Good blades/fins for surface swimming

[cheezwedge]

I am still a newbie at spearfishing/freediving, and my current hunting areas are the kelp beds right off shore here in Southern California. I purchased a pair of Omer bat 40's while in Guam (way too stiff for me, im 5'11'' 150 LBS). I swam with them for a while on the surface to test them out on a couple different occasions, and they were pretty harsh on my legs after an hour or so. My legs are somewhat in shape seeing that I run at least every other day, but I still think I need some more suitable fins. I have been searching and reading other posts and I find that they hint a little at what is best for surface swimming.

From what I understand, an angled, softer blade is ideal for my body size and swimming type. Would a shorter blade be better for this alpication? (havent seen much on weather the lengths make a huge difference). What material would be the best, carbon, composite, etc...?

Does anyone have any recomendations for a blade that blends in with the kelp (camo of some type, or does it even matter?), with an angle (does it really help with extended surface swimming?), and one soft enough to not kill my legs, mostly my shins or ankles, considering my weight, and the fact that I will not be going too deep while closer to the shore (maybe 30-40 feet max)?

Thank you.

[Newbie_spearo]

You could possibly get a new pair of blades for them, say 25's or 30's? they will be softer. Otherwise get hold of some sporasub instinct fins the green blade is softer than the black but I think either will suit you fine. You should be able to pick up a pair pretty cheap as sporasub is now Mares and they are clearing the sporasub products.

[ulysses]

cheezwedge,

I will send you a pair of used but fine Omer BAT 20 blades for free, if you cover shipping costs. Of course, the lack of an appropriate angle is not ideal, but the stiffness grade should suit your physique and is OK for shallow water/medium depth hunting.

Here is link with some pics of the blade in question:
=> Pinne Bat Omer - Pinna mimetica in tecnofibra

Cheers, ulysses

[hteas]

As an alternative to the generous offer by Ulysses, check out Florida freedivers. They carry SpecialFins fiberglass fins. The Medium kelpie should work extremely well down there. Depends on how much money you can afford.
Florida Freedivers - Spearfishing & Freediving Gear
You will have to contact them directly to get a current price sheet and a full list of what they stock.
A dive partner had a pair of Bat 25s, which he did not like. He switched to SpecialFins hybrids, in medium, and has been very happy with them.

[cheezwedge]

Ulysses, I sent you a PM, but I will try a pair of the bat 20's before I try anything else more expensive. Let me know your info and how you wanna do it, just PM me.

[ulysses]

Have a look at your PM inbox.

Cheers, ulysses

[ILDiver]

If you don't like the Bat 20's maybe you could send them my way for a test, then the next person in line I could send them to for a test. Make them traveling blades, see how far around the world we can get them to go Just kidding of course.

Ulysses, why did you stop using them, if I may ask?

[sciencemike]

Hey cheezwedge,

As for the cammo in the kelp, i really wouldnt worry about that. There have been many discussions about just that same thing, and what i have gotten mostly out of it is that- You want a fin you can see when it gets knocked off your foot our out of your hand. If you look at some of the best divers fins here in cali, you see that some even put reflective tape. I remember specifically seeing seaholic's fin in his video with reflective fish tape on it.

Mr. McIntyre one of our most knowledgeable divers uses EDGE/Matrix fins, and colored them black with a sharpie pen.

I use ice fins, but the clear fins are more for making me smaller and less threatening and shows less movements for underwater photography where i like to get within inches of my prey. Although i do hunt with them as well.

If you are in PV/Laguna areas in the next few weeks, you could hook up with us and try out some of our fins as well. Between my group of divers we have Omer ice fins, cressi garra 2000, edge/matrix, and C4 carbons, and my buddy alvin just got some fiberglass fins (I dont know what kind).

[cheezwedge]

Sounds like it would be fun Sciencemike. I am actually in Costa Mesa this week, and found a little kelp bed in Crystal Cove state park that me and another beginner hunter friend of mine went to last weekend. Maybe we could work something out.