|
|
Post by DavidRitchieWilson on Oct 17, 2023 5:06:26 GMT -8
I was standing at my local bus stop the other day when I spotted the T-shirt worn by another person also waiting at the stop. The design on the front of the T-shirt was headed "Sneaker Legends", followed by a list of many popular training shoe models in chronological order of their introduction. Here is the design in question: This set me wondering which models would merit inclusion in a similar table of "Flipper Legends" listing the most celebrated swimming fins over the decades. I have my own ideas on the topic, but for the moment I will keep my counsel and ask instead everybody else here which fin models they believed to be the most historically significant, and why? DRW |
|
|
|
Post by SeaRat on Oct 17, 2023 8:56:37 GMT -8
|
|
|
|
Post by nikeajax on Oct 17, 2023 13:20:00 GMT -8
But didn't Churchills predate the DF's?
JB
|
|
|
|
Post by SeaRat on Oct 17, 2023 13:26:48 GMT -8
But didn't Churchills predate the DF's? JB Yes, they did; Churchills were one of the first successful flippers, and area legend. I simply liked the Duck Feet better, as they have more power. I’ll see if I can find a Churchill photo to post here too. Both are legendary!  IMG_0295 by John Ratliff, on Flickr churchillswimfins.com/product/churchill-makapuu-pro/The lifeguards at High Rocks on the Clackamas River still use the Churchill fins, and they are still available. The lifeguards like them because they can walk in them. John |
|
|
|
Post by nikeajax on Oct 17, 2023 13:28:33 GMT -8
|
|
|
|
Post by SeaRat on Oct 17, 2023 17:04:41 GMT -8
Okay, back to fins. I don't know much about running shoes, other than that I had to switch from Nike to Brooks as my foot widened and the shoes apparenly narrowed. But the next flipper I nominate is the U.S. Divers Company Rocket Fins. These seemed to be copies of the Duck Feet fins, but with a difference in that the blade was curved a bit. Here's a few photos of this flipper.  IMG_1404 by John Ratliff, on Flickr  IMG_1403 by John Ratliff, on Flickr These are iconic fins (flippers) in that they were purchased by the U.S. Air Force for our Pararescue members to use. I did not like them as much as my Duck Feet, but a lot of the PJs used them.  Two USS photos by John Ratliff, on Flickr Note the Rocket Fins on the diver at the top of the photo, and the Duck Feet on the other swimmer. These, along with another iconic fin (later) by Voit are shown in the top photo from July of 1967. (My goodness, that was 56 years ago!) John |
|
|
|
Post by nikeajax on Oct 17, 2023 17:32:09 GMT -8
Cressi Rondines are an absolute must!   JB EDIT: I dare say that they might be the most copied/cloned fins ever! |
|
|
|
Post by artc on Oct 17, 2023 18:20:58 GMT -8
Sportsways 707’s
|
|
|
|
Post by midcenturyfrogman on Oct 18, 2023 12:30:07 GMT -8
OK, so these are just two of my personal favorites, but how about: Healthways Web Feet (basically duck feet knock-offs in natural brown rubber)  and Voit Vikings  |
|
|
|
Post by nikeajax on Oct 18, 2023 13:19:19 GMT -8
I had a boxed set of Web Feet, but I sold them to Ty for his collection:    As for the Vikings, I used them in my self-portrait:  JB |
|
|
|
Post by nikeajax on Oct 18, 2023 13:22:59 GMT -8
Right next to the Vikings are the Voit Skin Divers:   JB |
|
|
|
Post by midcenturyfrogman on Oct 18, 2023 14:45:40 GMT -8
I had a boxed set of Web Feet, but I sold them to Ty for his collection: As for the Vikings, I used them in my self-portrait: JB Dang son! Your HW web feet were in beautiful condition! Were the straps in good shape too? I have a set that's in decent shape, but the original straps are all cracked and trashed. Also, Voit Skindiver fins are definitely another classic, and a favorite mine as well 👍 |
|
|
|
Post by nikeajax on Oct 18, 2023 15:00:37 GMT -8
They would have been divable, but wouldn't have lasted too long due to their age: I knew it was only a matter of time before, SNAP! "Sunuvva (expletive deleted)!" I like to use my stuff whenever I can, but when something has been unused for that long I kinda "owe it to posterior" not to, like my virgin NIB, Scuba Star: I try to limit those kinds of posterior-treasures though  JB |
|
|
|
Post by vance on Oct 18, 2023 15:29:38 GMT -8
I think my first pair of fins were blue Cressis with the bird, probably in the early 60s.
|
|
|
|
Post by vance on Oct 18, 2023 15:30:46 GMT -8
I try to save my posterior whenever possible!  |
|
