*Update: If you want to read our second review on the Seawing Nova Fin, click here!
This morning I was watching… Mickey Mouse Clubhouse… should we be worried? Nah! It’s quite informative. I now know my colors, shapes, and the magic words… haha, just kidding. I knew all but the magic words when I was a little kid. The Magic Words in case you wondered are Mishka Mushka Mickey Mouse. I may spell them incorrectly, but when you google it, it’s basically Russian/European (some controversy on which one…) saying Mickey Mouse and then American saying Mickey Mouse. That’s what Google told me anyway.
- So the Arabic meaning of Mishka: It is the Light of a candle/ light or more commonly thought from a lantern. The light is used in the context of knowledge. Giving an overall meaning to Mishka as the illuminater of knowledge.
Like I’ve said before, we come to this blog to learn something new, right? Well I only bring all of this up to point out one thing… In this morning’s 7:30 episode, Goofy was snorkeling. I just wanted to point out that he called them Fins and a mask and then of course a snorkel but I’m not sure that can be called anything else? Just pointing out he called that thing on your face the correct word, Mask and those things on your feet the correct thing, Fin (not goggles and flippers!). Now that we’ve clarified all of this, let’s move on with today’s post…
Unless you’ve been living under a rock… which some days I think I might be… you’ll note that this week is the Spring into SCUBA Sale.
The annual Sale that gets all of us itching that much more to go jump in a stock tank I mean the lake or ocean that Memorial Weekend when most of us (unlike Diver Dan) make that seasonal maiden voyage not get here fast enough. I keep thinking it’s May anyway because I may or may not get to go jump in the ocean a few times in May.
But, let’s bring the focus back the topic at hand… oh wait, I haven’t really mentioned the topic at hand yet… The topic at hand is today’s SCUBAPRO Feature item, The Seawing Nova Fins.
So what can I tell you about the Seawing Nova Fin? Well, the first thing I can tell you is if you go to look them up, there are technically 3 different fins that sort of fit that description. What I mean is there is the Seawing Nova, the Seawing Nova Gorilla, and the Seawing Nova Full Foot.
How do you look like you’re a member of the club? Call the Seawing Nova the correct name. How do you know the difference between the Seawing Nova, the Seawing Nova Gorilla, and the Seawing Nova Full Foot? The easy way to tell the Full Foot apart from the other two is it has a back that encloses your heel and does not require dive boots. Now, the Nova versus the Nova Gorilla is a little more difficult, but as of April 2017, here is an easy way to tell the difference.
- The Seawing Nova comes in Black, White, Yellow, Blue, Pink, and Purple.
- The Seawing Nova Gorilla comes in Orange and Graphite.
And while we’re at it….
- The Seawing Nova Full Foot come in Black, White, Pink, and Yellow
With those colors, the one that might give you a smidge of trouble is the graphite versus black, but really, that’s pretty straight forward. Graphite is more gray where black is the new black… or something like that. Is it sad some days I make myself shake my head wondering where I came up with that….?
What makes the Seawing Nova fin stand out among other fins? Other than the fact it has won multiple awards for all three fins is their power, acceleration, and maneuverability from a fin blade with the efficiency of a split fin. The Nova and the Nova Gorilla are for multi-temperature diving where as the Full Foot tends to be more for tropical destinations where you don’t need that extra protection from a sock and/or boot.
The Seawing Nova is made from modern Monprene with an articulated hinge that enables the entire wing-shaped blade to pivot and generate thrust. The Gorilla uses a special additive in its compound to provide more stiffness and snap to the blade to give the diver more satisfaction and “feedback” from the kick. All of the Nova fins excel in the frog kicks and reverse kicks giving the diver improved handling of their kicks in both speed as well as low-speed maneuverability. What would be the purpose for needed speed and maneuverability with ease? Well obviously to catch that shark for a picture!
The fin features a well-engineered footplate with co-molded Grip Pads that provide efficient non-skid footing on slippery boat decks or dive ladders. The Nova and Gorilla are also equipped with self-adjusting heel straps made of marine-grade bungee. Basically, this makes it so you don’t have to buy additional bungee straps so you don’t have to fight the tightening and loosening of fin straps. They just bungee around your heel. Score! Faster to get those fins on to dive in the water to chase that shark. (I recently watched My Big Fat Greek Wedding and I feel like I need to say, “There you go.” Like Gus does when describing how everything originated with The Greek. Sorry, random side note…..).
The Seawing fin design combines classic SCUBAPRO fin technology with the latest innovations in hydrodynamic design. The stiffness of the different Nova fins allow each diver to find what works best for their specific needs. This design offers powerful acceleration with graceful maneuverability. You might almost be able to do underwater dancing, jazzercise, synchronized swimming even.
I believe the word we are looking for is… Anyway… We haven’t focused a lot on the Full Foot version, so now let’s look into that. The Full Foot version foot pocket is low profile to prevent chaffing and blistering on the ankle and Achilles tendon. It also features an extended toe box to raise that comfort level. Otherwise the Full Foot is just like the type to wear with boots.
Let’s look at the technical information on the Seawing Nova…
- Built with a space-age Monprene elastomer that is virtually indestructible.
- Proprietary G4 articulated joint allows the entire blade to pivot and generate thrust.
- Wing-shaped blade creates a near-perfect balance of stiffness and flex.
- Variable Blade Geometry wing tips arc upwards, providing more power and increasing stability.
- Pivot Control technology ensures that the most efficient 45-degree angle of attack is maintained no matter how easy or hard you kick.
- Marine-grade bungee strap is self-adjusting, comfortable, extremely durable, and makes easy work of donning and doffing the fin.
- Re-engineered footplate with co-molded Grip Pads provides a dependable non-skid grip on wet surfaces.
Okay, so now the Technical Information on the Seawing Gorilla
- Built with a space-age Monprene elastomer that is virtually indestructible. It includes a special additive to enhance stiffness and deliver excellent kicking feedback.
- Proprietary G4 articulated joint allows the entire blade to pivot and generate thrust.
- Wing-shaped blade creates a near-perfect balance of stiffness and flex.
- Variable Blade Geometry wing tips arc upwards, providing more power and increasing stability.
- Pivot Control technology ensures that the most efficient 45-degree angle of attack is maintained no matter how easy or hard you kick.
- Marine-grade bungee strap is self-adjusting, comfortable, extremely durable, and makes easy work of donning and doffing the fin.
- Re-engineered footplate with co-molded Grip Pads provides a dependable non-skid grip on wet surfaces.
Finally, the Technical Information on the Seawing Nova Full Foot.
- Ergo-fit foot pocket is low profile to prevent chafing and blistering on the ankle and Achilles tendon.
- Extended toe box enhances comfort during extended bottom times.
- Power Rails under the extended footplate offer efficient power transfer.
- Built with a space-age Monprene elastomer that is virtually indestructible.
- Proprietary G4 articulated joint allows the entire blade to pivot and generate thrust.
- Wing-shaped blade creates a near-perfect balance of stiffness and flex.
- Variable Blade Geometry wing tips arc upwards, providing more power and increasing stability.
- Pivot Control technology ensures that the most efficient 45-degree angle of attack is maintained no matter how easy or hard you kick.
- Click on the fin Size Chart for more details.
As you can see, there’s little difference between the three Nova’s but there are a few differences. You really just need to find what works best for you and your needs. Come talk to us! We’ll be glad to help you!!
One last thing to share are the technical features that all three share. Yes, this goes for the Seawing Nova, the Seawing Nova Gorilla, and the Seawing Nova Full Foot. Technical Features:
- Performance and grip on slippery surfaces is better than ever.
- The foot pocket’s ergonomic toe box is ultra comfortable while the Power Plate footplate extends all the way to the back of the heel, maximizing power transmission while minimizing leg and ankle strain.
- Co-molded Thermo Plastic Vulcanizate (TPV) heel pad and mid-sole pad with rough surface provide an excellent non-slip grip on wet surfaces. The TPV is highly tear resistant and durable.
- Revised blade geometry: lateral rigidity has been slightly increased to improve alternate kicks and to improve responsiveness and thrust at full power.
The take away message… These fins are Powerful! The ways to tell them apart is if they require dive boots or not and color. Oh and if you like to color coordinate your gear… Get these in a color, then get your Hydros BC with color pockets, because they coordinate color wise together. You’re welcome…. Because I had so much to do with that color coordination… So want to try these? Great, there are some in rental gear plus there are those of us who dive with them…. That means you can try them for like half a dive or a whole dive maybe even. Just come talk to us, you really should!