Modifying Fins?

Discussion in 'Global Bodyboarding Talk' started by Scarecrow, Jul 15, 2008.

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  1. Jul 15, 2008 #1
    Scarecrow

    Scarecrow Well-Known Member

    590
    Nov 30, 2007
    I got a new pair of fins, the 5" Vipers, yellow dot.
    They're really comfortable but I think they've got too
    much thrust for me--I've got a fallen arch in my left
    foot and after using the fins a few times I've got a
    sharp pain on the outside of the foot if I try to kick
    with the fins on. I'm gonna wait for the foot to recover
    and then try using them again, but I really can't afford to
    screw up that foot more than it already is--so before I go and shell
    out $40-$50 for yet another pair of fins, I'm thinking
    of cutting these down a bit to try and reduce the thrust.
    I know that people cut a bit off the blade of one of their
    fins for drop-knee riding, but does anyone do it just to
    reduce thrust? And if so, how much would you cut off, and
    would you cut them at an angle so they'd have blades like
    churchills, or just cut them straight across?

    TIA
     
    Scarecrow, Jul 15, 2008
    Scarecrow, Jul 15, 2008
  3. Jul 15, 2008 #2
    tbing

    tbing Well-Known Member

    595
    May 27, 2008
    Instead of cutting off the fin straight across. The ridge that goes along the fin (stiff part) just cut a little slot inbetween that and the rest of it. This will give the fin more flex without losing area that you kick with. It will leave you with more capable thrusting power but it will be flexible as well.
     
    tbing, Jul 15, 2008
    tbing, Jul 15, 2008

  5. Jul 15, 2008 #3
    Scarecrow

    Scarecrow Well-Known Member

    590
    Nov 30, 2007
    On both sides? I imagine you mean to cut a little 'V' shaped notch out of it? Sounds like a good idea.

    Also, what would you use to cut it with--it's really thick tough rubber and I don't think regular scissors will work.

    Thanks!
     
    Scarecrow, Jul 15, 2008
    Scarecrow, Jul 15, 2008
  6. Jul 15, 2008 #4
    tbing

    tbing Well-Known Member

    595
    May 27, 2008
    I don't know exactly what your fins look like. But I got churchills. The stiff part that runs along the sides which gives it the thrust. If you were just to cut a straight line (or a very thin V) to ensure that the fin is still there. It would give the nose of the fin a lot of flex. Just enough so that the fin will flex in the middle. After you do that, you can always cut the stiff part off later when you have it where you want it if you don't want those stiff things just kinda sticking out.

    Make sure you don't cut too far. Its better to go small, test it out then cut again if you need to.

    Box cutter? Razor blade? Those should work cutting it. Don't do it with your foot in the fin :cool:
     
    tbing, Jul 15, 2008
    tbing, Jul 15, 2008
  7. Jul 15, 2008 #5
    Scarecrow

    Scarecrow Well-Known Member

    590
    Nov 30, 2007
    OK, that sounds good. They've got vertical side rails down each side of the blade, similar to the churchills, but higher I think. Maybe an Exacto knife will work. thanks.
     
    Scarecrow, Jul 15, 2008
    Scarecrow, Jul 15, 2008
  8. Jul 15, 2008 #6
    tbing

    tbing Well-Known Member

    595
    May 27, 2008
    Good luck :)
     
    tbing, Jul 15, 2008
    tbing, Jul 15, 2008
  9. Jul 15, 2008 #7
    ExtremeSpongerChicks

    ExtremeSpongerChicks Guest

    Tools

    I used both a utility knife and scissors to modify my left churchill fin. I cut slowly with the scissors first then carved out the remaining rubber with the utility knife. Good luck!
     
    ExtremeSpongerChicks, Jul 15, 2008
    ExtremeSpongerChicks, Jul 15, 2008
  10. Jul 15, 2008 #8
    ExtremeSpongerChicks

    ExtremeSpongerChicks Guest

    ....

    BTW...Exacto knives are great for precision cutting (pics, paper, posters, etc) but I'm not sure if the blade can handle cutting through pretty thick rubber.....just a thought....
     
    ExtremeSpongerChicks, Jul 15, 2008
    ExtremeSpongerChicks, Jul 15, 2008
  11. Jul 15, 2008 #9
    Spongah

    Spongah Well-Known Member

    134
    Jul 19, 2007
    Kicks
    Kicks
    Kicks
    Kicks
    Kicks
    Kicks
    Kicks
    Kicks
    Kicks
    Kicks
    Kicks

    *this is not subliminal messaging*
     
    Spongah, Jul 15, 2008
    Spongah, Jul 15, 2008
  12. Jul 15, 2008 #10
    ExtremeSpongerChicks

    ExtremeSpongerChicks Guest

    Really???

    HAAAHAA...really? We've never personally seen kicks available at our local surf shops...are they online order only?? I have to look these critters up! I had the worst stage 2 to 3 pressure/shearing going on due to a larger left foot...right below the ankle on the bony prominence. Anywho...I'm going to go research KICKS :)
     
    ExtremeSpongerChicks, Jul 15, 2008
    ExtremeSpongerChicks, Jul 15, 2008
  13. Jul 15, 2008 #11
    Spongah

    Spongah Well-Known Member

    134
    Jul 19, 2007
    You can get them at East Coast Bodyboards or ebodyboarding.com.

    I have arthritis in one of my feet, and a farked up ankle, so I hate fins. The only 2 fins I can deal with are Makapuus and Kicks. Kicks, however, are my total favorite. Rounded blade have decent thrust, foot pocket is comfy, ankle strap is low and thin. Plus I can walk in them with no issue - backwards and forwards. Good also for DK. They also don't drag like some fins do, yanno? Like if you have good shorey and are in a closeout barrel or something, you don't want something on your feet that drag...

    LOVE THEM.

    :D:D:D:D:D:D:D
     
    Spongah, Jul 15, 2008
    Spongah, Jul 15, 2008
  14. Jul 16, 2008 #12
    Scarecrow

    Scarecrow Well-Known Member

    590
    Nov 30, 2007
    Haven't started snipping yet....

    I went out this morning in my Churchill Slashers, which are somewhat uncomfortable but fairly easy to walk in, and they don't aggravate my screwed up foot. I may be able to get through the summer with these, my feet seem to be growing nice calluses, but the Vipers fit comfortably over a pair of 3mm socks, so they may be my winter fins, at least.

    I'm gonna start by cutting the side rails on the Vipers and if that doesn't do the trick I may just cut the blade across at an angle like the Churchills.

    I'd like to try Kicks, Techs, Pods, Lagunas, and all sorts of other fins but all they sell locally is Churchills. I ordered the Vipers from ebodyboarding. They're size medium, a bit loose, but OK with fin socks and ankle pads.

    thanks, y'all.
     
    Scarecrow, Jul 16, 2008
    Scarecrow, Jul 16, 2008
  15. Jul 16, 2008 #13
    Cwhite

    Cwhite Well-Known Member

    588
    May 19, 2006
    If you cut them @ the angle of churchills there will be added pressure/stress on the long side of the flipper to your ankles. Though not as much due to the vipers being much more narrow.
     
    Cwhite, Jul 16, 2008
    Cwhite, Jul 16, 2008
  16. Jul 16, 2008 #14
    Scarecrow

    Scarecrow Well-Known Member

    590
    Nov 30, 2007
    Do you mean that this stress on the ankles would be worse in cut-down Vipers than it is in the Churchills? Because the Churchills I've got don't bother my ankles now.

    Or would you recommend maybe taking an inch or so off the tip of the blade in a straight line across the tip of the fin?
     
    Scarecrow, Jul 16, 2008
    Scarecrow, Jul 16, 2008
  17. Jul 16, 2008 #15
    Cwhite

    Cwhite Well-Known Member

    588
    May 19, 2006
    Very little you can do to vipers without comprimising the integrity of the fin. Cutting the fin a bit shorter will not make much of a difference. Vipers were designed to have that powerful thrust. Really the only way you can make them have more flex is removing the rail blades on the top & bottom of the fin. There is a good chance that you could ruin the fins by doing so. Better off saving for a new pair of fins.
     
    Cwhite, Jul 16, 2008
    Cwhite, Jul 16, 2008
  18. Jul 17, 2008 #16
    Chris Joyner

    Chris Joyner Moderator

    690
    May 23, 2006
    Well spoken and so true. Remind me to try your fins next time Chuck, I am still thinking of picking up a stash of Redleys to hold on to. :)
     
    Chris Joyner, Jul 17, 2008
    Chris Joyner, Jul 17, 2008
  19. Jul 19, 2008 #17
    CurtFlirt732

    CurtFlirt732 Guest

    most reasons people cut fins are to help with DKing i find the most comfortable fins are techs cause ive got such a wide foot and redleys
     
    CurtFlirt732, Jul 19, 2008
    CurtFlirt732, Jul 19, 2008
  20. Jul 20, 2008 #18
    Chris Joyner

    Chris Joyner Moderator

    690
    May 23, 2006
    Yeah man, was sad to see Redley's leave the scene. I think I have rocked those for 13+ years.
     
    Chris Joyner, Jul 20, 2008
    Chris Joyner, Jul 20, 2008
  21. Jul 29, 2008 #19
    Scarecrow

    Scarecrow Well-Known Member

    590
    Nov 30, 2007
    Update: My foot's killing me.....

    Well, I did try snipping the rails on the Vipers, it didn't seem to reduce the thrust noticeably and after 10 minutes my foot was killing me...this was a couple of weeks ago and now my foot hurts no matter what fin I wear because the Viper really strained it. The Churchills hurt it now, and I got a pair of Kicks, which I do like for the comfort, but they're also killing the weak foot.

    I can't stop bodyboarding, 'cause I'm like an addict, even when the surf is tiny, like this morning I was out paddling for 18" waves, and having some fun at it, too.

    So now I'm considering taking the old and kind of uncomfortable Churchills and cutting off the outside of the left fin at an angle so there'll be less thrust there at the outside of the left foot, hopefully I can continue to bodyboard while the foot recovers, then switch over to unmodified Kicks.

    I gave the Vipers to Mr. Scarecrow, he seems to like them even though he has wide feet.
     
    Scarecrow, Jul 29, 2008
    Scarecrow, Jul 29, 2008
  22. Jul 29, 2008 #20
    Spongah

    Spongah Well-Known Member

    134
    Jul 19, 2007
    Tape up your ankle?? I tape mine because I have no ligamentous support in my right ankle, plus I fractured the distal part of the fibula way back when.

    = )
     
    Spongah, Jul 29, 2008
    Spongah, Jul 29, 2008
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