Roger,
I received the fins* while I was in Texas and wanted to let you now they are terrific. They make a big difference adding 5 to 10 meter to my dives.
I am now in Ios Greece just north of Santorini. I have been looking for Tuna for 2 years now and haven't seen any yet but I now they are around here in Oct.
Thanks again for the fins
Kenneth Lenhert, Abilene, TX

Hi Roger,
I had purchased a pair of BT fins* and the thermic socks a few weeks back and have just returned from a cruise in the Caribbean so I thought I would drop you a line. As predicted when I first used the fins they were a bit uncomfortable. That did not last long. I had to modify my kick which was trained with scubapro jet fins for 29 years. It took me a while and I think I still need to practice more, but at least I did go to a more cycling style kick... I did not suffer from any leg/ab/back tiredness, probably due to years as a competitive cyclist and now very active volleyball player.

I dove mostly shallow, say 30 feet, but on one occasion visited a wreck in 70 feet of water. I was able to go to about 55 feet easily and am only disappointed that I did not go right to the bottom to bring up a shell or something to give to the captain after I asked about the depth again. I don't think he would have believed me if I told him I was on the bottom.. I easily could have gone to the bottom, but just found myself looking around at 55/60 feet with no need to go lower... Wish I had now, just to prove I could.
I also wore about 6 lbs of weight which help feel neutral once I was 15 feet down making photography easier.
The fins were great, lots of power with not much effort. On assents my snorkel felt like it would get pulled out of my mouth.. The socks were easy to slip on wet or dry and felt good. I would have liked to spend a few more days at the deeper water, I find I get better on the second and third days. I think a low volume mask will be my next purchase, I assume I will feel much less mask squeeze then what I get on my 3 sided mask I use now ...
Thank you
Michael Variano Poughkeepsie, NY

Hi Roger,
I tried my new Hombra last weekend and I have no other word to describe it but amazing. The fit is absolutely perfect. I dove two days in 14 C degrees (57F) water for more than 4 hours each day and felt nothing but absolute warmth and comfort. The biotermic neoprene is so soft that I felt like I was wearing a 3mm wetsuit. I'd say that this 7mm hombra is much more flexible
than my 5mm Camu. I guess this wetsuit is a certificate that Picasso is by far the best brand
available in the market today, delivering the state-of-the-art technology to what was once the most neglected segment of the divers community: the freedivers and spearfishermen. I am glad I got this suit.
Gustavo Ayres de Castro LA, CA

For the record:
I dived the 7mm commercial this past weekend; this is a very warm and very comfortable suit. During the day I was in and out of the water teaching a class. My combined water time in a 8 hour period was 5.0 hours (water tmp was~54F). Not once was I cold or uncomfortable. The commercial is a remarkable suit; I'll use this one for classes and for the occasional scuba dives I make. Now, I need to get another Picasso ----> for freediving!
Steve Kastner

The next e-mail, after Steve bought 2 freediving suits, he wrote:

"As you already know, I thoroughly enjoy the Commercial suit when I teach SCUBA Diving. But I must say, the Mimetico is a fantastic freediving suit! My son and I just spent three days freediving Southern California waters for WSB, YT, California Halibut and Barracuda. We made three jumps each day and our average in water time was approximately 2.5 hours each dive (our average daily in water time was 8 hours). The water temperature was 54 to 64 degrees. The new Mimetico's kept both of us warm and comfortable. We simply didn't get chilled and neither one of us experienced chaffing behind the legs etc. In addition, the distinctive look of the Mimetico enabled us to get close to the fish and when we did get out of the water everyone complimented us on the suits appearance"
Steve Kastner
Stan's Dive Shop. San Jose, CA

man roger, i cant believe how cool you are! Ill try it in the water as soon as i can and let you know how it works out... it will probably be o.k. It will probably loosen up a bit... either way its the deal of the century and you are the greatest person for even taking the time to talk to me.
Happy customer, San Diego, CA

Dear Roger, Just a short note to let you know that I received my Marselles weight belt at the Hilton in West Palm Beach, early in the morning on September 19th, same day that I left the Hotel (I only stayed one night).

Thanks again for you excellent service.
Best regards,
Victor - Visiting the USA == Chile, Latin America

Dear Picasso,
I would like to tell you that the 2001 RI Picasso tournament was awesome!!! I appreciate all the great gear you contributed to the tournament. I won a century Carbono 90 and a reel, I have found this gun very powerful and accurate. I am looking forward to next year.
Sincerely,
Sean Moreschim, CT

Roger,
I got the suit (and other stuff) yesterday. The tag said size 52, so I thought it was safe to try on, rather than call you first. WOW! It feels like it was custom made! I really can't believe how well it fits. Thank you for the help in sizing.
Nate Hukill, Louisville - CO

Dear Roger,
Aaron was up last weekend and we went diving in very cold lake water that is fed by snow melt. This was the first time I used the 7mm suit I bought from you. We stayed in 40 degree water for 2 hours and only got out because of family considerations. We made several dives between 50 and 70 feet. The suit performed just as you described and has opened up a whole new dimension to my diving that I find hard to believe. Aaron claimed to be very comfortable in his 5mm Biometic; yet he was the first one out of the water and was complaining of having very cold feet (he now needs Picasso socks too! :-)
I absolutely love my 7mm bio and BT fins*. Shortly after entering the water I forget about them - which is the highest praise I can think of as they are so comfortable and perform so well they become part of me. I really like the new website as well. Kudos to all of you at Picasso
Mark Evey, Bend, OR

Roger,
first of let me thank you for any help you may give me. I've had my Black Team fins* for about two years and love them. In this age of cheap shoddy products and manufacturing shortcuts I am glad I purchased a well made long lasting high quality product, and it must be if they have survived me .After wearing out numerous (other_brand_name) guns, I am determined to get something of the caliber, quality wise, of my beloved fins...
Drew Bender, Plant City, FL

Roger,
We can both say, when you dive a Picasso! You feel like a million dollars
Thank you very much
Frank LoCoco, San Jose, CA

Hi Roger,
Before I got in the water I was wondering if I was going to have adjust the arms, since they felt quite tight, however once I was in the water for a while it was just right. The suits worked great, neutral bouancy at 30 and it felt like I was naked in 80 degree water. I only stayed in for two hours because of the impact of windsurfing and yoga from the day before, but I am one pleased customer.
Doug Morgan, Vancouver, BC

Roger,
Yes, I did receive the wetsuit. I thought there must have been an error when I saw the size of the box, I figured I must have been sent the wrong order!
I've had mixed feelings about the wetsuit. When I first saw it, I was impressed by the size and feel of the suit. The suit is very thin and flexible and the inside is incredible. Then I was disappointed by the fact that it still used a beaver tail and I have to wet the inside before putting it on. I was also a bit concerned about the lack of cuffs and how they would stand up to wear and tear.
Now after the first use any concern I had went out the window. I was amazed
at how easy the suit was to put on once I soaped up the inside (and this was
not all that difficult to do), it just slipped right on. My first immersion, I was waiting for that all too familiar gush of water running down my back. It never came, water movement was almost non existent. The suit was extremely flexible and warm. The only problem I had when freediving was I would get a slight squeeze in my hood - just no used to form fitting hoods!
I would and will definitely recommend Picasso suits to all my friends...
I am very happy with the suit!!!!!
Thomas Hands, Jamaica

Wetsuits- I don't care what you say Picasso makes the best suits. I have Picasso suits going back to 1998, you think 1998 isn't that long ago? the dive season never ends in Florida! Thats over 50 dives a year. Even in the beginning when they had some stitching problems they still made good suits. All other suits in the world should be using Picasso as a Benchmark. I even have a custom suit that doesn't fit as good as a Picasso off the shelf size 52.

John Bettua, Sunrise, Florida

*Note from the editor: Read about the BT Fins in E-Pinions