We’ve probably all seen scuba divers on television, hitching rides on the backs of manta rays or sea turtles. For those of us who love the ocean, it looks like a near-magical experience, but ... you shouldn’t do it. Marine biologists will tell you that it’s simply a form of harassment, which the animals themselves don’t particularly enjoy. So, how can you replicate that “flying underwater” experience? Well, Norwegian inventor Simon Sivertsen would suggest you buy his boat-towed Subwing.
The device consists of two hydrodynamic wings, joined in the center with a steel-and-rubber swivel – this allows them to pivot independently of one another. Riders hang on using rubber grips at the front of the wings, or by grasping a rubber grab loop in the rear. Heavy-duty Dyneema fiber ropes are attached to the top surface of both wings, and join up with the user’s own tow rope.
Once they’re in motion, riders can steer the Subwing up and down, left and right, or perform spins, by angling or twisting the wings. As can be seen in the video at the bottom of the page, it looks like a lot of fun, although the device is recommended for skin divers only. Presumably the sudden depth changes involved could make breathing compressed air dangerous, plus the tanks would no doubt create a lot of drag.
Additionally, towing speeds over two knots aren’t recommended.
Speaking of danger, one does have to wonder how the people in the boat will know if their underwater buddy has been shaken off of the Subwing, or cracked their head on a piece of coral – it’s not like they’re able to see them, except for when they pop to the surface to grab a breath.
In any case, for people willing to take the risks, the Subwing is available in three versions. The fiberglass model sells for US$700, the carbon fiber matte model goes for $850, while the carbon gloss will set you back $895.
Source: Subwing via The Awesomer
Two suggestions: 1) There does need to be an alarm so that the boat driver can stop if the diver lets go. Since the towline tension will decrease radically when the diver lets go, a fairly simple mechanical "flag" could pop up when towline tension decreases. Fancier audible alarms would be even better and enable this thing to be fairly safe.
2) Since there's a towline from the surface, it wouldn't be too hard to have a flexible air-suply tube running down to an air-mask. That would enable the diver to stay down having fun indefinitely : )
There was a movie about sponge divers from Greece in an OLD black and White movie.....
On a set of steel rods with control surfaces - being towed behind a boat... something like the front end of a U boat - minus the U Boat.
I think it was either this one, or the following.
Beneath the 12 Mile Reef (1953)
Boy on a Dolphin
To Denis Klanac in an earlier thread, You'd have to be pretty dumb to be any where near sharks if your doing this.