Choosing and Using a Full Face Mask

I have recently viewed Hammerhead Press's New Video Choosing and using Full Face Masks WOW, I wondered after watching it if I would receive a certification in diving Full Face Masks. The Producers Steve and Kristine Barsky are no strangers to doing something right. Choosing and Using a Full Face Mask covers everything you need to know and more. Bonus section included!

The one of the many times I donned a Full Face Mask.


This Band Mask was used for a Brooks Photo shoot, my alma mater. I know the living legends of designing diving helmets Bev Morgan, Bob Kirby, Bob Ratcliffe three of the top commercial helmet designers

If you want first hand information on Choosing and Using a Full Face Mask turn to Hammerhead Press and there is lots of professional footage with Force Fins in the video.

If you want to chat with another personal friend who can give you a quick heads up contact Blair Mott at Force Fin.

Flat Fins VS Force Fins

Force Fin production run in the 1980's

A simple way to understand the difference between a Flat Fin and Force Fin.
Every Force Fin that is hand poured has a curved blade that faces away from the bottom of your foot to provide more resistance on the power or downward ( during freestyle) phase of the kick. The blade then snaps back to assist on the recovery.

Have you ever seen a fast-swimming fish with a blunt or squared-off tail? Neither had I. That is why I pattered my fins after the split V shape of fish tails that more efficiently channels the water.


I also noticed that other fins worked basically like boards strapped to your feet; they were stiff and inflexible. Again I took my cue from nature and physics, and I came up with very flexible fins using innovative materials like polyurethane instead of cheaper rubber from the beginning when I started making Force Fins in 1983.

Follow the Ocean Futures Society Team

As many of you know I have a special connection with Jean- Micheal Cousteau and Ocean Futures Society.
Jean- Micheal Cousteau diving the Fins made especially for his team. The OPS Force Fin.

Force Fin as well as myself personally have been long time supporters of all their efforts and adventures towards marine science and education. Most of them not only live in the same town as I do, but I am good friends with most of the team members and staff. I have been following the Ocean Futures Society Expedition Team while they have been documenting the Oil Disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.

I believe it is important for us to gather as much information about such a disaster and having the good people from Ocean Futures Society on the front lines has has been exciting to watch and read about their encounters.
Tonight on the "CBS Evening News with Katie Couric" will feature some of the underwater video that the team has gathered so don't miss it. If you don't have TV that is OK because they will be showing the video on their websites! Good luck to the entire OFS Team, we are thankful for all your hard work!

Have bike will dive

Somewhere along the road we found a way to transport our tanks from Hermosa Beach to Redondo Beach California. My Bike was the prefect horse in 1966. Jim Pennington and I walked the bike with two cylinders and equipment along the train tracks and down to the surf.

Did we try to ride the bike? Yes! It was like steering a time bomb - totally out of balance with two heavy steel tanks full of high pressure air. Walk don't drive worked quite well in those days!

Celebration of Life

Celebration of Life
My father engraves the patented numbers on the Original Force Fin that came out the first Santa Barbara Force Fin head quarters in 1981.

Gordan Evans was a solider, Husband, Father and a remarkable Artist who contributed to my love for the Ocean, Art, Design and so much more...


Following a short illness my father Gordan Evans recently left this earth to join my mother and remain close to me only in spirit. Thank you for all your condolences and I look forward to sharing more of his work with everyone.

Beach Care

Beachcare is an amazing organization that brings beachcare issues to light. Their website is full of excellent information concerning beachcare issues around the world.
Blogs, news, videos, pictures and more. Get informed and get to Beachcare's website

I feel very honored that they have chosen one of my photos for Photo of the Month.

Keep up the great work Beachcare and thank you for your support!
Bob Evans

Reminds me of the Colosseum

I recently shared an old news clipping with our Force Fin staff. It was a response I had written to The Santa Barbara News Press's editorial "The case against captivity" many years ago when the Atlanta Aquarium opened up and I would like to share it with you.
"“Good for the Santa Barbara News Press for pointing out the sadness captivity brings to these beautiful marine animals. When I was a child I lived in Rome, right next to the Colosseum.

Me with my mother and sisters in Rome.

Towards the end of the empire, the Romans would bring animals from Africa-giraffes, elephants, leopards, lions, monkeys, etc. They would perform in the Colosseum. The latest great aquarium in Atlanta, Ga., reminds me of the Colosseum. It is the end of civilization when they can justify captivating people in awe of spectacular animals. If you wish to learn about dolphins, whales, look to our oceans, take a scuba class from one of Santa Barbara's instructional centers, or book a snorkeling adventure. You'll get more out of the experience of floating in the water and watching what marine life may swim by than a beast circling in a Plexiglas Coliseum.
I speak from experience. I have photographed marine animals in their native environment and in Santa Barbara's own Undersea Gardens in the 1970s. I rejoiced when Myrtle the Turtle somehow escaped from Undersea Gardens Aquarium in Santa Barbara, California.

When I was on a photo assignment for a water park in 1973,

I first came in contact with how dolphins were treated. They were in these very small pens, and the trainer told me the dolphins became aggressive over time. I thought to myself that I would become crazy being put in these dark water coffin pens. Time to let killer whales, sea lions, dolphins etc. all go back to the sea and close down these modern day Colosseums