One of the most successful spearfishing and freediving fins by Cetma Composites are definitely the Mantra. We have already presented them in our x-rays column and now it was time to give them to one of the strongest spearfishermen in history, Daniel Gospic. Member of the Apnea Passion Team, and so INDEPENDENT from any brand, Daniel has made deep tests and here is his TRUE review.
Great quality
“I have seen and tested many carbon fiber fins and I can say definitely that the Cetma Mantra that I have received are great, with an outstanding design matched with top perceived quality. The carbon fiber is perfect in any area of the blade and this is definitely important to insure long lasting performance and no breakage. The white colour of foto pockets and water rails is very visible and so perfect for freediving. Of course for spearfishing you want a darker colour, either black or even better red, which disappears after the first meters”.
Design
“The high angle of total 33° (27° blade inclination plus 3° of the foot pocket) of the Cetma Mantra requires a dedicated kicking using mainly the ankles and joints. This is a great solution for deep dives where you want to use the joints instead of big muscles, so to use less oxygen. Such solution works perfectly also in variable weight, when you can come up just with a few kicks.
I love the modern short side rails so that the performing carbon fiber blade can be harnessed at best, using all the power of the carbon fiber without being slowed by the rubber.
Great are also the water rails high only at the tip of the blade, so to additionally avoid interfering with the performance of the carbon fiber blade, but still permit to channel the water where it is most important. This is definitely sufficient also to avoid lateral sliding.
Foot pockets
The Cetma S-Wing foot pockets are extremely comfortable. They are designed in such a way that the wrap perfectly and completely the foot. This determines that during the finning the foot does not move inside the foot pocket and there is no loss of power, and the force is constantly transmitted to the blade. In general, whenever you feel the foot moving freely, you know power il lost in that moment.
The only aspect I feel could be slightly improved is the weight of these foot pockets, which are heavier than other foot pockets on the market. This though is not a key aspect.”
Performance
“The Cetma Mantra have required a very different in the finning technique to the one I usually use. But on the reactivity and response during the finning they are extremely performing. For such reason I have changed my way of finning, using mainly the ankles without widening the kick with the legs. The finning is concentrated on the joints, making much narrower kicks using the ankles.
During my tests it was evident how good these fins are in deep dives. They are also extremely precise, giving the perfect directioning to be able to glide perfectly on the spot we want to reach.
The Cetma Mantra, instead, are less adequate for surface and shallow water spearfishing, as the finning technique requested would not work at best and would tire us a little.”
