sizes and the colors of silver, crystal blue, clear ("clear"!?), blue, yellow, pink, black and lime.
To see the Art fins visit an Ocean Master dealer near you. California dealers are indicated in the Dive Store Directory section of this publication or you can contact Ocean Master directly at 800-841-7007.
