Scott Friesen, Former Clearance Diver in the Canadian Navy, SDI/TDI Instructor,
Alpha Diver Services
As a dive instructor and scuba shop owner, I tend to use my dive gear on a daily
basis. You know what gear works well under all conditions and what you can rely
on. In my former job as a Clearance Diver in the Canadian Navy, I used Turtle Fins
almost exclusively. I made many dives all over the world using those fins and never
thought of changing. When I retired from the military and bought a dive shop, I
continued to use those fins because that is what I was used to.
One day I had a customer come in to rent some gear. He was probably 6'6" tall and
had size 15 feet. We were able to outfit him with everything except fins. None of the
fins in our rental department fit him comfortably. As a last resort I reluctantly let him
rent my Turtle Fins. When he returned from his dive, he asked me to sell him the
fins as they were the only ones that he had used that had fit his feet. I gave in and
sold him my fins. On my next several dives I tried various fins we had in stock and
in rental but couldn't find any to my liking. Many were too stiff, or were too snug
when wearing a drysuit. I mentioned my fin woes to one of my suppliers one day
and he suggested trying out a pair of Mantarays. He was a former commercial
diver and had always used Jet Fins and Turtle Fins, but now he swore by these fins.
I decided it wouldn't hurt to give them a try. I was very comfortable diving with these
fins right from the first dive. I was amazed at how much forward thrust was
achieved with such a small blade. They worked great even when diving with
doubles and carrying multiple stage bottles. They have just the right amount of flex
and are so light it feels like you are not wearing any fins at all. The smaller blade
size makes it easier to climb up dive boat ladders as well. I have about 250 dives
on Mantarays Fins now and wouldn't think of using anything else.
Congratulations on a well designed fin.
Sincerely,
Scott Friesen
SDI/TDI Instructor
Alpha Dive Services
Alpha Diver Services
As a dive instructor and scuba shop owner, I tend to use my dive gear on a daily
basis. You know what gear works well under all conditions and what you can rely
on. In my former job as a Clearance Diver in the Canadian Navy, I used Turtle Fins
almost exclusively. I made many dives all over the world using those fins and never
thought of changing. When I retired from the military and bought a dive shop, I
continued to use those fins because that is what I was used to.
One day I had a customer come in to rent some gear. He was probably 6'6" tall and
had size 15 feet. We were able to outfit him with everything except fins. None of the
fins in our rental department fit him comfortably. As a last resort I reluctantly let him
rent my Turtle Fins. When he returned from his dive, he asked me to sell him the
fins as they were the only ones that he had used that had fit his feet. I gave in and
sold him my fins. On my next several dives I tried various fins we had in stock and
in rental but couldn't find any to my liking. Many were too stiff, or were too snug
when wearing a drysuit. I mentioned my fin woes to one of my suppliers one day
and he suggested trying out a pair of Mantarays. He was a former commercial
diver and had always used Jet Fins and Turtle Fins, but now he swore by these fins.
I decided it wouldn't hurt to give them a try. I was very comfortable diving with these
fins right from the first dive. I was amazed at how much forward thrust was
achieved with such a small blade. They worked great even when diving with
doubles and carrying multiple stage bottles. They have just the right amount of flex
and are so light it feels like you are not wearing any fins at all. The smaller blade
size makes it easier to climb up dive boat ladders as well. I have about 250 dives
on Mantarays Fins now and wouldn't think of using anything else.
Congratulations on a well designed fin.
Sincerely,
Scott Friesen
SDI/TDI Instructor
Alpha Dive Services
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| FEATURED FIN TALES October 2007 |
| APS Mantaray Dive Fins Advanced-Aqua Propulsion System Dual Directional Water Channeling |
| BUS: 619.461.1328 FAX: 619.461.1347 |