nemo fins

i kinda agree with you mate, but i've just never seen anyone complain about them... where in the rules does it say no fibreglass? maybe you can be the first to make a stand...

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it's more polite on the grating than on the subs bench

so will we have to send samples of our fins to WTD along with colour samples of swimwear prior to world cup/champs/challenge?
what is likely to be the approval process? Carol?

or can we rock up to worlds with whatever fins we have and hope that the referee, on the day, is happy with what we are wearing?

will players need to take extra pairs of fins in case their first choice weapon is not approved?

please define 'conventional underwater hockey fins' what is likely to be a conventional aqua-challenge fin?

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I recall the ruling on the fins that as long as they are encased as are the leaders then they are fine. Once the edge of the leader starts to split (as they do) they are no good since the fiberglass is exposed.

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Just in case you weren't sure, it's official -- CMAS sucks.
Oh yeah, and now they're broke.

What do you mean by 'exposed'? Are we talking cracking of the resin and individual glass fibres sticking out into the water (which would be unsafe), or just being able to see the composite? The materials they're using (well, at least nemo and specialfins, I haven't dug under the rubber on the leaders) these days aren't exactly the fibrous mat and some glue that you pick up from the hardware store. They're high-end expensive woven fabrics embedded in resins specific to flexible underwater use. You can rub this stuff against your face all day without adverse effect. Unless some part of the fin actually breaks, then rubber edging should be fine to make them perfectly safe for hockey.

These types of fin are already dominant in the UW rugby scene, with most of the top teams wearing them near exclusively. As far as I know there have been no negative safety reports as yet.

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It's not whether you win or lose - but whether I win or lose.

I would be really interested in hearing from anyone that has actually played UWH in these fins. What are they like to play in?

The "exposed" was in reference to the rubber splitting not the fin actually cracking in half and having fibers prickling out. I think it would be good to have a confirmed ruling on this prior to SA since the rules are designed to be discussed and voted on at World's for implementation at some point after World's is over. Unless it is unanimous, then it may be implemented immediately. It seems the wording in the rules does not clearly represent the decision made at Sheffield so clarity prior to showing up would be great.

If the materials are safe when they break then I wouldn't be against using them. But a rubber edge doesn't make them safe if they break. The broken line would have to not be dangerous, meaning no sharp bits that could cut through someone as the guy kicks. It's easier to notice and stop when a stick breaks and is dangerous. I would think someone would get a kick or two in before they noticed and even then they might keep going anyway. Who's going to give up on a play at World's.

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Just in case you weren't sure, it's official -- CMAS sucks.
Oh yeah, and now they're broke.

there are a whole lot of things that can break in the water and become dangerous... sticks, masks in particular.

many current fins when snapped end up with sharp plastic edges... try running a pair of stratos across your back when they've snapped, there is some hard plastic out there.

fibre fins have been used at worlds since 2004 at least, to my knowledge. where exactly is the "ruling" from that you've quoted duck? was it just a verbal thing in sheffield?

benson is right, the stuff they are using is coated in resin and essentially already has a covering layer... perhaps someone who has experience with broken fibre fins could help here?

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it's more polite on the grating than on the subs bench

although they are the older model, one of the guys that plays with us has a couple of breaks on his nemo fins.

the rubber edge down one of the sides has come loose, and doesn't really cover the blade - but i havn't seen any damage caused by it yet.

and there are a couple of splits towards the bottom of his blade, but there's no sharp or dangerous edges as a result

if that's any help

i'm pretty sure i've already said this... as far as i understand from the manufacturer, the nemo fins are brand new, there is no older model.

are you talking about the leaders there todd or what, or some of the french fins?

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it's more polite on the grating than on the subs bench