OK, I have ginormous feet. Size 10ish women's, lumpy at the base of the big toe joint with arthritis. I got the largest size Mahina, tried it first in a local lake with neoprene socks and was fine.
Then used it a few times in the pool and it began being difficult. I tried several other kinds of socks and they all stuck, pulled on my toes, and...argh!
So yesterday...
went to a beach on the Chesapeake Bay with friends. The wind was coming ashore off the bay with a few miles of fetch, nice big rolly waves but not quite like an ocean beach (and it's about 1/3 as salty as the ocean). Took the Mahina for a spin...A. zero trouble getting it on (was it the baby powder, that should have washed off???). B. Fabulous fit. C. Fabulous power; I could easily swim around in the waves, get up to "surfing speed" (like I do in the kayak) and surf in.
OK, seriously, I think this fin just likes natural water...
(or was it the baby powder, still SHOULD HAVE WASHED OFF)
Is there any lubrication safe for the natural rubber this is made of, my neoprene socks (which work best) and the environment. i thought of whatever silicone tail users get into their tails with, the 303 I use on the plastic kayaks, or the silicone stuff my dive buddy used to put on all his gear...
Any experience???Disclaimer here: I got an advanced open water scuba certification and have been swimming with fins and a dolphin kick for years. I had used the Mahina in calmer water before and knew how it worked. I also knew the beach I was on very well (a sandy, gently sloping bay beach, but with rocky breakwaters).
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