21st Century Ducks

Looks like UDT/Duckfeet fins have finally moved from foot breaking technology towards something less hazardous:

http://surfmatters.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/next-gen-voits.html?m=1

I'm looking into the option of stocking the Duckfeet if people are interested.

Cheers

G

IN heated pool,anything becomes softer and more flexible!I'll believe it when I see it....

I like the look of the cut-down v-ducks. Definately want to add another pair to the collection so count me in. A UK stockist is long, long overdue.

I'd be worried that they've softened em up too much though. The thrust and propulsion you get with a hard black UDT is just awesome, current-defeating stuff.

Good idea G, if you can get them at the right price
My soft ducks work well,if you remember PG did an artical on them,he and GG looking for old worn in UDT's and ducks.
S.

Sounds like there might be a bit of movement on this.

Stay tuned...

G

I have a pair of the new Duckfeet on the way for testing. I'll give a review and will bring them to the next meet so people can get a look to decide whether to stock them.

G

With postage these have come to £65.70.



G

I know you might not want an Aussie w*anker weighing in here...

...but, these new Ducks are incredible! Had about half a dozen sessions now and they're really comfortable for me.
I feel like goldilocks

First the UDTs were too much all 'round

Then, the Dafins were perfect for bodysurfing, but lacked a little power for mat surfing

and finally, the duckfeet are just right in every possible way!

grinning

n s pye wrote:

...but, these new Ducks are incredible! Had about half a dozen sessions now and they're really comfortable for me.
I feel like goldilocks

First the UDTs were too much all 'round

Then, the Dafins were perfect for bodysurfing, but lacked a little power for mat surfing

and finally, the duckfeet are just right in every possible way!

grinning

How soft is the foot pocket compaired to the dafins?

Hi.

Picked up a pair of the new new (fugly) UDeeTs last weekend.
USD 50 plus USD 39 for 2 day UPS-overnight shipping within the continental USofA...

I´ve been using a pair of Redleys (barefoot only for spongeing) and lately a pair of Churchill Slashers on the mat (barefoot and with finsocks - one size-fits-both!).
Calf-cramps (sometimes thigh-cramps) after 90 Minutes+ in warm and cold water...
Thrust was comparable for both, but never really satisfactory.

Forgot (duh!!!) the Slashers at a hotel that didn´t "find" them, so I needed a new pair-a-fins.

Lasted three 2 hour swims this Sunday in the new UDeeTs at a very prominent central-Cal break!
Not only wasn´t I too worn out, but these thingies had much better thrust than the other two types.
I did have cramps near the end of each session, but attribute this mostly to the cool water and jet-lag.
AND, you most certainly have to wear finsocks!

The kick with UDeeTs is a bit slower, but stronger. Stretch the legs more and use your thighs better.
You have to start kicking earlier and get set up better to get the take-off right, too.
Flutter kicks work - if you have the strength.

Weight is rather high, though not felt in the water. Keep ´em under water, anyway, where they belong.

Will pick up a pair of the black/blue-ones, test them and most likely put up one pair for sale here in less than a month (shipping from Deutschland).
I´m a regular 10.5 US and size L fits as advertised with 3mm socks, albeit the big toes seem just a slight tad "tight".

Cheers.

Cheers for that write-up flyfisher. Good to hear a review of the new Udeets.

Poor old UDTs. They dont half get a bad press.

For the past three years Alison and I have been using nothing else in the water than Deets' 1st generation UDT Duck Feet of the all black Malaysian Rubber/soft footpocket/hard blade moulding. I can now wear them in the water for 4 hours straight and not have any trouble whatsoever from them. Best fin I've ever worn - period.

You have to condition your legs to really get on with them and after the first year of use they start to break in like a favourite pair of trainers. At least thats what I found. I have basically binned every other fin that I have owned including all my freediving long fins that are a crock in comparison.

As for weight and matsurfing I have not noticed any issues. In fact when you are taking off the weight of the UDTs can come into play if you fling your legs forward out the water its like getting a shove and the mat seems to respond.

My babies



Because of the stiff blade construction they essentially have unlimited power and thrust. The main variable is how strong your legs are and your finning endurance.

I imagine the new (non-UDT) Ducks are awesome too. However, the UDT is a true open water fin and needs to be seen as such. My theory is they've used the softer (footpocket) density rubber used on the previous mouldings throughout the whole fin on the new run. Should be a good score!

flyfisher wrote:
Weight is rather high, though not felt in the water. Keep ´em under water, anyway, where they belong.

Therein lies the problem for me. You see, when not making a turn or trying to lock the back corner in, I like to have me fins as free of the water as possible. I suffer with cramps at times if I don't take the right measures. I just envisage hamstring cramps.

My thinking right now, based on NSPye's comments to me is that DaFin will remain my go to fin with the Ducks being used on more predictable waves (points, reefs, etc) to get in a bit earlier.

G

GRAYMAN wrote:I just envisage hamstring cramps.

You'd have to be wearing leg weights mate. The weight is not that bad. You lot must have short legs!

1/4 of a stone each the traditional UDTs.

G

matt23 wrote:

n s pye wrote:

...but, these new Ducks are incredible! Had about half a dozen sessions now and they're really comfortable for me.
I feel like goldilocks

First the UDTs were too much all 'round

Then, the Dafins were perfect for bodysurfing, but lacked a little power for mat surfing

and finally, the duckfeet are just right in every possible way!

grinning

How soft is the foot pocket compaired to the dafins?

Matt23-
foot pocket is buttery. Thicker than the DaFins and a little wider. Fits bewdifully for me and no blisters yet...touch wood!

re weight of the new UDeeTs:

When not stretching out the leg properly I felt the calfs after a while.
Strech the leg, use the thighs most and not only the calfs and keep them under water when paddling.
And, due to the lenght of the UDeeTs you can grab the fintip and stretch the calfs nicely every now and then.

The hamstring was not my "weak-point" - it was the "musculus rectus femoris" (I had to look that up) on the opposite side, that started to seize once or twice - but that´s not a weight issue rather one requiring training.

The insteps were "stretched" very much and took quite a load, but never hurt.
Lots of hiking and supping on the river seem to help in that area.

The instep is also the skin-area where I would suspect the first problems when using UDeeTs barefoot.
I would expect too much movement between the footpocket- and skinsurface leading to chafing.

I also did feel my kneejoint once or twice, but reducing the thrust just a bit turnde that off.

And last - I had these out of the water when sliding more than the others.
The weight is no problem.

Duck Feet definetly my fin of choice sufferd major hamstring damage before I went to barbados last feb still strugling now but
last sesh in the water lasted only 1hour before I was driven out by pain hoping to sort it out before I go at end of Nov.
Used churchill makapu,Da's,and a number of others and still come back to the Ducks but I am going to take a pair of Viper v7 with me to try so be interesting to feel the differance.
S.
Might have something to just turning 57 and injury takes so long to sort out.

flyfisher wrote:The instep is also the skin-area where I would suspect the first problems when using UDeeTs barefoot.
I would expect too much movement between the footpocket- and skinsurface leading to chafing.

Yeah, finsocks are a must with UDTs

flyfisher wrote:
The weight is no problem.

I'll second that

stu wrote:Duck Feet definetly my fin of choice sufferd major hamstring damage before I went to barbados last feb still strugling now but
last sesh in the water lasted only 1hour before I was driven out by pain hoping to sort it out before I go at end of Nov.
Used churchill makapu,Da's,and a number of others and still come back to the Ducks but I am going to take a pair of Viper v7 with me to try so be interesting to feel the differance.
S.
Might have something to just turning 57 and injury takes so long to sort out.

Vipers are heavy Stu. Perhaps you need to try these new Duckfeet.

G

G, are they moulding the new Ducks in a "Super XL" or "XXL"?

Yep. I've got XXL coming.

G

Well, if you dont get on with them you know who to talk to!

B)

Both XXL. I'm not sure the XXL size is directly equatable though. These Duckfeet feel quite tight and stiff on my wide feet over 4mm Alder Burn socks. I've customized (as any mat surfer should) the Big Bu's strap to get the biggest fin blade possible.

G

Here are some more comparisons.

First off, the total blade area measured from the point where the strap joins the blade. On the DaFin, this runs along the bottom of the strakes so is probably a tiny bit short but not enough to be significant.





Here's the weight comparison (in grams).





I'll try these tomorrow to experience the legendary drive. I have to be honest, right now I'm underwhelmed by the Duckfeet and suspect my Hobbit-Feet will get the dreaded fin cramp.

Cheers

G