I'm not a diver, due health issues, but I do like your videos. Your humor on any taken subject is just wonderful. Thank you for sharing your deep knowledge and history aspects.
I'm pleased that you're enjoying my idiocy. If I'd had the pleasure of meeting you, it wouldn't be long before you realized that it's just my way. I'm not in this world for a long time - I intend to enjoy myself. I try to not get too irritated by the small stuff and I always look for the bright side of any situation. There usually is one, no matter how had it may be to find. Take care. Alec
Now this is a good vid. Informative and concise advice given clearly and precisely by someone who knows what he’s talking g about. Could not be better, or more useful. Thank you.
Hey Alec! I love the series. You should do an episode about full-face masks, and the advantages and disadvantages of using this type of gear for recreational diving. Keep up the great work!
When I leaned to do scuba I got certified in a pair of mares Avanti Quattro 3 weeks later is was doing a rec dive and decided to rent out some jet fins, my god the amount of power in the frog kick is just so good I will never go back to a normal fin jet fins are truly the best
Every fin review video talks about the foot pocket, the different materials in the blade and the angle of the blade, those things can be easily seen in a photo. Also every fin claims to be very efficient and give you a lot of thrust. But what about the fin's responsiveness? Different kicks? Weight? Buoyancy? Those are the factors that people need to choose the right fin, and no one talks about them. Anyway, I love your tech videos and I'm watching them all. Keep on!
Hi. Alec. I recently upgraded my fin straps to atomic spring straps. It was the best upgrade I could ever made to my fins. Now I have no trouble putting on my fins and taking them off. Not mention they adjust automatically without me worrying about it. Thanks for the advance. I really enjoy your videos and keep them coming.
Great video. I always figured full foot was for both snorkeling and scuba diving in warm water, but I suppose they might just be for snorkeling (I certainly just used my boots and strap fins when I was down south some years ago).
can you do a vid on split fins and show how they work and the reason for them because my dad was complaining how they do not work but i like them and i would love a vid on how they work
I have tried sea wing nova, they bungee strap is so tight, It is uncomfortable plus material of these fins differ from the other fins. The material is hard. Try them for at least 10 minutes before buying them. Have a safe dive.
There are 4 different sizes of straps. Because of the unique and roomy foot pocket, the strap that comes with the fin may not be the best for your foot. We are happy to change the straps for our customers. See what your store will do for you. Since the straps are not adjustable, beyond the bungee stretch, they should be willing to change them. Thanks again for watching. Alec
as a guy who goes freediving as well, I need to clarify something: Closed fin is also worn with a sock (or boot), however it can be worn on bare feet as well so a lot of people do not know about the socks/shoes/boots used for closed fin
Quite right. The full foot fin is sized to fit a range of foot sizes. So it might be size 7-8, or 9-10 and so on. What that means is that a size 7 foot might find the 7-8 a bit loose or a size 10 1/2 will find the size 9-10 a bit too tight. So you can use a neoprene (foam rubber) sock from your dive store to fill the gap. It will also protect your foot from the fin a bit so the foot won't get sore and red after an hour of snorkeling. I've often sugested that one could wear an ordinary wool stocking for the same reason. It helps a bit. The point is that you need to take the time to get the right size fin and maybe get a thin neoprene sock to go with it. You'll be much happier and will enjoy diving a lot more. Any good dive store will take time to work with you to be sure you have the right fin. Thanks for watching. Alec
My Force Fins have just plain bungies. Lightweight, comfortable and powerful. I don't know why they aren't as popular with SCUBA diving. Just surfing style sports. But they work great for me under various circumstances.
Bungie fin straps are very common now. Most high-end fins come with them or a version of them. Cheaper fins still use rubber straps but many can be changed to bungies easily. Stainless steel springs straps were popular for a couple of years but bungies have pretty much replaced them - cheaper, easier to use and lighter. Alec
Coincidently, Scuba Pro has got a video on this fin that they shot at one of the shows. Come to find out, the reason for the hole located near the shoe in the fin was because there was dead space at that point where the water was not producing thrust. So, they cut it out.
I have a pair of Slingshot ones, and I really like them. A friend had those scubpro ones, and he was very fast. I wonder if it is his leg strength (he bikes) or the fins.
Fins are a tool to help divers move around. A strong diver with lousy fins might equal a slower diver with great fins and techniques. Maybe ask to test both together in a pool to decide which you prefer. Alec
Love your videos! New subscriber here, also quite new to scuba diving. I want to get my own gear. Can’t believe I’ve been diving with snorkeling fins the whole time.
Snorkeling fins are OK. The proper name is Full Foot Fins and lots of scuba divers wear them, in the tropics of course. But a real set of fins, Strap Fins, with boots makes a big difference. They give you a lot of protection from cold and marine life and from the fins themselves too. You can literally fin for hours on end with no discomfort. It's not the speed, although you have that. It's the comfort and efficiency. Good luck. Alec
Alec Peirce Scuba Thank you so much for taking the time to reply Alec! I love your videos! I think I’ll just do the right thing and get the Scubapro seawing nova. Have a wonderful weekend!
+Alec Peirce Seawing are perfect! If you take good care of them will last forever ... If you dive more than 2 time per day for a long time you might want to get the SS straps tho. (I've got a pair from 2012, used at the dive center with usually more than 4 dives per day - beach entry with lots of sharp rocks) Another interesting new fin... the SEAC F1. They have the S model with a different type of bungee, way better than Scubapro's and they are extremely light and positive buoyant ... They just got them out and I promise you'll be amazed! P.S. maybe it will be interesting to make a vid with different types of SCUBA fins (split, joint, paddle, military ...)
Hi Alec, great video. Tomorrow I will pick up my Seawing Novas, that should complete my scuba diving gear. I just became aware though that scuba pro has a Seawing Nova2 and a Seawing Nova Gorilla. Should I consider that latest version instead of the one the shop ordered. The original ones "Seawing Novas". Thank you.
As many others have already said, this video was very informative and much appreciated. Still, a question: do you have comments about the split design of fins with an opening going from the very end to the toe section of the fin?
could you please do a video on stories of when you where young and back in the "old days" of scuba i would really like to here thanksss !!!!!!! thanks! -isaac
I've had a few short stories about my earliest scuba experiences published in a several national dive magazines. I will try to find links to them for you. Alec
Hello Alec, I think you are a bit off base on the full foot fin. I wore them for many years until the Scuba Pro Jet fin came out and I switched. You just buy the size of full foot that allows a bootie to be worn in the pocket. You are entertaining to watch as you exude such energy. By the way I started diving and have done most of it here in SE Alaska so the full foot fin certainly works in the cold (my beginning class was in January of a cold year). Take care. Doug
Oh the Full Foot fin certainly has a place Doug. Generally, the strap fin is a bit more robust when comparing the same foot size. It's a bit bigger, stronger, stiffer usually, so most scuba divers will choose it. Plus the straps can make it easier on and especially off say, when climbing a boat ladder for example. But millions of divers use the Full Foot as their primary fins and, as you say, with the proper boot, they can be used in cold water too. Thanks for watching. Alec.
Those Scubapro Seawings look optimized for flutter kicking. Any ideas how well they perform when modified frogkicking, helicopter turning, and swimming backwards?
"I don't get these holes in the fins, apparently it's better, they did a lot of research, but to me it's just marketing talk." He says about the holes that 90% of all fins have at the start of the blade to reduce drag at the feet where you're not producing much thrust. "And here we have a radical fin. You see this little hole? That's not to hang your fins up. They found there's turbulence at the end of the fin, and this fixes it." He says about a tiny little insignificant hole that some fins have to hang your fins up. Make your mind up over how you feel about holes in your fins. Not saying the Scubapro fins aren't amazing. They probably are. (I never dove them). But dismissing research that has proven that reducing drag at the feet makes it easier to fin, and thereby providing more efficient thrust with the blade as "marketing speak", and believing the marketing nonsense of a tiny little hole at the end of the blade... I'm sure they've streamlined the hanging hole, and that has a tiny benefit, but I'm pretty sure you wouldn't notice the difference if that hole wasn't there.
It does not specify on the Scubapro website. The Seawing Nova's do say Positive buoyancy. Have to ask Scubapro directly or ask on www.scubaboard.com for the diving community to give feedback. A
I have the atomic yellow split fins but I thinking about upgrading my straps to spring straps. Should I stick to the current straps or go with the spring straps?
I favor the bungee-type straps over true spring straps made from steel springs. I've used them both and the bungees are much more comfortable, lighter and don't pinch either. Alec
@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter Thanks for the advice. I want to make sure I don't lose a fin while diving. I had that happened before but fortunately I was able to put the fin back on. I thought that replacing the straps with spring straps would prevent that from happening again.
I'm not a diver, due health issues, but I do like your videos. Your humor on any taken subject is just wonderful. Thank you for sharing your deep knowledge and history aspects.
I'm pleased that you're enjoying my idiocy.
If I'd had the pleasure of meeting you, it wouldn't be long before you realized that it's just my way.
I'm not in this world for a long time - I intend to enjoy myself.
I try to not get too irritated by the small stuff and I always look for the bright side of any situation. There usually is one, no matter how had it may be to find.
Take care.
Alec
Now this is a good vid. Informative and concise advice given clearly and precisely by someone who knows what he’s talking g about. Could not be better, or more useful. Thank you.
Much appreciate your comments and thanks for watching.
Alec
Great video Alec! Love your energy. Also, spring heels all day, every day!
Springheels are good. I actually now enjoy the newer bungee-style more.
Alec
Hey Alec!
I love the series. You should do an episode about full-face masks, and the advantages and disadvantages of using this type of gear for recreational diving.
Keep up the great work!
When I leaned to do scuba I got certified in a pair of mares Avanti Quattro 3 weeks later is was doing a rec dive and decided to rent out some jet fins, my god the amount of power in the frog kick is just so good I will never go back to a normal fin jet fins are truly the best
Every fin review video talks about the foot pocket, the different materials in the blade and the angle of the blade, those things can be easily seen in a photo. Also every fin claims to be very efficient and give you a lot of thrust.
But what about the fin's responsiveness? Different kicks? Weight? Buoyancy? Those are the factors that people need to choose the right fin, and no one talks about them.
Anyway, I love your tech videos and I'm watching them all. Keep on!
Sir, because if your communication skills, I am spending more money on equipment that has proven to be an excellent choice. Thanks again!
Thanks for sharing Tom. Good gear lasts the longest if taken care of by a knowledgable diver, just like you.
SUPERB ! THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR GREAT WORK, SPIRIT AND VIDEOS ! 👍
You remind me of my first sales manager, he taught me a lot about sales, and you are very knowledgeable about your products! I enjoy your videos!
Thanks for watching Jimmy.
Alec
I love my Seawing Novas
Always great videos, thank you Alec, keep up the great video Sean
Love our seawings. Wife has white and pink ones to match what color gear she wears.
They are hard to beat. Excellent performance, light and good looking too.
Alec
Hi. Alec. I recently upgraded my fin straps to atomic spring straps. It was the best upgrade I could ever made to my fins. Now I have no trouble putting on my fins and taking them off. Not mention they adjust automatically without me worrying about it. Thanks for the advance. I really enjoy your videos and keep them coming.
Thanks for watching Jess.
Alec
Great video. I always figured full foot was for both snorkeling and scuba diving in warm water, but I suppose they might just be for snorkeling (I certainly just used my boots and strap fins when I was down south some years ago).
Love your presentation, thanks.
Thanks Alec , i bought the seawing nova and I can’t wait to try it out I’m go next week to do some dives, great advice.
I think you'll love them.
Alec
I love those Scubapro SeaWings. Just upgraded to a pair recently.
Another great video, thanks.
can you do a vid on split fins and show how they work and the reason for them because my dad was complaining how they do not work but i like them and i would love a vid on how they work
As great as usual, keep it up guys
Wow great advice Thanks!
I have tried sea wing nova, they bungee strap is so tight, It is uncomfortable plus material of these fins differ from the other fins. The material is hard. Try them for at least 10 minutes before buying them. Have a safe dive.
There are 4 different sizes of straps. Because of the unique and roomy foot pocket, the strap that comes with the fin may not be the best for your foot.
We are happy to change the straps for our customers. See what your store will do for you. Since the straps are not adjustable, beyond the bungee stretch, they should be willing to change them.
Thanks again for watching.
Alec
so helpful
Thanks Amy. Alec
as a guy who goes freediving as well, I need to clarify something: Closed fin is also worn with a sock (or boot), however it can be worn on bare feet as well so a lot of people do not know about the socks/shoes/boots used for closed fin
Quite right. The full foot fin is sized to fit a range of foot sizes. So it might be size 7-8, or 9-10 and so on. What that means is that a size 7 foot might find the 7-8 a bit loose or a size 10 1/2 will find the size 9-10 a bit too tight. So you can use a neoprene (foam rubber) sock from your dive store to fill the gap. It will also protect your foot from the fin a bit so the foot won't get sore and red after an hour of snorkeling. I've often sugested that one could wear an ordinary wool stocking for the same reason. It helps a bit.
The point is that you need to take the time to get the right size fin and maybe get a thin neoprene sock to go with it. You'll be much happier and will enjoy diving a lot more. Any good dive store will take time to work with you to be sure you have the right fin.
Thanks for watching. Alec
My Force Fins have just plain bungies. Lightweight, comfortable and powerful. I don't know why they aren't as popular with SCUBA diving. Just surfing style sports. But they work great for me under various circumstances.
Bungie fin straps are very common now. Most high-end fins come with them or a version of them. Cheaper fins still use rubber straps but many can be changed to bungies easily.
Stainless steel springs straps were popular for a couple of years but bungies have pretty much replaced them - cheaper, easier to use and lighter.
Alec
Coincidently, Scuba Pro has got a video on this fin that they shot at one of the shows. Come to find out, the reason for the hole located near the shoe in the fin was because there was dead space at that point where the water was not producing thrust. So, they cut it out.
Thats true, but the hole is great for hanging up also.
Alec
yea.
Alec, can you tell us about the "natures wing" principal and the efficiency of those fins please.
Lovely video by the way.
the idea was to reduce drag created from wingtip vortices around the edges of the fin, similar to winglets on planes
Love my springs
Me too but then I tried the bungees and I love them even more.
The darn springs were always pinching my fingers.
Thanks for your comment.
Alec
I haven’t been pinched yet. I’ll look out for bungee’s
great video
I have a pair of Slingshot ones, and I really like them. A friend had those scubpro ones, and he was very fast. I wonder if it is his leg strength (he bikes) or the fins.
Fins are a tool to help divers move around. A strong diver with lousy fins might equal a slower diver with great fins and techniques. Maybe ask to test both together in a pool to decide which you prefer.
Alec
Great info!! Thanks!!
I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.
Alec
Love your videos! New subscriber here, also quite new to scuba diving. I want to get my own gear. Can’t believe I’ve been diving with snorkeling fins the whole time.
Snorkeling fins are OK. The proper name is Full Foot Fins and lots of scuba divers wear them, in the tropics of course.
But a real set of fins, Strap Fins, with boots makes a big difference.
They give you a lot of protection from cold and marine life and from the fins themselves too. You can literally fin for hours on end with no discomfort. It's not the speed, although you have that. It's the comfort and efficiency.
Good luck.
Alec
Alec Peirce Scuba Thank you so much for taking the time to reply Alec! I love your videos! I think I’ll just do the right thing and get the Scubapro seawing nova. Have a wonderful weekend!
Hello, thanks for your very interesting videos, could you make one about servicing first stages? thank you very much
I have several 1st stage related videos so scroll down the Scuba Tech Tip playlists to find them.
Thanks for watching.
Alec
The stretch strap fins a great until they get older and come off while your finning along.
+Alec Peirce Seawing are perfect! If you take good care of them will last forever ... If you dive more than 2 time per day for a long time you might want to get the SS straps tho. (I've got a pair from 2012, used at the dive center with usually more than 4 dives per day - beach entry with lots of sharp rocks)
Another interesting new fin... the SEAC F1. They have the S model with a different type of bungee, way better than Scubapro's and they are extremely light and positive buoyant ... They just got them out and I promise you'll be amazed!
P.S. maybe it will be interesting to make a vid with different types of SCUBA fins (split, joint, paddle, military ...)
+Tudor F
Thanks.
I'll look at Seac.
Alec
Which fin do you recommend for the Frog Stroke. I understand they have to be stiffer.By the way thanks for your videos.
Hi Alec, great video. Tomorrow I will pick up my Seawing Novas, that should complete my scuba diving gear. I just became aware though that scuba pro has a Seawing Nova2 and a Seawing Nova Gorilla. Should I consider that latest version instead of the one the shop ordered. The original ones "Seawing Novas". Thank you.
There's no noticeable difference that I can feel. I use the original Nova and love it.
I assume you got those really nice Hot Pink ones!!
Alec
As many others have already said, this video was very informative and much appreciated. Still, a question: do you have comments about the split design of fins with an opening going from the very end to the toe section of the fin?
I just found another of your videos devoted (among other things) to the split fin: ua-cam.com/video/LjsTDnDs8Ks/v-deo.html.
could you please do a video on stories of when you where young and back in the "old days" of scuba i would really like to here thanksss !!!!!!! thanks! -isaac
I've had a few short stories about my earliest scuba experiences published in a several national dive magazines.
I will try to find links to them for you.
Alec
Alec Peirce at the Ranch did you find those stories??
Hello Alec, I think you are a bit off base on the full foot fin. I wore them for many years until the Scuba Pro Jet fin came out and I switched. You just buy the size of full foot that allows a bootie to be worn in the pocket. You are entertaining to watch as you exude such energy. By the way I started diving and have done most of it here in SE Alaska so the full foot fin certainly works in the cold (my beginning class was in January of a cold year). Take care. Doug
Oh the Full Foot fin certainly has a place Doug. Generally, the strap fin is a bit more robust when comparing the same foot size. It's a bit bigger, stronger, stiffer usually, so most scuba divers will choose it. Plus the straps can make it easier on and especially off say, when climbing a boat ladder for example. But millions of divers use the Full Foot as their primary fins and, as you say, with the proper boot, they can be used in cold water too.
Thanks for watching. Alec.
Hey Alec, what do you think of the slip fin design?
Those Scubapro Seawings look optimized for flutter kicking. Any ideas how well they perform when modified frogkicking, helicopter turning, and swimming backwards?
I'm not sure. I'm a flutter man myself.
However, many of our tekkie types are using them so I have to assume they're OK.
"I don't get these holes in the fins, apparently it's better, they did a lot of research, but to me it's just marketing talk." He says about the holes that 90% of all fins have at the start of the blade to reduce drag at the feet where you're not producing much thrust.
"And here we have a radical fin. You see this little hole? That's not to hang your fins up. They found there's turbulence at the end of the fin, and this fixes it." He says about a tiny little insignificant hole that some fins have to hang your fins up.
Make your mind up over how you feel about holes in your fins.
Not saying the Scubapro fins aren't amazing. They probably are. (I never dove them). But dismissing research that has proven that reducing drag at the feet makes it easier to fin, and thereby providing more efficient thrust with the blade as "marketing speak", and believing the marketing nonsense of a tiny little hole at the end of the blade... I'm sure they've streamlined the hanging hole, and that has a tiny benefit, but I'm pretty sure you wouldn't notice the difference if that hole wasn't there.
We will never know about the hole's true purpose unless an independent test is performed. Until then, they hang on my garage wall perfectly.
A
the straps makes my foot hurt
Did Scubapro supernova fins float ?
It does not specify on the Scubapro website. The Seawing Nova's do say Positive buoyancy. Have to ask Scubapro directly or ask on www.scubaboard.com for the diving community to give feedback.
A
can you make a series of footage of you diving?
Ooooh! Now you're getting creepy.
Why would you want to see me diving?
Besides, you wouldn't even recognize me since I always wear a mask.
Alec
+Scuba 2000 not like that! haha no footage of what you see underwater
Oh. Ok. Let me see what I can find.
Usually I'm the one taking pictures but I'm sure there's some.
I have the atomic yellow split fins but I thinking about upgrading my straps to spring straps. Should I stick to the current straps or go with the spring straps?
I favor the bungee-type straps over true spring straps made from steel springs.
I've used them both and the bungees are much more comfortable, lighter and don't pinch either.
Alec
@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter Thanks for the advice. I want to make sure I don't lose a fin while diving. I had that happened before but fortunately I was able to put the fin back on. I thought that replacing the straps with spring straps would prevent that from happening again.
Are the bungee user replaceable?
Oh yes. And cheaper than the steel spring straps too.
Alec
What do you think about the rk3’s?
Very good fins. Lots of propulsion.
So are the Cressi Frog fins. Similar selling points.
The white fin looks like a sting ray
They really show up in low vis or at night.
Diana and I love them for that reason too.
Alec
KMichelle Argus. My wife has the white ones. They look very cool. I have the black ones.
👍✳️👍✳️👍✳️
Thanks. Alec