Out in the water, I felt like I had nothing on my feet and they definitely lacked the lazy raw power of the UDTs for cruising out to the take off spot. I also found myself reaching down to try to push them further on to my feet as the ankle straps just didn't feel like they had enough tautness to keep them on. It didn't seem to be a problem though and I got used to the sensation after awhile. I also had to change my kicking action, as they are much shorter, so it was back to a kick generated from the knee rather than the hip. I was also missing the length of the UDTs which allow one to more easily kick at the same time as well as arm paddle. As I was on the Tracker, DaFins were just not quite long enough to get properly into the water with out sliding further back on the mat which made it more difficult to arm paddle.
My take off procedure with the UDTs is to generate plenty of forward momentum and use some big porpoising kicks to get on to the wave. This procedure did not work for DaFins as they just did not have enough power to gain as much momentum so it was sit a little deeper and flutter kick like mad to get on the wave. This worked pretty well as they are quite wide fins but did result in considerable energy expenditure and it was probably a shorter session ultimately because of that. Once I was on a wave I seemed to be using the mat to maintain position on the face more than usual as I am in the not so useful habit of using the UDTs to assist. The DaFins were out of the water more and I was going faster so that was an added bonus. I really must start to get my fins out of the water if they are not needed 'cos I love that speed! When I did need to dip a fin, the fact that the verticals on the DaFins do not extend to the tip, meant they did not seem to provide the same degree of assist as the UDTs. Will I be using DaFins when I take out a mat in future? No, they just don't cut it for mat surfing in the way that the UDTs do. However, they are definitely better than my POD 2s so next time I take out a hand board DaFins will be on my feet along with some fin straps securing them to my ankles!
I have no direct experience so my opinion is useless but I have heard good things. Shorter than my beloved duck feet but a tad wider at the tips and with those water catching rails it might be a tie, forward propulsion wise. I have used techs, with the grooved rails and noticed a bit of extra control when you are using them to dig into the wave face. I found a place that sells them in my general area and I thought about stopping by to see if they fit
ReplyDeleteI have a pair and also a pair of kicks made by dafin the kicks are rounded on the tip and a little more flex. the standard I use in 4ft and larger waves the kicks in smaller waves. they run on the small size so make sure you try them on and maybe a test drive if they are nice, good luck
ReplyDeletePhenomenal!!!
ReplyDeleteThose side rails are amazing and you have the perfect combo of short burst/long glide. As an owner of both Tech 1 and Da Fin "Big Bu" (the XXL foot size) I can say there is no comparison in hold when riding.
GO GET 'EM ROBIN!!!
G
Ah interesting, thanks for that guys. That vacant post was made accidentally as I managed to delete my entire report and had not realised that I had posted without anything in it. I will rewrite it if I manage to get through this hell day I have ahead of me. In summary not bad but the UDTS are definitely the way to go. The DaFins just lack power unless one thrashes oneself to a exhausted wreck. The UDTS in comparison provide enormous power with far less effort. The DaFins seem too flimsily built to seriously hold one in a wave face also and I found myself having to manipulate the mat more to stay in the face whereas a UDT casually stuck in does the job beautifully. I will use DaFins when I go out with a handboard though.
ReplyDeletei hate to spoil the party...but...your fins dont need to be what holds you in/ on the wave, in fact it is better read faster to not have them even in the water.the mat will hold in with out dragging your fins .but udeets rule
ReplyDeleteThanks Warren. You are right of course. In the review that I wrote, that went missing, I did mention that I seemed to be relying on the mat more to stay in the face and added speed was the bonus from using DaFins. I also mentioned that I have a bad habit of forgetting to get my fins out of the water and I am determined to start doing so more often as I love that speed. UDTS sure as hell do rule! It was amazing to experience them again after using DaFins. Such power! Awesome!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could handle the UDTs but I feel that my ankles are going to explode when I used them, DaFins are only fins I've tried that give me enough power while not noticing they are on my feet.
ReplyDeleteYou certainly know they are on your feet that is for sure. I'm interested to try some of the Duck Feet that Prana and a few others use.
ReplyDeleteIt is a very personal choice. I like the Duck feet as they, for me, occupy that niche between the awesome power of UDTs with some of the comfort of the smaller fins.
ReplyDeleteWhat size did you have Robin?
ReplyDeleteI might try some UDT's to give the "from Da Fins" perspective.
G
Actually, I may try Duck Feet. No way am I wearing half a stone on my feet.
ReplyDeleteHow much shorter are V-Ducks than Duck Feet?
G
Medium - DaFins. I know nothing about V-Ducks. If you are comfortable with the DaFins not much point using the UDTs as they are going to feel just terrible for you I imagine. I felt out of balance with the DaFins because I am used to having more weight on my feet.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. The reason I asked was mine are the XXL Da Fins (AKA Big Bu). It's bizarre but they're almost a different fin cause they're huge!
ReplyDeleteI emailed Jay Reale at eBodyboarding.com about the different fins as I thought about giving Duckfeet a go (lighter than UDTs but similar size). I asked about V-Ducks and he said they're basically Duckfeet wih 2" cut off and that the length is about the same as Big Bu's but narrower. It makes me wonder if I might have a different experience with the other sizes of D Fin.
G
That sounds like the answer. A lot of matters use the Duckfeet. I am going to try a pair of them next as they seem a good compromise
ReplyDelete