Davide Tummolillo, Apnea Academy Instructor and former athlete in DYN and DNF, has tested for us in the pool the Cetma Lotus fins with technopolymer blades.
Cetma S-Wing foot pockets
“The Cetma S-Wing foot pockets are very easy and comfortable to wear, as they are soft in the upper part, so the foot enters easily with no discomfort to the instep. Once worn, you immediately feel a sensation of support to the sole of the foot. This is because the base of the foot pocket is correctly rigid to feel the foot stable inside the foot pocket, but also permits a correct finning action as the foot sole during the phase does not bend. In such a way, we have the possibility to transmit all the force to the blade. The Cetma S-Wing foot pockets are very wraparound for a wide foot like mine. I actually can wear a size less than my normal measure, of course without socks, with no discomfort and having the sensation that foot, foot pocket and blade are one single system. “
Behaviour
“The Cetma Lotus have impressed me considering the blades are in technopolymer. Now, it would be unfair to say they are as carbon fibre blades, as the reactivity of the best technopolymer will never be at the level of a good carbon fibre, but indeed the Cetma Lotus do not feel like plastic fins, they are much better!
The Cetma Lotus have in fact immediately given me confidence. The finning must be absolutely narrow, while with a wider old-style finning the impression is of loss of propulsion. You really feel as if your engine is blocked and there is a braking effect. These fins become harder and less ineffective the moment you widen the kick. With the narrow finning instead, performance is really great. This effective kicking, which involves only partially the quadriceps and accompanying a lot with the ankle, utilising the narrow kicking, permits us to slide in the water beautifully and with enormous pleasure.
I tried the Cetma Lotus also at different speeds and the best condition was at an average speed meant to swim long distances. Of course, after a good trip you start feeling some fatigue on the legs, more than with good carbon fibre fins, but this is quite normal, and indeed is feelable much less than with other plastic fins.
Also in a sprint the Cetma Lotus have worked really well, despite the greater weight and less reactivity than carbon fibre. The speed is great in a single sprint. Of course, in multiple sprints the legs get more tired compared to an equivalent session with carbon fibre blades.”
Buoyancy
“Also the buoyancy is good, as I have felt no difference compared to my setup and had no need to change anything. At the start, the sliding is excellent and the fins position themselves as flaps and so permit you to proceed at a good speed. The turn entry has left me with good sensations. Also, the length is reduced compared to other fins in carbon fibre, which is positive, especially where the swimming pools are somehow shallower.”
Conclusions
“The Cetma Lotus are fins which permit to progress correctly to intermediate but also beginners, requiring the right finning technique to perform properly. Such fins, in my opinion, could justify an upgrade only moving to carbon blades. This, staying in the Cetma family, can be easily done by keeping the S-Wing foot pocket and selecting, for indoor apnea and freediving, for example the Cetma Mantra CWT. These I have also tested and the review will be soon published on Apneapassion.com.”
