Friday, August 28, 2009

News with Sumora - New Retail Partner and SPIERRE Fins divers




Sumora has a new retail partner in Irvine, California
Freediving Unlimited/H2o Photo Pros http://www.h2ophotopros.com
17985 Sky Park Circle Suite B Irvine, CA 92614


Sumora is proud to team with 4x Spearfishing World Record Holder Richard Balta!!


anddd...big wave rider and deeeeep diver Mark Healey
See his unbelievable GO VIDEO HERE:
and Mark Healey spearfishing with Tiger Sharks:





Sunday, August 23, 2009

SPIERRE PURE CARBONS are AWESOME!

Today I used the SPIERRE Pure Carbon blades Medium Hard stiffness extensively at Catalina Island, roughly ~ 25 miles offshore Southern California.

All my dives were deeper and taking shorter times ascending and descending than previously, using a lot less effort. Some blades feel like you are moving (such as glass) but also feel like you really have to kick(plastic), or at least kick more than CF.

I attribute this extra work necessary because of the different advantageous properties that Carbon Fiber has. It is able to return to original position and snap back, and is lighter. In turn you are more maneuverable , have less weight on your legs and use less effort to achieve more results.

The Medium Hards Spierre PURE Carbons are constructed to maximize the effects of Carbon Fiber to maximize snap back. I love the length (80 x 22cm width) which is a 31.5" blade not including the footpocket. It's on the longer side and you can see a picture here.

I got a good run at them today with all dives in the 15-25 meter range.(45-78 feet). These blades feel as if you are not really having to work for your kicks but mannnn you are hauling in them.

The power on them is incredible. I was a big fan of C4 and Specialfins Hybrid Professionals(which is a blend of CF and Glass, majority CF), then Fiberglass SPIERREs, but for off the boat diving I will be using the SPIERRE Pure Carbons exclusively. For one, they are lighter than most glass fins out there. The power is on demand and the stiffness was just right for surface swimming.

I'm 5'10" 160.

After swimming around lots of surface swimming, and lots of dives in the medium depth range, I do not feel that my legs are shaky nor cramped.

The power is noticeable. I feel 30-40% more power with these Pure Carbons. With such ease getting back up to the surface, I was able to spend longer bottom times and expend less energy ascending than I had previously with any other fin.


I no longer think it's fair to compare CF to Fiberglass. For one, they are in general at different price points. Like comparing a Mercedes SL previously (around 120,000-140,000 range) to a Ferrari ~ 180k+
Good glass fins are in the 230-350 range.

The performance is much different too. To read my previous review of Fiberglass Fins, read here

CF is 350-550.

SPIERRE Pure Carbons come in at $455.
Footpockets can be had for
$80/pair.

Tin Man's camera mount fit on the railgun (my case Rabitech barrel) very well. It's easy to use and sturdy and steady. Here are a few shots with his camera mount (that my friend loaned me) and my SD550 Canon...The quality was there just like his weights (smooth and clean and perfect).



We will get a review by deep diver Mark Healey and top diver Ritchie Balta shortly.

2 year warranty. Great investment for deeper diving and my opinion safer diving with less effort!


Currently being used by
5x National Champion Jaco Blignaut
12x National Champion Tommy Botha
2x World Freediving Record Holder Trevor Hutton
Deepest fish shot Freediving (60Meters Trevor Hutton)
#1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10 ranked divers in South Africa

If you are looking at high end fins, take a look at the testimonials, and you may email me

to order fins: guns@sumora.com
http://www.spierre.com/testimonials.html


to order TinMan's Camera Mount: derocher@eatel.net







Monday, August 10, 2009

SPIERRE vs EDGE Comparison - battle of the Titans





With so many blades on the market, I wanted to do a comparison between our SPIERRE Fiberglass Blades from South Africa and another top Fiberglass blade on the market - EDGE.

Up to battle: Edge #2 versus SPIERRE Medium

In this review I will try to outline the FOUR Major points when purchasing a pair of blades or anything for that matter:

Cosmetics, Warranty, Performance, and Price in addition to sundries like color options and User backing.

Cosmetics
At first glance, the SPIERRE Blade is about 2x as thick for the fiberglass compared to the EDGE.
It is also slightly wider and ~1cm longer. I think this makes for a more durable blade to be thicker. It is also a bit heavier due to the thicker fiberglass. One of these days I would like to weigh the two side by side.

The edge have more of a channel railing on the outer right and outer left tips of the blade designed to flow water. The Spierres have a shorter railing.

Warranty
Spierres hold double the warranty at 2 years versus 1 year(Edge)

Performance
Though a restaurant can be judged by service, (which adds to the overall dining experience), usually the real test is the quality to price ratio of the food.
So performance was the main category of testing.

Edge #2 was a very nice fin to 35-45ft with nice surface swimming though the angle on the blade was not as pronounced as the SPIERREs. I found it difficult to get thrust and torque from deeper depths. Surface swimming the angle on the SPIERRE gave it the edge (no pun intended) and I believe the steeper angle assists here. The edge were easier to kick at shallower depths and it seemed was slightly less stiff. However getting up from 50ft took more effort and deeper dives did not feel like I was being propelled and rather hurt my ankles the deeper/harder I had to kick.

The SPIERRE Blade had a ton of thrust coming from 70 feet and though yesterday I didn't get to go deeper, I will next time with a spotter. You really feel like you're hauling through the water.

PRICE
Blade pricing for non-camouflage SPIERRES are less expensive than Edge though pricing exemplifies quite similar price points - they're both a high end blade. Our SPIERRE Non Camos run $335 complete set (Picasso Footpockets), or Camouflage $375. Edge run $360 complete.

COLOR OPTIONS
Spierre Camouflage blades are the nicest camouflage patterns on the market today.

USERS
Both EDGE Blades and SPIERRE Have a strong User backing. Dennis Haussler (US National Champion) uses EDGE

SPIERRE Blades have an incredible following with the number 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, and 10 ranked divers in South Africa using them, alongside with 5x National Champion Jaco Blignaut, 12x national Champion Tommy Botha, and 2x World Freediving Record Holder Trevor Hutton. Trevor recently shot a fish at 60Meters for a new record - deepest fish shot freediving.

FINAL THOUGHTS
Though both blades have impressive characteristics, followings and performance abilities, I liked the SPIERRE Fiberglass and the camouflage patterns are truly impressive.

To order a set or two or for more information, contact ERIK @SUMORA.COM 949.310.3393 (PST)

Spierre Camouflage Blades


UP NEXT... Also coming should have a more comprehensive review between the EDGE, SPIERRE Fiberglass and SPIERRE Carbons. I'd also like to take the SPIERRE Monofins for a test run!

We will have reviews by top US Divers on our SPIERRE Pure Carbon line coming soon: Richard Balta and Mark Healey.



Tuesday, August 4, 2009

251 Pound Yellowfin Tuna

SPIERRE Fiberglass REEF Camouflage Fins,
known for their torque and power, were worn
to capture this beautiful 251 pound Yellowfin Tuna.

Congratulations Colin Chester!

To order your set, email: guns@sumora.com or erik@sumora.com

Call: 1 949 310 3393 (Pacific Standard Time...we're in California!)