Advanced monofins

[Walrus]

Hi Guy,
didn't see your post there. Sounds like a few of us down under are getting a Hyper fin. Blame it on Ant, he comes back with a fancy russian fin and we are all like "cool if I have to get me one of those".

See you at another NZ comp perhaps. This time just go for an easy 7min or so, should be plenty

Wal

 

[Mullins]

Hey Wal,

Yeah I did actually whack the bottom with my knees a couple of times in that pool, especially towards the end of my swim when my technique was falling to bits :crutch

I ordered the XXL footpockets which are size 45 according to their chart. I have the "320mm" (size 45 I think) pockets on my waterway which were very tight when I first got it but have loosened a bit over time. The Hyper footpockets feel significantly sloppier than those on the waterway. I normally wear shoes that are american size 13 (ish).

Omer fins in size 44-46 are very tight on me, takes thin socks and a real effort to get into them. Picasso fins in size 44-46 are about right - tighter than most spearos prefer but not painful.

I think that if I had ordered the next size down on the Leaderfins chart the footpockets would have been too short. These ones are the right length, it's just the tops of them don't clamp my feet down like I'd expect them to. If I was to order another one I would ask them to keep the length but tighten up the rubber that forms the tops of the footpockets and possibly thicken it a bit - it's pretty thin and as the part that transfers all the power it feels like it should be more rigid.

 

[Walrus]

Thanks David.
Yeh I have a similar problem with the waterway footpockets. I have the 320mm which is good in length although allows some sideways movement so is too wide. The top of the foot is fine so sideways movement is not a problem. I also use the medium and stiff footpockets so there is little give, and no power loss. Waterway normally put soft footpockets on the LD, medium on the MD and stiff on the sprint fin. But I ordered a LD with Medium FP, and a LD/MD in between fin with stiff footpockets. I use that fin for constant and there is almost no flex at all thru the footpocket, really great power transfer. But can only wear for 10-15 minutes max.

I am about US size 12, and also use Picasso 44-46 but are a great fit on me, so not too tight or loose. Will talk to Leaderfins, see if they can do any variations in footpockets. I know the Hyper Pro's are handmade so may offer more options. The Normal Hypers are standard made size so not sure if they can do much.

I wait for the day someone will build a monofin with C4 mustang style footpockets. It's funny because Andy & I thought of that a few years back, but then am sure many people have before, after all it's just a shoe with laces!
Until then I don't think anyone can build footpockets with both comfort and performance, you have to choose one, sometimes you get neither. :waterwork

Cheers,
Wal

 

[Mullins]

Just an update on the Hyper - tried it in the lake over the weekend, felt pretty good especially in the glide phase. I was wearing 3mm bootie, footpockets were still a bit on the loose side but it didn't really seem to affect the performance. Leaderfins have offered to adjust the footpockets if I send the fin back to them, will probably take them up on that. Shipping is quite expensive but it's a damn good mono except for the footpockets, so worth getting it right.

 

[X-Fins]

Hi Mullins !!! one comment, in wing type mono are not suitable to use neoprens socks (bootie???). Are you using a little bit of soap of schampoo?? that help to put your foot in the footpocket. Optionally, you can cut a rectangle a plastic bag for the foot in order to avoid blisters or damage in your skin.

Best regrds, Luis

 

[Mullins]

Hi Luis,

I would definitely prefer not to have to use booties, but the footpockets are far too large. Without booties to fill up the space, my feet would almost fall out. Leaderfins have kindly offered to tighten them for me, but in the meantime I have a comp to go to and will have to just put up with wearing the booties (probably 2 layers...)

Dave

 

[Kars]

Hello folks,

About a month ago I had to chance to swim a very small distance, 2x25m with a Leaderfins Freediving Monofin "Flyer Professional" http://www.leaderfins.com/cgi-bin/form.cgi/63eng?id=197&tm=1147177328
I'm a bit hesitant to report because it's such a small experience, but her it is anyway.
To set the enviroment variables a bit: I have about 2,5 Year of monofinning experience, using waterway fins, model 2 middle Distance, and model 1 long distance. I've also had the chance to try out Felicia's fins on the World Championship in rennes. She uses the "One Wing" http://www.polyorg.de/product_info.php?products_id=20010103&XTCsid=ec54884c858cc59e96fe27554409102d
Perhabs it's nice to sart of with Felica's fin.
Felicia's fin is a real nice step from my model 1 long distance, the angle really helps, and though my feet where much bigger than hers I appreciated the soft rubber anatomic inlays very much. The floor, where your 'stands on' in the WaterWay is flat, no support for the power/weight for the inner arched foot side. <heck I lack some English foot-terms here...!> The action of the blade was also great compared to what I'm used to, and the stability offered by the wings is very noticeble. I don't know about the depth experience with this 'one wing'.

Now on to my short "Flyer Professional" experience.
The Footpocked did fit, and felt comfortable, especially to my toes. The angle was not big but made a good difference. The fin was verry heavy from al the rubber on it. It's negative in the water, and is clearly not made to do sprints with. ( I can pull a reasoneble sprint with a ww model 1 LD, 26 sec/50m). The weight slows down the fins action, delaying it in a way, it's very different compaired to WW's fins, and also the One Wing. I cannot say after this short try weather it's benefitial or not. If I was forced to offer a opion comparing the "Flyer Professional" with my WW Model 1 LD, I would say the Flyer feels to me about 10% better in terms of efficientcy. Compairing from memory the Flyer with the One Wing, I would prefer a One wing because it feels lighter, quicker action, comfortable and anatomic footsole footpocked.

Please keep in mind this is not my definitive opinion, because I feel I would need more testing to be able to make a solid comparison.

I would love to hear about experiences with The new WaterWay NEW “GLIDE Fin”, and I hope Carlos Coste finds the time to share his experience with us.
(I've mailed him a few weeks back)

I see there I a big need for a comparison review of monofins. There are many people who want to have a bit more certainty buying such an expensive gift to themselves.

Ciao,

Kars

 

[PoseidonSv]

Maybe DeeperBlue could get the makes of monofins to send some monos for review by some experienced freediver and monofinner.

There is so many different out there and so many different opinions about them.

 

[BennyB]

Clear!!.......BZZZ..... beep..beep..beep...

Ok, the thread's revived

It seems the monofin I tried a while back will be incredibly hard to obtain unless I go to Russia and talk to the guys myself. So, back to Plan A.

On the Polyorg website (I have another thread going asking people for their experiences with this company) they have a range of monofins, some of which have already been discussed in this thread. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with the Kershkov "Gipper" (the 2nd more expensive model) and the Hyperfin. In particular the Hyperfin looks excellent but there's not many details to go on in terms of buoyancy, rubber type, etc.

Anyone have any comments? This is making selecting and Elios wetsuit look like a walk in the park!

Cheers,
Ben

 

[marginatus]

This is making selecting and Elios wetsuit look like a walk in the park!

I know that feeling... but there's some kind of pleasure in it. Right?

 

[GirlOfWater]

Hey BennyB!
Last weekend in Aarhus I did get the chance to try a russian monofin and fell completely in love. So now I'm also trying to find the best way to get one myself and been checking out the polyorg site. I've sent them a mail asking for some info, but haven't got any answers yet. Have you been in contact with them? I find the andonov and hyperfin most interesting, and I will almost be ready to make an order once I find out how...
Let me know if you find out something new

Elisabeth

 

[BennyB]

Hi Elisabeth,

I was just this second about to write to them actually

I'll have to check my photos from Nice, but I think Stig may have been using a fin very similar to the Hyperfin (same colour on top anyway). The two i've attempted to narrow down are one of the Gippers and the Hyperfin, though these two I know the least about. I'll post something if I find anything out.

Cheers,
Ben

 

[rafacuatic]

Hi.
I bought a cheap waterway from Polyorg for a friend,and i was waiting for it 6 months???
My Leaderfins Flyer was in my hands in two weeks from the factory.
Rafa

 

[GirlOfWater]

Yes, Stig's monofin is almost identical (from what I can tell from the pic of the hyperfin...). He, Peter and Henning bought their fins from Russia, from some contact of Natalia M. I think. I was lucky enough to try out Henning's fin, and I have no doubt that it's this kind of monofin I want!!! So, there's only the practical matters that's left for my part...
Rafacuatic, how much was the transport costs for the fin? Any advice on the easiest way to order? But wow, 6 months is a LONG time.

Elisabeth

 

[rafacuatic]

The WW mono(95 e) and transport was 130 euros from polyorg...but 6 months waiting.
From Leaderfins the price is the same that in the web,trasport included.
Rafa

 

[X-Fins]

Hi !!! usually I avoid to write about purchases questions here, but Rafa let my remind you (and salute you, of course) you taked advantage for a special offer done in Spain for your monofin, also for Hyper as our Valencian (JB) friend has. Some times there are offers about bags or personalization choices depending of the season.

With best regards, Luis

un abrazo Rafa

With best regards, Luis

 

[OceanMan]

The hyper is indeed the monofin of the danish team (stig, Pedersen, Henning etc...).
But the fact that there is a picture of this monofin on the website doesn't really mean they can provide the real monofin and the real same one than stig's. I spoke to Stig at Nice and he said that he had a lot of trouble to get the monofin. These guys in Russia have another attitude of mind: it seems that they are not interested in making money by selling the fin... Stig first ordered one monofin he thought was the right one (I don't know from who) but when he received it, it was not the right fin. He finally got it via natalia Molchanova but it took him 1.5-2 years before getting the right monofin. If polyorg was really providing easily this monofin I don't think Stig would have gone through all this.
But I contacted polyorg anyway a few weeks ago. They told me they could ship to all Europe. I asked to have the emails of one or two customers from Polyorg who have bought the hyperfin to ear their opinion about the fin (and also about polyorg itself as there seem to be several bad experiences with polyorg through germans forums indeed BennyB (it seems that we have done the same researches)). A week later polyorg forward-email me two emails that I assumed were the emails I asked for. Hence, I sent them emails to ask about the fin and polyorg. No answer yet....

I would really like to buy this fin but there are just too many bad experiences/opinions about this website...

 

[rafacuatic]

The Hyper from Leaderfins is not the same mono like the Hyperfin(not easy to get) in Polyorg web.They are different brands.....
Rafa

 

[BennyB]

Interesting, it's quite a confusing little market. The HYPERFINS website has Natalia Molchanova as a contact for the freediving queries. Maybe these are the fins the Danes have but then again the website could be older.

Matthias - Peter P told me that story as well, sounds like a nightmare! Would be good to hear if you get any feedback from those customers.

It seems like the Polyorg website may be a 50/50 bet. I don't want to slag them off too much on a public forum, I doubt many of their customers would look at this forum anyway so it might be painting an unfair picture of them.

Keep in mind too with the World Cup on at the moment Germany might be grinding down to a halt, along with half of Europe.

Still, if anyone wishes to comment on their experiences with them but remain anonymous please feel free to PM me.

 

[OceanMan]

All along in my post I am talking about the hyperfin from polyorg, not the hyper from leaderfin.