How much weight in Vancouver?

[odd.i.c.]

Hi all!
I'm going to be freediving in Vancouver. I tried going through the other thread about weight and realized it's rather specific to the individual.
This is me: 6'2" (not that I think it matters), 175ish lbs, 5mm Oceaner/PFI comp. wetsuit, 3 mm socks, 3mm gloves. So...any thoughts on how much weight I will need? Also, does anyone have any idea where I might find a good rubber belt in Vancouver?
Thanks!

[JPPLAY]

I would buy 14 lbs of 2 lbers if you are doing both recreational freediving and competitive freediving. 14 lbs will be about the max you will need for shallow recreational freediving. You could buy 16 lbs to make sure.

I don't know about buying a rubber belt in Vancouver but you can order in a high quality Rob Allen belt from the US.

[efattah]

It also depends on if you pack (and how much), and what style of diving you do, heavy ballast or light ballast. If you pack and also dive heavy ballast, then probably 16lbs would be the max. If you don't pack and dive light, then you might need as little as 6-8lbs.

To my knowledge rubber belts can't be purchased in retail stores in Vancouver.

[odd.i.c.]

Thanks to both of you! That's great advice. You're both on the same page and I know efattah by reputation, so I think I've got the info I need. Thanks again!

[harbour seal]

hey odic,

the only thing i might add is regarding the weights themselves is that i prefer using 2 X 4 lb weights and the rest 2lb weights (at least when i am using a full suit and weight).

also, try and get the 4lb weights that you thread your belt over/under the centre, which then keeps it in-place on the belt. i find the 2lb weights, with the belt running only through the middle, tend to move around (unless you wear your belt down on your hips and keep them off to the sides, which i find easier on the back anyway). if you have all your weight of the 2lb weights of that type they may move around on you.

finally, i preferred the vinyl/plastic covered weights if you can find them (at least for the 4lb ones).

as far as weight belt, i bought my rubber belt/mask/fins/snorkel/float from spearfishinggear.com

one last thing, if your weights move around on your belt make sure to get a "stopper" (i bought a 50cent plastic thingy from MEC used for waist belts of packs). now, if you are near the edge on a dive and loosen your belt and ascend holding only the buckle, all the weights won't fall off the end.

the purpose of loosening the belt is that if you bo you will let go of the belt and (hopefully) float to the surface.

cheers,
sean

[odd.i.c.]

Thanks for the advice harbour seal! I just have one question... If I have 2x4lbs, and the rest 2lbs, or even all 2 lbs, don't I end up with a whole bunch of weight on my belt? Wouldn't it be easier just to have a couple of 5lbs and add weight from there?

[harbour seal]

Originally Posted by odd.i.c.

Thanks for the advice harbour seal! I just have one question... If I have 2x4lbs, and the rest 2lbs, or even all 2 lbs, don't I end up with a whole bunch of weight on my belt? Wouldn't it be easier just to have a couple of 5lbs and add weight from there?

absolutely, 2 X 5 lbs will work as well. the weight you use will mostly depend on the thickness of your wetsuit and your style of diving (as eric mentioned).

with a 5-6mm suit i would guess you will need around 14-16lbx (+/-2lbs). however, if you haver a thinner 3mm suit, are not packing and diving deeper, you may end up needing only 8lbs.

you will need to play around with the weighting at first but it is easy to get sorted out. my first time out i was underweighted by a fair bit and was a freekin' cork and had to hold onto the bottom to stay down as i was diving pretty shallow (for inhale diving, underweighted is likely better than way overweighted though).

in the end, it comes down to personal preference of what you find comfortable, provides the correct ballast and will stay in-place while you dive.

cheers,
sean

[Amphibious]

I use a pair of curved 6lb weights,one on each hip, the rest of my weight is in 3x2lb squares across the back of the belt. seems a nice config. 200lb diver 7mm top, 5mm pants. if diving is anticipated any deeper then 75ft I like to drop 2lbs.

[odd.i.c.]

This is all great advice, thanks! With the rubber belt, I've noticed that there are two different types of buckle, the conventional quick release that is used for scuba and the Maresailles(sp????) buckle. What's the difference? Is one better for freediving?

[harbour seal]

Originally Posted by odd.i.c.

This is all great advice, thanks! With the rubber belt, I've noticed that there are two different types of buckle, the conventional quick release that is used for scuba and the Maresailles(sp????) buckle. What's the difference? Is one better for freediving?

the difference is that the marseillaise type uses a similar buckle to the leather belt you use in your pants everyday, whereas the other type, is as you described, a quick release that easily pops open.

the marseillaise type is used more commonly by spearfishers and others who don't want the buckle accidentlally popping open. one deeperblue user (i can't remember who) explained that he often scuttles along the bottom and scrapes into and out of holes so much that he didn't want his belt popping off and thus uses the marseillaise type.

there are other styles of quick-release buckles out there as well---most notably one designed by the russian navy, which is metal and pretty funky looking.

most freedivers seem to prefer the quick-release type that can be easily opened/dropped in cases of emergency. actually, best to consider your belt as an expendable piece of gear so you won't hesitate to drop it if the need arises.

cheers,
sean

ps. not sure what gear you have but if you are buying the whole works fins/mask/snorkel/socks spearfishinggear.com has a solid package deal that i bought and is working very well. the fins are omer millenium blacks and if so desired you can later replace the super durable plastic blades with more fragile high performance ones.

[Amphibious]

Originally Posted by harbour seal

one deeperblue user (i can't remember who) explained that he often scuttles along the bottom and scrapes into and out of holes so much that he didn't want his belt popping off and thus uses the marseillaise type.

.

that would/could be me. spend a lot of time belly scraping one way or another, the marseillaise belt was the only option.

[harbour seal]

Originally Posted by Amphibious

that would/could be me. spend a lot of time belly scraping one way or another, the marseillaise belt was the only option.

bingo!
amphibious, i was pretty sure i had it read it in one of your posts --- always informative and so much experience to draw upon that i pay close attention.

cheers,
sean

[Amphibious]

Originally Posted by harbour seal

bingo!
amphibious, i was pretty sure i had it read it in one of your posts --- always informative and so much experience to draw upon that i pay close attention.

cheers,
sean

easy there tiger, my head doesn't need to get any bigger

(thanks)

[odd.i.c.]

Thanks! I guess I'll go with a regular quick release, because I'm not a spearo. I'm more interested in swimming around and competition. Plus, I don't think my suit could handle too many rocks. The regular quick release buckle rubber belts are cheaper too! Thanks again!

[JPPLAY]

Swimming around you would still want the marseillaise. You will bump into rocks and such doing recreational freediving. For instance when you get caught in high current you might use pull yourself along the rocks. I lost a weightbelt doing this as I was using my marseillaise and a standard nylon scuba belt. The Marseillaise can be unclipped fast so don't let that hold you back from ordering one.
Remember spearfisherman are much more at risk then recreational or competitive freedivers. For instance the freediving safety vest is being designed in mind for spearfisherman not recreational freedivers though it will work for them.