stolen fins! grumble grumble grumble

[rayaa3]

OK - so I ended up out at Tenkiller lake (that's in eastern oklahoma) for some diving from a buddies pontoon boat this weekend. We camped at a nice site right on the water, and beached the boat up by the site. We dove Saturday did an AM dive - on the boat ride back, my buddy forgot his fins on the back of the dive boat, and they slipped off during the slow treck back to campsite (20ft pontoon boat, 60 HP motor, everything is leisurely). At any rate - in the afternoon, went for a 2nd dive - he borrowed my wife's fins (not diving) as his were donated to the lake gods. So we were very careful about not leaving them loose on the boat ride back (lake gods only get 1 donation a trip). When we beach the boat for the afternoon we leave our bc and regs attached to tanks. Hang our wetsuits on the canopy to dry - leave fins and boots drying on the floor. We figured we are pooped - want to start making dinner and will get the gear in the AM. Never occured to us to worry about theives, because 1) we are camped about 50 meters from the boat, in a direct line of site. 2) people do this all the time, and campers tend to be quite neighborly about seeing people hop from boat to boat scaveging.

Get up this morning...break down camp, pack up - go down to boat for gear...

Both our bc/regs still there with tanks attached...boots - present--fins...gone. Hmmm...look through every compartment of the boat - nothing. Go through campsite (I didn't take them up there, but what the hell, you never know)...nope.

So someone got on the boat in the night - skipped past the regs and bc (either because they were too heavy to steal quickly and quietly - or because they knew nothing of the cost of scuba gear) and made off with both pairs of fins...unbelievable. Nothing else appeared missing...wetsuits still hanging, beach towels still hanging...masks, computers, regs, everything but my fins. My dog was barking at someone late last night (very out of character), I simply assumed she got a wild hair and was barking at another campsite nearby...even woke and hushed her up.

So - either it was a diver, well let's hope not. I'de like to say a diver would be too honest to steal another person's gear...however, I know that's not really true (though those I know personally DO have far too much integrity.) or some snot nosed goober who doesn't even know what he has his hands on (prob thinks they are same as the 10 dollar sets you get from wally world for snorkelling. Oh well - whoever you are, if you are a diver, I hope the buckles break in the middle of a dive. I'm not saying I hope you drown, but a little karmic justice wouldn't bother me too much. Perhaps a close call and a ruined dive trip.

They were Blue/Grey Scubapro Twin Speed open heel split fins, size M-L, and fairly worn in. Not that I expect anyone to bloody the nose of the next person they see wearing some. But if you do, you could stair at them funny, just to make them paranoid. If they didn't steal them, maybe they will think you are flirting and you'll make a new friend.

grumble grumble grumble.

Anyways - time to start shopping for new fins...too bad ST doesn't have those White/black Tusa Xpert Zooms they had a while back for 64.00 - I wanted an excuse to buy a pair.

[Jack Hammer]

If everything else was there, my initial thoughts when camping would be some sort of animal made off with them. Either way it sucks that you're out 3 pairs of fins for the trip.

Jack

[jet126]

Originally Posted by Jack Hammer

If everything else was there, my initial thoughts when camping would be some sort of animal made off with them. Either way it sucks that you're out 3 pairs of fins for the trip.

Jack

I was thinking kids - aka some sort of animal ...

[fire diver]

I can see the animal possibility, but they wouldn't have taken them very far. If it was a another diver, they would have taken the regs and wetsuits first, or taken all of it. I would lean toward another person. Might let Gene and Tim know (Gene's scuba and nautical adventures) about the theft. someone might be trying to sell them off to them.

[rayaa3]

Well, animals don't seem likely - no part of the boat was on dry land. The pontoons ride high on this particular boat and the deck was >3ft off the surface of the water. All of the doors were closed, and opening them required both turning a knob and lifting the entire door about 1/2 an inch straight up and pushing inward. The doors themselves are about 2ft high Racoon's are a pain, but all 4 fins - each measuring ~24 inches long.

I think kids are the most likey suspects. I must admit some minor infractions as a youngster myself.

I do think emailing gene's and nautical is a good idea - thanks.

I've cooled off a bit about it. It sucks - life goes on, it was otherwise a nice weekend, I enjoyed the lake, and loved being able to dive it from the boat.

[navyhmc]

If you need an interim pair, I have an old pair of USD Jets I can send your way.

[rayaa3]

Navy - Much appreciated, I am ok though. My diving season is over anyway, that was my last lake dive trip of the summer (can you hear the worlds tiniest violin playing?) - and I'm already frothing at the excuse to buy gear.

[caburrid]

That really stinks that your fins went missing. I agree it was likely some kids, as someone that knew what they were doing would have taken your regs or suits. As bad as it sucks I guess you are kinda lucky they didnt get off with your more expensive equipment, eh?

[wheelman]

Sorry man... I had a my akona mask bag stolen with my spare mask a couple of weeks ago. I hate to think it was divers as well... but who else would want it. Again sorry to hear this.

[scubasamurai]

that is why all my gear is pink, only a women may steal them, but after 20 yrs no one has touched it dang!