I've ridden shortboards since '80. only since Nov 2004 have I ridden mats.

i use Voit Duckfeet, and after I catch a wave adn kick back out to the lineup, it just feels like i'm going so * slow! Frustrates me.

how about you who ride kneeboards adn flexspoons - how does yr speed compare to someone on a surfboard? (not incl longboards) what about compared to a mat?

correction: i've been on mats since late Nov 2005.

Hey, I have the same fins (used to use UDTs but too much of a strain on my feet/legs)

I do feel like I am going really slow, but that is only on my new spoon. On my mat I feel like Im flying around and I dont get tired. I guess just keep paddling and youll get use to it.

one conclusion I've come to is that paddling a spoon is much more physically demanding than paddling a foam board(or mat) as you are paddling in and thru the water rather than on top of it.

ummagumma said:


True in flat water. Now compare the 2 paddling out thru 6-8' whitewater. Or sitting inside in the impact zone to catch waves. Each tool - boards, spoons, mats, bodyboards - has advantages and disadvantages. Some days at certain spots you can paddle out and ride waves on a spoon and guys on foam boards can't get out.

Ummagumma,
Try modifying your UDT's. Anything's better than having them sit in a closet. Cut an inch off the end with a saw. Do it straight across or at a diagonal, long edge out. Then grind or shave down the center ridge/spine on both sides. I found more leverage, power and maneuverability that way. If you can't tell the difference, take off another inch. There's a reason everyone who gets them ends up modifying them, except bodysurfers. I'd say even modified they give 20% more power than Duck Feet.

funny, but i'da thought the spoons would be more efficient moving through the water than a mat.

I think of swimming - you swim 'downhill', but with a mat, you can't really help but swim 'uphill' , and thereby pushing a lot of water.

I'm soon gonna be getting me some UDTs - but although I'm a little frustrated with what seems to me a slow kickin/cruisn speed, the Duckfeet do get me into waves quite well.

Question for Flexers: will longer fins be a disadvantage with a flexspoon? I'm thinking all that extra length hangin off the tail will affect the flex in that area. Most flexer use shorter Churchill, yes/no?

(Mine.) Don't worry, Duck Feet won't hang off the end. UDT's are only inches longer, less when modified. They won't hang off, either, but being a bit heavier and stiffer, they might make a tiny difference. If you stick to one pair of fins and ride your board enough, you'll know whether to grind a little off the tail or add a little, like the flexmeister did. BTW, he's the only one I know who wears Churchills, but he's an ex-competitive swimmer, so he gets away with it.

Churchills

Tim and I both wear Churchills. Started with Duckfeet in the '60s, graduated to Green Churchills then on to the orange and blue Churchills.

Another case of we just don't know any better - just use what works.

Funny as a competitive swimmer the thing I was worst at was "flutter kick" with a kickboard. Now I swim in the pool every day(except days when I surf) with a kickboard and Churchills doing flutter kick! If my dad(the coach) could see me now.

What is the "knock" on Churchills compared to other fins?

I still will get a pair of UDT's to try(in the pool first) and I'm sure I will trim them ala Greenough.

Time for the pool - Rincon is looking good for Sunday! Size will be running 2-4 feet overhead at most west facing breaks and DOH on the better sets at standouts according to Wetsand.

Maybe some pics..