I would say that to start with I'd go for a leaderfins glass fibre with the angled blade or open foot pockets. It really depends if you felt Adels footpockets were comfy or you like the closed Bi fins pocket (they are heavier). I'd go for a medium stiffness blade and just practice and see how you get on. I do favour the mono over the bi's, I feel that the mono becomes an extension of me, and I don't get that from wearing bi's. There are so many makes of mono's now and thay are all quite good so I'd just opt for the most simple one and go for the glass fibre blade which is the same as Adels. There are also a lot of threads on which is the best monofins on the forums so check those out too before deciding. Look forward to hearing about your monofin action soon then.

Ei Sarah. Hope you can find a way to get near warm ocean water again sometime. Though I live on the ship now, in October, November, December - I'll need to rent a place to stay in Hawaii. If you are on this side of the world - please do not be a stranger. I hope you will come visit and stay.

Got my kit back from Alitalia Airlines. Fins and suit good. No damage. They apparently liked Spain, and wanted to stay on vacation.

After 5 days, I'm glad to say ringing in left ear is decreased, and hearing is coming back. Doing alright here. On ship until August 20th though. Water, water everywhere... but alas - no conditions for swimming here. (sigh). Someday I'll be on land, and able to be in the water more.

In my spare time, I've been reading the forums/researching monofins. Borrowing Adel's was SO fun. It changed the way I enjoy being in the water! I'm still learning about what's out there - and it seems there are a number more options than there were 18 years ago. Are there any brands/make model that you would recommend?

http://www.leaderfins.com/cgi-bin/form.cgi/63spa
http://www.specialfins.com/eng_produ...?product_id=20

Tobin, that sounds awful what has happened to your ear....oh dear no pun intended. I hope it clears up soon. That is bad news about your dive gear, what went missing, just your suit or anything else? Hope you had insurance, are they still looking for it? airlines suck!! they are forever loosing stuff. I hope you get it all back and get some compensation.

Travel back to Honolulu had its ups and downs. The "up" part - was that the airlines lost my diving gear. The thought of having to buy a new wetsuit (likely an Elios with nylon outer lining) was very rough, indeed.

Of all places, I had trouble clearing my sinuses on the airplane - and now have this full feeling + 35% loss of hearing + slight ringing in my left ear. My hearing was perfect before the airplane rides (and two days before) - so I can tell it was not from diving. From reading on the deeperblue message boards - it seems likely that there is some fluid on the inner side of the typanic membrane, and this slowly will go away over the course of a few weeks.

I'm at sea currently - and to verify my prognosis, will have to see if I can visit the doctor the next time we are in port.

Hey Sara,
Back on ship.
Exhausted.
Can definitely relate.
Will keep you posted.
Rest well.

Thanks Tobin, Are you back on board the ship? How are you feeling, I know I'm still recovering. I went straight back to work on Monday morning after our flight Sunday but I now have 3 days off of which I am planning to do absolutely nothing but rest. Keep in touch as I'll be intersted in your travels and any more freediving you plan to do. Take care, Sarah x

Ei Sara. Congratulations on the AIDA Instructor cert.