any suggestions- what to look for in fins?

[jacques shuran]

Hi,
I'm planning to buy my first ''real'' freediving fins. But i can't decide between cressi ''gara 3000'' and ''dolphin FRD'' monofin from 'specialfins' ( specialfins.com ).
I really like that monofin but it's twice as expensive than cressi's are and i'd have to order it online. If you have any good advices or experiences with any of those fins please help.

Thanks in advance

[kelp princess]

hello jacques,

IF and where you can i would suggest trying these different types in the water before purchase IF you can. If you have friends or colleagues who have the fins you want to try grab them and get in the water.

I obviously was looking for some advice myself and gleaned wonderful and useful info here on this thread, and am eternally grateful for it, but then the physical experience of trying them on in water that is what gave me my true answers.

so covert, azapa, lockedin, everyone else ya'll rule for your guidance and suggestions

i ended up realizing that with a 3 mil (not too snug) neoprene sock with rubberized bottom that the smallest of the Omer footpockets work best for me. i might end up getting a pair of waterways footpockets to serve as my cold-water footpocket since they run bigger and i will need more coverage in a thicker sock.

simple fin keepers are a MUST! and even though i have a small foot ( size 6.5 womens) i got the Large sized fin keepers.

Jacques - if you get bi-fins get fin keepers - they'll make yoour life so much easier and feet much happier.


i was fortunate to be able to try mandy-rae's carbon fiber c-4 40's which were some special extra stiffness - Not for me! i'm going to get a softer blade and progress nice and slow

also Jacques - even if the fins or foot pocket fit you nicely you will get a few sore on your 2nd and 3rd toes from using your foot in a new way so i'd suggest putting small band-aids on those toes (around the knuckles/joints) to pre- prevent rubbing.

and Jacques it seems that the mono-fin is the way to go IF you are trying to go deeper on target dives, as opposed to ab diving or spearfishing where you may need more maneuverability to frog kick & hover with bi-fins.

happy shopping!



cheers,

kp

[jacques shuran]

Thanks princess.
I posted that thread few weeks ago so i have already bought Cressi's gara 3000 and they're perfect. i wore them without socks and i didn't feel any discomfort. actually i had bought 5 mm neoprene socks but didn't have a chance to try them out yet.
this is the first time i heard about fin keepers- what exactly are they used for?


Thanks!

[DRW]

Fin keepers, also known as fin retainers and fin grips, were invented in France, where they are known as "fixe-palmes", in the early 1960s. They are triangular rubber straps, worn over the ankle, arch and instep of each foot to keep full-foot fins secure. They're popular with underwater hockey players and also with drysuit wearers who have found that they keep their boots free of surplus air.

Here's a picture of a pair of fin grips:

gd-asset_7453115.jpg

Here's how they're worn and the range of colours available:

.jpg

Click on the above image to take a closer look.

[jacques shuran]

thanks drw!

so they're used to keep your fin in the right place, to prevent it from falling of or do they have another purpose?

Thanks in advance!

by the way, does anybody know anything about hands free equalisation?

[DRW]

They're multi-purpose devices, Jacques.

• You can use them to keep full-foot fins on your feet in strong currents.
• They will make loose-fitting full-foot fins more secure.
• They are used by underwater hockey playes who do not want their fins to be dislodged in the rough and tumble of a game.
• They are used by some drysuit wearers to keep surplus air out of the foot area when wearing open-heel fins.

You might find this thread of interest:

Fin Retainers - ScubaBoard

David

[jacques shuran]

Thanks David, you've been really helpful!

I don't think i really need 'em, but i know how to make 'em if i ever do!

Thanks again!!

[kelp princess]

Originally Posted by jacques shuran

thanks drw!


by the way, does anybody know anything about hands free equalisation?

hi JS - try checking out the frenzel technique advice here:

http://forums.deeperblue.net/beginne...technique.html

good luck and be patient w/ yourself!



kp

[jacques shuran]

Hi Princess!

I've been looking for info on HANDS FREE equalisation and the link you posted is based on the frenzel tehnique, but thanks a lot, i appreciate your help! Actually i found that info few days ago!

Thanks again!

Jakov

[kelp princess]

here's another interesting article on equalizing that may be of use to you:

Practical Ear "Clearing"

good luck in your endeavors!



kp