B.C. Free Dive, Spearfishing suit

[fintastic]

Hi all,
New to the forum world, and the Canada spearfishing world as well.
Wanted to ask a few of you what type of suit you use?
What's the tickness that you use all year round? or do you use two suits one for summer and one for winter?
Does anyone go out in winter? And if so how long can you stay out for with a good suit? My surf suit is not doing the job

Have any of you tryed the Riffe 7mm suit, or dove with anyone with one?
What type of dive fins are better for the cold water? open heel or enclosed?
Any advice would be greatly apperciated...

Thanks Garret

 

[efattah]

I use a 7.5mm Elios yamamoto 45 suit. How long I can spend in the water depends on the water temp (4C vs. 8C is a huge difference), and it also depends on how much heat I am generating (diet, exercise, sleep, time of day, etc.) but usually I am in for 45min to 90min in one session.

There was a time when I could stay in for hours in a 6.5mm suit (when I was very 'cold' acclimatized).

Some people will shiver instantly in a 7.5mm.

 

[Erik]

Welcome Garret, and I hope to see you this Summer.
I wear a 7mm Elios suit and have been known to wear a full 3mm Elios top over top or at least a 3mm vest over. That's for 8C water up north. Inside passage in the summer the water can be 14c at depth and warmer at the surface: I've worn a 3mm Elios with a 3mm vest and spent hours in the water hunting.
Custom suit all the way man. And Beuchat makes the best wet glove I've ever tried. If I'm not wearing those, I have OSS dry gloves on.

Cheers,
Erik

 

[fintastic]

Hey Guys, Thanks for the info.
Where did you get the Elios suits? did you go to europe to get them fitted? can't seem to find any place that has them in north america.
Sounds like the 7mm is the minimum for canadian waters.

I have been getting about an hour out of my 6,5,4mm surf suit, so i think a proper dive suit will make not want to get out of the water : ) I was in port renfrew last weekend and the water was very clear, and cold. Did not see any fish though, lots of see weed and a massive sea lion... the surf was realy good.

What type of dive fins are better for the cold water? open heel or enclosed?
I find the open heel alows for more circulation to the feet.... but maybe not as good of a fit? not sure what is the common practice...

Garret

 

[Erik]

Garret you have to order the suit off the Elios website. There is a custom-order size chart so that they get it right... and they do. We get a wholesale price because there is no retailer in Canada, but the shipping is fairly expensive. If you can get a few people in your area to order at the same time to split costs is a great idea.
News

On the other hand if you get a rack suit that fits then that would be ok, but your cost would still end up being about the same as an Elios custom. Do not buy a rack suit without trying it on.

Fins: closed heel freediving fin ie: OMER/Beauchat/NEMO fiberglass. Search the site here for reviews and opinions. Most of us need a fiberglass soft or medium blade with a 5mm sock in it.

Not many fish near Vancouver, which is why we go to Port Hardy.

 

[Erik]

Garret there are lots of freedivers in Van (well, relative to Alberta). You should try and hook up, maybe try some gear and get some pointers for spots. Not too many spearos, but some world-class freedivers.

 

[NiallFlinn]

Hi folks,

I'll be moving to Vancouver from London this summer (planning to arrive late June), and I'll be looking to hook up with people to freedive and spear with. One of the reasons for my move is that I want be able to go diving more easily than I can in London. Looks like the first thing to do before I leave Europe is to order a thicker suit from Elios than my 5mm

So, where do Van/BC freedivers hang out? Are there any pool sessions?

Cheers,

Niall

 

[Erik]

When I was competing I was a member and met lots of great people: Freedive Canada - Home

 

[NiallFlinn]

Looks like a good place to start! Thanks!

Niall

 

[nz676]

Im located in van and i have a spare open cell suit size large spare freediving fins and a spare belt. There are a few places around vancouver that have decent freedive gear now. International dive center rents oceaner suits as well they are a omer and technisub rep so they have lots of omer gear and all sizes of suits to try on. We have a small group and some really amazing hidden spots we freedive. More than willing to help u guys out with any questions also vancouver apnea club has pool traing sessions every other wensday

 

[NiallFlinn]

Secret spots sound pretty good! Will have to get in touch when I arrive (and my gear has been shipped)! Really excited about diving somewhere new!

Hey, here's another question: do people often come across giant pacific octopuses? Saw one in an aquarium in Lisbon last year and they're HUGE! Would love to see one in the wild

Niall

 

[nz676]

you see octipi from time to time never seen anything really large but im sure if you were on a mission to find one you could. You look for a trail of crab shells and other debris that lead under rocks or into a crevis shine in a light and if your lucky there in there looking back.