MILITARY
Nick N., U.S. Navy Seal
“I have been a SCUBA diver since 1968 and was a career Navy SEAL from 1971 to 1999.
During that time span I have had the opportunity to evaluate a wide variety of fin types and
styles. Of all the fins I have used, none have provided me the performance equal to the APS
Mantaray. I was assigned as Assistant Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation
(RDT&E) Officer for Naval Special Warfare Group ONE from 1990 to 1994. One of the projects
that I conducted was the comparison of ten sets of SCUBA fins, then on the market, for SEAL
operational application. It was during this assignment that I had the privilege to evaluate the
Mantaray, a new concept in fin design and still in prototype at that time. During several dives
using both open and closed circuit SCUBA, I found the Mantaray would provide me with better
speed and less fatigue than any fin I had used before or have used since. It was the Mantaray
that I chose to take while evaluating water proofed electronics at Panama City, Florida,
because by that time it was the only fin that I used, either surface or subsurface. During this
evaluation, the fins were noticed by a fellow SEAL and evaluator, Joel M. Mr. M. asked to try
the fins and was very pleased with their performance. In fact, he was so pleased that he kept
the fins for the next two weeks with a variety of excuses as to why he could not return them for
my use. The swims conducted for the evaluation of the electronics consisted of several
surface swims of between fifteen hundred and two thousand yards. There were also dives of
over two thousand yards. Mr. M. used these fins on all of the surface swims and the dives.
His report is in a letter that was very positive about the Mantaray's performance. Since the
Florida evaluation, the Mantaray is the only fin that I use for SCUBA and free diving. The
function is equally superior in both surface and subsurface swimming. I would recommend
that anyone in search of a fin that functions well for all swimming evolutions should contact
APS Mantaray and arrange an opportunity to try this fin.”
Joel M., U.S. Navy Seal Team Three
“I am writing this letter in regards to the APS Mantaray fins that I have tested. My experience in
diving has been eight years as a Navy Seal, in where I have spent my first seven years in
Seal Delivery vehicles where I have accumulated over fifteen hundred hours of bottom time. I
have owned and tested a number of fins before testing the APS Mantaray dive fins. I was
fortunate enough to be given the chance to experiment with the fins for two weeks in February
1995 while test diving Navy electronics. I used the fins for two fifteen hundred yard dives
where I was wearing twin 80's. I was quite impressed by the fins; they were very mobile with
excellent thrust. Also I noticed after the two dives my legs were not nearly as fatigued as
when I used my personal fins for the third dive. After dive testing the electronics for three
dives we had to surface swim the equipment for two sixteen hundred yard swims, where I
jumped at the chance to sample the fins. I was equally impressed with them on the surface.
They gave me excellent thrust and were very navigable in shallow water. Through my
experimentation with these fins I have found them to be one of the best I have ever used. Also
it is very rare that I have found a fin that is equally comfortable on the surface as it is diving. I
highly recommend the opportunity to anyone who is an avid diver or surface swimmer to
examine these fins.”
Jeremiah B., U.S. Coast Guard
“Growing up in Hawaii, I have always had a love for the ocean, or any other form of water
activity I could find my way into. From a very early age, I made my way to some of Hawaii’s
most dangerous and exciting surfing/bodysurfing breaks. I have owned many different types
of fins, and used them for various different water activities, including scuba diving. Now, older
and wiser, and a member of the United States Coast Guard’s Maritime Safety & Security
Team (MSST-11907), an anti-terrorism team based out of Honolulu, Hawaii. In addition, to
my duties as a Maritime Law Enforcement/Force Protection Boarding Team Member, I am
also a member of our unit’s specialized dive team. I recently returned from U.S. Navy Dive
School in Panama City, Florida, where I underwent rigorous training cycles, which included
timed fin-swims in low temperature waters. Again, I had the opportunity to use various types
of fins. Recently, I had the opportunity to try the APS Mantaray design. The first thought and
single word that came to mind was ‘effortless.’ This fin allowed me to propel myself through
the water, while dressed in full scuba gear, with an ease that I have never experienced before
from any fin. Both the upstroke and downstroke felt noticeably easier, giving me the
propulsion I need while summing less energy. Anyone who does any type of military scuba
diving knows that consuming less energy equates to consuming less air, therefore longer
bottom times, and as a result, more productivity. I have let several of my dive buddies, both
personal and professional, try this fin and they, too, concur that this fin is simply a
breakthrough in fin technology. In addition to the ease of the fin, it is a very comfortable fin that
is easy to dress and undress. I now use the APS Mantaray for both military and recreational
dives. Thank you very much for your product, I look forward to continual use of it.”
Scott Friesen, Former Canadian Navy Clearance Diver, SDI/TDI Instructor, Alpha Dive
Services
“As a dive instructor and scuba shop owner, I tend to use my dive gear on a daily basis. You
know what gear works well under all conditions and what you can rely on. In my former job
as a Clearance Diver in the Canadian Navy, I used Turtle Fins almost exclusively. I made
many dives all over the world using those fins and never thought of changing. When I retired
from the military and bought a dive shop, I continued to use those fins because that is what I
was used to. One day I had a customer come in to rent some gear. He was probably 6'6" tall
and had size 15 feet. We were able to outfit him with everything except fins. None of the fins
in our rental department fit him comfortably. As a last resort I reluctantly let him rent my Turtle
Fins. When he returned from his dive, he asked me to sell him the fins as they were the only
ones that he had used that had fit his feet. I gave in and sold him my fins. On my next
several dives I tried various fins we had in stock and in rental but couldn't find any to my
liking. Many were too stiff, or were too snug when wearing a drysuit. I mentioned my fin woes
to one of my suppliers one day and he suggested trying out a pair of Mantarays. He was a
former commercial diver and had always used Jet Fins and Turtle Fins, but now he swore by
these fins. I decided it wouldn't hurt to give them a try. I was very comfortable diving with
these fins right from the first dive. I was amazed at how much forward thrust was achieved
with such a small blade. They worked great even when diving with doubles and carrying
multiple stage bottles. They have just the right amount of flex and are so light it feels like you
are not wearing any fins at all. The smaller blade size makes it easier to climb up dive boat
ladders as well. I have about 250 dives on Mantaray Fins now and wouldn't think of using
anything else. Congratulations on a well designed fin.”
Michael Timm, Former Military Diver, General Manager, Dive California
“Our Team and I are extremely excited and impressed with the overall performance of the
APS Mantaray Dive Fins. The superb performance with all variety of fin kicks is awesome for
wreck and cave penetration because of its size and maneuverability, little effort to kick,
smooth and relaxing on long swims on the surface to the actual dive destination, under more
extreme conditions in strong currents with surge, in shorts, wetsuit and drysuit, the Mantaray
performed exceptionally great. It performed equally superior on the surface as underwater
with a single tank or doubles 100/120. The foot pocket is very comfortable and fits my
neoprene booties as well as my drysuit shoes without switching sizes or even fins. The
lightweight is great for traveling.”
Tom C., Force Recon and Underwater Video Photographer
”The revolutionary Mantaray Fins are simply one of the most comfortable light weight power
producing fins I ever used. Whether you’re a recreational scuba diver or a professional
military combat swimmer, these extraordinary fins will fit the needs of the most discriminate
water enthusiast.” Tom C. is a renowned Marine Wildlife photographer and cinematographer
with over forty years of experience in the diving world. His travels have taken him from the
steaming jungles of Viet Nam where he worked in clandestine operations with the Navy’s
elite, Seal Team One, to the many serene wildlife sequences and shark adventures seen on
the Discovery Channel and other adventure series.
Nick N., U.S. Navy Seal
“I have been a SCUBA diver since 1968 and was a career Navy SEAL from 1971 to 1999.
During that time span I have had the opportunity to evaluate a wide variety of fin types and
styles. Of all the fins I have used, none have provided me the performance equal to the APS
Mantaray. I was assigned as Assistant Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation
(RDT&E) Officer for Naval Special Warfare Group ONE from 1990 to 1994. One of the projects
that I conducted was the comparison of ten sets of SCUBA fins, then on the market, for SEAL
operational application. It was during this assignment that I had the privilege to evaluate the
Mantaray, a new concept in fin design and still in prototype at that time. During several dives
using both open and closed circuit SCUBA, I found the Mantaray would provide me with better
speed and less fatigue than any fin I had used before or have used since. It was the Mantaray
that I chose to take while evaluating water proofed electronics at Panama City, Florida,
because by that time it was the only fin that I used, either surface or subsurface. During this
evaluation, the fins were noticed by a fellow SEAL and evaluator, Joel M. Mr. M. asked to try
the fins and was very pleased with their performance. In fact, he was so pleased that he kept
the fins for the next two weeks with a variety of excuses as to why he could not return them for
my use. The swims conducted for the evaluation of the electronics consisted of several
surface swims of between fifteen hundred and two thousand yards. There were also dives of
over two thousand yards. Mr. M. used these fins on all of the surface swims and the dives.
His report is in a letter that was very positive about the Mantaray's performance. Since the
Florida evaluation, the Mantaray is the only fin that I use for SCUBA and free diving. The
function is equally superior in both surface and subsurface swimming. I would recommend
that anyone in search of a fin that functions well for all swimming evolutions should contact
APS Mantaray and arrange an opportunity to try this fin.”
Joel M., U.S. Navy Seal Team Three
“I am writing this letter in regards to the APS Mantaray fins that I have tested. My experience in
diving has been eight years as a Navy Seal, in where I have spent my first seven years in
Seal Delivery vehicles where I have accumulated over fifteen hundred hours of bottom time. I
have owned and tested a number of fins before testing the APS Mantaray dive fins. I was
fortunate enough to be given the chance to experiment with the fins for two weeks in February
1995 while test diving Navy electronics. I used the fins for two fifteen hundred yard dives
where I was wearing twin 80's. I was quite impressed by the fins; they were very mobile with
excellent thrust. Also I noticed after the two dives my legs were not nearly as fatigued as
when I used my personal fins for the third dive. After dive testing the electronics for three
dives we had to surface swim the equipment for two sixteen hundred yard swims, where I
jumped at the chance to sample the fins. I was equally impressed with them on the surface.
They gave me excellent thrust and were very navigable in shallow water. Through my
experimentation with these fins I have found them to be one of the best I have ever used. Also
it is very rare that I have found a fin that is equally comfortable on the surface as it is diving. I
highly recommend the opportunity to anyone who is an avid diver or surface swimmer to
examine these fins.”
Jeremiah B., U.S. Coast Guard
“Growing up in Hawaii, I have always had a love for the ocean, or any other form of water
activity I could find my way into. From a very early age, I made my way to some of Hawaii’s
most dangerous and exciting surfing/bodysurfing breaks. I have owned many different types
of fins, and used them for various different water activities, including scuba diving. Now, older
and wiser, and a member of the United States Coast Guard’s Maritime Safety & Security
Team (MSST-11907), an anti-terrorism team based out of Honolulu, Hawaii. In addition, to
my duties as a Maritime Law Enforcement/Force Protection Boarding Team Member, I am
also a member of our unit’s specialized dive team. I recently returned from U.S. Navy Dive
School in Panama City, Florida, where I underwent rigorous training cycles, which included
timed fin-swims in low temperature waters. Again, I had the opportunity to use various types
of fins. Recently, I had the opportunity to try the APS Mantaray design. The first thought and
single word that came to mind was ‘effortless.’ This fin allowed me to propel myself through
the water, while dressed in full scuba gear, with an ease that I have never experienced before
from any fin. Both the upstroke and downstroke felt noticeably easier, giving me the
propulsion I need while summing less energy. Anyone who does any type of military scuba
diving knows that consuming less energy equates to consuming less air, therefore longer
bottom times, and as a result, more productivity. I have let several of my dive buddies, both
personal and professional, try this fin and they, too, concur that this fin is simply a
breakthrough in fin technology. In addition to the ease of the fin, it is a very comfortable fin that
is easy to dress and undress. I now use the APS Mantaray for both military and recreational
dives. Thank you very much for your product, I look forward to continual use of it.”
Scott Friesen, Former Canadian Navy Clearance Diver, SDI/TDI Instructor, Alpha Dive
Services
“As a dive instructor and scuba shop owner, I tend to use my dive gear on a daily basis. You
know what gear works well under all conditions and what you can rely on. In my former job
as a Clearance Diver in the Canadian Navy, I used Turtle Fins almost exclusively. I made
many dives all over the world using those fins and never thought of changing. When I retired
from the military and bought a dive shop, I continued to use those fins because that is what I
was used to. One day I had a customer come in to rent some gear. He was probably 6'6" tall
and had size 15 feet. We were able to outfit him with everything except fins. None of the fins
in our rental department fit him comfortably. As a last resort I reluctantly let him rent my Turtle
Fins. When he returned from his dive, he asked me to sell him the fins as they were the only
ones that he had used that had fit his feet. I gave in and sold him my fins. On my next
several dives I tried various fins we had in stock and in rental but couldn't find any to my
liking. Many were too stiff, or were too snug when wearing a drysuit. I mentioned my fin woes
to one of my suppliers one day and he suggested trying out a pair of Mantarays. He was a
former commercial diver and had always used Jet Fins and Turtle Fins, but now he swore by
these fins. I decided it wouldn't hurt to give them a try. I was very comfortable diving with
these fins right from the first dive. I was amazed at how much forward thrust was achieved
with such a small blade. They worked great even when diving with doubles and carrying
multiple stage bottles. They have just the right amount of flex and are so light it feels like you
are not wearing any fins at all. The smaller blade size makes it easier to climb up dive boat
ladders as well. I have about 250 dives on Mantaray Fins now and wouldn't think of using
anything else. Congratulations on a well designed fin.”
Michael Timm, Former Military Diver, General Manager, Dive California
“Our Team and I are extremely excited and impressed with the overall performance of the
APS Mantaray Dive Fins. The superb performance with all variety of fin kicks is awesome for
wreck and cave penetration because of its size and maneuverability, little effort to kick,
smooth and relaxing on long swims on the surface to the actual dive destination, under more
extreme conditions in strong currents with surge, in shorts, wetsuit and drysuit, the Mantaray
performed exceptionally great. It performed equally superior on the surface as underwater
with a single tank or doubles 100/120. The foot pocket is very comfortable and fits my
neoprene booties as well as my drysuit shoes without switching sizes or even fins. The
lightweight is great for traveling.”
Tom C., Force Recon and Underwater Video Photographer
”The revolutionary Mantaray Fins are simply one of the most comfortable light weight power
producing fins I ever used. Whether you’re a recreational scuba diver or a professional
military combat swimmer, these extraordinary fins will fit the needs of the most discriminate
water enthusiast.” Tom C. is a renowned Marine Wildlife photographer and cinematographer
with over forty years of experience in the diving world. His travels have taken him from the
steaming jungles of Viet Nam where he worked in clandestine operations with the Navy’s
elite, Seal Team One, to the many serene wildlife sequences and shark adventures seen on
the Discovery Channel and other adventure series.
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| APS Mantaray Dive Fins Advanced-Aqua Propulsion System Dual Directional Water Channeling |
| BUS: 619.461.1328 FAX: 619.461.1347 |