Fourth Element Rec Fin
In 2017 David Attenborough’s Blue Planet II spurred a passionate global response to change how we use plastic.
The nature documentary was public service broadcasting at its finest, and it highlighted the environmental emergency that many of us, as divers, have seen in our oceans.
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There was a call to arms to think about how we utilise plastic—which is a brilliant material when employed correctly. Many viewers embraced the idea of eliminating one-time-use plastic (straws, plastic bags, disposable coffee cups and water bottles, etc) and to start getting clever about how we purpose plastic.
There is no such thing as 'away'. When we throw anything away, it must go somewhere.
Fourth Element has already embraced some of these aspects—for starters they have reduced and changed their packing material. Now, they are repurposing ocean-bound plastic.
World's first recycled fins
Fourth Element's latest creation—the new Rec Fin—is the world's first scuba diving fin to be made from recycled post-consumer plastic waste! The soft foot pocket and classic four-channel design blade utilises 100 percnet recycled polypropylene and thermoplastic rubber, of which 60 percent is recycled ocean-bound plastic. How apt, and a smart way to prevent plastic from being sent to landfill or ending up as waste in the ocean.
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Fourth Element states that "the Rec Fin generates thrust on both the down and upstroke of the fin, whilst the stiffening ribs ensure excellent control." The Rec Fin comes in three blade lengths (small, regular and extra large), and two colour combinations (OceanPositive Aqua/White and Black/Grey).
The only virgin material used on the Rec Fin is the silicone heel strap. This innovative honeycomb strap "can be adjusted to accommodate different shoe sizes with up to six different heel-strap lengths."
Reduce your fin print on the ocean.
Packaging
Does all of our scuba diving equipment really need to come in packaging? Some has to—such as masks, regulators and dive computers—and manufacturers have really started to get clever in how these pieces of kit are protected and packaged. Fins traditionally are packed in a plastic bag that is used once—to take your new toys home. Fourth Element has therefore adopted a "naked-packaging" policy with the Rec Fins. In plain English, a pair of fins come strapped together using a wide OceanPositive band, and that is it. This is a smart decision, and one that I hope divers embrace. It is just a change of mindset, folks!
Key Features
- Heel Type: Open Heel
- Strap Type: 6 Point Adjustment
- Blade Length: Small - 37cm / 14.6in, Regular - 38.5cm / 15.2in, X-Large - 40cm / 15.7in
- Single Fin Weight: Small - 0.85kg / 1.9lb, Regular - 0.9kg / 2lb, X-Large - 1kg / 2.2lb
- Recycled PP & TRP
- RPET (Recycled Polyethylene Tetraphyte)
- Blade and foot pocket are made from 100% recycled plastic (recycled polypropylene and recycled thermoplastic rubber)
- Fins come packaged in zero plastic
- Adjustable silicone heel strap on scuba fin provides 6 points of adjustment
- Soft foot pocket
- Classic four channel fin design
- Three sizes: Small, Regular, Extra Large
- Made in China
