On Dec 30, 4:54 am, "Larry L" wrote:
"Mike" wrote
I am quite intrigued by the paddles, they donīt look as though they
would give you very much propulsion though. Could you wear them as
well as the normal fins? I am just trying to visualise how they work.
They don't give much propulsion at all
Look at te second photo ... The left boot has the paddle in the back
position, the one it assumes as you push your foot forward, the idea is to
create as little drag as possible .... the right boot has the paddle out as
it is when you pull your leg to the rear .. 'grabbing' a bit of water and
propelling you forward
They work so poorly I only used them a couple times ( years ago ) and never
with any attempt to also use fins
OK, thanks. I think the principle at least is clear. It occurs to me
that a similar arrangement with two fins mounted on a central hinge,
and as long as from your heel to your calf, a bit like a bellows.
closing when you move your leg forward, and opening flat when you
moved it backwards in a rough "walking motion" would give you a lot
more propulsion. Probably a lot more tiring than even using fins
though.
I once saw something which looked like a pyramid shaped funnel used
for similar purposes, it was strapped to both legs though. Moving the
legs forward simply pushed the cone through the water, moving back
grabbed the water in the cone and gave quite a bit of propulsion, but
it was apparently difficult and quite exhausting to use.
Interesting idea though. Very similar to these, which I just found
while looking for a picture of the water walkers I was about to refer
to
http://www.writerscollective.org/wat...terWalkers.htm
Anyway, I once tried to fish using another type of ( home made)
"water walkers", which were basically two expanded polystyrene floats
worn on the feet, but it was a disaster. Even with vanes fitted they
were extremely difficult and tiring to use. Couldnīt find a picture of
them, but there used to be some on the web. Ah, found a video, here
they are ;
http://www.guzer.com/videos/water_walking_boots.php
TL
MC