Beginners monofin?

[arehelgesen]

I would like to buy a beginners monofin. Have been reading alot about different kinds, but can`t decide which is the best, so if you own one you barely use and can back up as a good beginner`s fin, I´m all ears

[samdive]

I'd recommend the Dolphin from Special Fins - probably with a medium blade to start with. It's not too expensive, very responsive and comfortable and you adjust the footpockets to fit if you need to.

I've used one for both Dynamic and CW and now have a carbon version. I have found it a lot easier to use than the Waterways I've tried and much more comfortable than the Specialfins monos with omer footpockets.

specialfins.com

[arehelgesen]

Thanks Samdive, I have taken a look at the dolphin, at it seems to be a good fin (Of course, since I´ve only read about it on the company`s website) But why did you recommend open footpockets instead of the Omer ones? Everyone`s saying that Omer footpockets is the most comfortable?

Thanks again!

[samdive]

I just don't like what I see as "stereo fin" footpockets on a monofin. They rubbed on my ankle bone and I felt like I lost a lot of power through my foot moving around in the pocket compared to the tighter fit "mono" pockets. It varies and depends on what you're used to. I started with a Waterway fin which had wrap around pockets - so that's probably what I'll always prefer

[arehelgesen]

I see...Well that puts me in the opposite direction for what I had originally planned I was thinking of getting one with footpockets...But now I´ll give it a second thought. Thanks for the quick reply! I do have some more questions though...

What kind of size do you recommend? I saw that the standard size is 72x66, but is this the best?

And I also need to buy a suit...I have been thinking about one from Elios, but are slightly confused about all the different qualities and such. Anything to recommend there? I understand that it depends on what you are using it for. I live in Norway, the water temperature seldom reaches more than 20 degrees, usually it´s between 10 and 17.(Probably the same as UK?), so I would probably need 5-7 mm?

I´ve probably got tons of other questions as well.. Thanks for good answers anyway!

[sanso]

Hey arehelgesen,

What's Your diving experience so far? It sounds a bit like You're just getting into the sport?
If so, I'd recommend giving the suit higher priority. Do You have a pair of fins? If so, You may want to find out how far you can get with them first. In the meantime You will learn lots about what to look for and what fin(s) to choose.
There has been a recent discussion on wetsuits in the equipment section, maybe you can get some answers there (and pop up some more questions, I bet). Choosing a suit is a science in itself.

[Fondueset]

or a 6 mil - also good to get a little 1 mil vest to put underneath - really helps when its very cold - I use mine to 2c.

[Jon]

For starting out I'm in favor of the full footpocket monofins. I have a Special fin Freediver model that is very comfortable and I can wear for hours. The blade has an angle to it so is comfortable for my stiff ankles. If you have flexible ankles then you can go with a straighter blade- like the Waterway NEMO fin.

I had a Dolphin carbon fin like Sam uses, but it tore up my feet- even with socks on! The fin itself wasn't as expensive as a full foot model and more closely resembles true fin-swimming fin, but for starting out comfort is key. Here's what my feet looked like after two pool session with my Dolphin mono.

I also included pics of the dolphin fin, freediver mono, and NEMO fins that I have owned. The NEMO fin has the most comfortable footpockets of all, but no blade angle. Whichever you get I would go with a soft(ish) blade to start with.

For your temps I would think a 5mm would be more than enough- but then I have more natural insulation that fondueset does.

Jon

[Fondueset]

I don't have as much experience as Jon with monofins - but my Waterway Wings Nemo rocks - I've done six hours with it. My daughter has a leaderfins Wings with omer pockets and I've actually used it with no socks for a few sprints - really nice.

[arehelgesen]

Wow, that was alot of help at once! thanks so much for all your advice! I´ts interesting to see that preferments are so different.

To Santo: your absolutely right, I have just gotten into freediving. I´ve been scubadiving for a while though. Sounds like a wise choice to give the suit higher priority. I only have apollo bio-fins so far. Do you think those are usable or should I consider pure freediving fins? I will surely have a look at the suit-discussion, I would reallu like to find the perfect one

To fondueset: Do you think having a vest underneath the suit is better than going for a thicker suit? Still, I really see the advantage of having that extra mm to adjust with!

To Jon: Man! That doesn´t look good! I have very wide feet, so comfort is of high priority Could you explain what you mean by a true fin-swimming fin? And what is the most important factor with the angle? Is it necessary for a beginner like me?

What do you all think about the factor that Sam mentioned about the Omer pockets; She said they could make your feet move around and that you lost some power?

[Jon]

If you go with a fin like the Dolphin you will have a tighter fitting footpocket- which means more of your kick will be directed to the fin blade. They are more efficient than the full-foot pocket models and I can swim faster with them. The problem that I have is not being able to wear one like this for more than 15 minutes. My full-foot pocketed fin I can wear for hours and hours.

Another advantage to the full-foot pocket, besides comfort, is that you can wear a thicker sock with it- which may be important for where you are diving. With my Dolphin monofin I could only squeeze a 3mm sock in. With my OMER pocketed fin, or the NEMO fin, I could wear a 5-6mm sock with it. Since you're looking at a 5mm-6mm suit already you might want to consider a monofin with a roomier footpocket so you can put a thicker sock on with it.

Since you have Apollo fins right now you could switch to any pair of long blades freediving fins and see improvements- plus, you could use them for scuba diving. Monofins might be something to move into at a later date?

I would go with the thinner suits and wear a vest. Once you buy a true freediving suit you'll see how much warmer they are compared to a scuba wetsuit.

Jon

[Fondueset]

I agree with Sam - but, and I can't speak for her, in general the tradeoff is power transmission for comfort. That, at least, is what my friends who use monofins pretty much universally say. There are exceptions of course, but the general rule is you trade time with the fin on for that clean transmission of force.

In winter here - when the water hovers at 2-3c - I use a 6 mil top, 5 mil bottoms and usually a 1.5 vest underneath. I like the vest because I can add it to my 3 mil, 5 mil or 6 mil. That said I've done lots of winter diving in just my 5 mil and had no problems as long as I did a few bursts of intense activity here and there. Thicker suits have bigger buoyancy changes with depth and are generally a little more awkward -though freediving suits in general are pretty comfy and easy to get around with.

On the monofin question - there is a definite learning curve - and it can be painful. Freediving fins (long blades) are very nice and really help conserve energy. If you get them, try and get some Omers - that way you'll know about the footpocket if you go with Leaderfins or Specialfins for a mono.

I really like the waterway Nemo - the pocket is not as comfortable for me as the Omer but just fine nonetheless and they are relatively inexpensive and VERY solidly put together.

[sanso]

I don't know the Apollo Bio Fin, but the name suggests that it may fit in here http://forums.deeperblue.net/bi-fins...ion+weird+fins ??
I'm pretty sure You'll be fine with a 5/6mm suit, btw.

[arehelgesen]

You are absolutely right Sanso I uploaded a picture of it from the weird fins collection. I believe I´ts kind of popular amongst divers in Norway. And the Norwegian navy`s scuba divers are using it. I don`t know how effective it is compared to regular fins, but it seems to be that it gives me an easier kick. Maybe it`s just an illusion though

At my local diving shop they actually have a pair of freediver fins in the same model. Would have been fun to try them out.

About the suit; I have e-mailed elios and asked about an offer, so I`m waiting in great anticipation!

[sanso]

Ah, it's a split fin. Well, You can always play with it and try others' freediving fins when You get a chance. - That way you'll gain a lot of experience and that's worth something.

What did You ask elios for? (Just curious.) They are just great, yesterday I got an email telling me that my new suit is on the way.