Beginning free diving... Mono or bi fins?

[Woogie]

I've never been free diving. Always been interested in it. I got friends and family that do scuba, but honestly free diving has more allure to me.

So until it warms up some more (and seeing I can't afford a trip to the tropics) I've been pouring over as much info as I can.

My question has to do with gear. Mainly fins. I love the concept of mono fins but I'm unsure if they are a wise choice for a total noob. Is there any benefit of starting free diving with bi fins or does it really come down to personal preference?

 

[baiyoke]

I'd say there's a huge benefit starting with bi-fins. Shortly put: Start slowly, build muscles, build technique, build confidence... so start with small bifins, and train both dolphin kick and the normal bi-fin kick Straighten legs!

 

[Woogie]

I'd say there's a huge benefit starting with bi-fins. Shortly put: Start slowly, build muscles, build technique, build confidence... so start with small bifins, and train both dolphin kick and the normal bi-fin kick Straighten legs!

Ok, makes sense. On that note, are there any bi-fins you'd suggest for a beginner on reasonably tight budget?

 

[baiyoke]

Just something that fits you well and is cheap... Later you might want to upgrade to longer bi-fins to get down or up more effectively. But if properly weighted, you can even swim down. Train duckdive and finning technique in a pool

One thing: Since you are a beginner, I don't know if you know, but just in case... If you do breathold in water, you need someone to watch you... Someone who knows about freediving, black out and what to do... So not just the local lifeguard. You can however do short underwater swims in a public pool. But don't let it slide into longer and longer dives. By short I mean really short by your own standards... Safety first!

I know a guy who did 155m Dynamic with these babys Avanti Superchannel FF - Full Foot - Mares

 

[baiyoke]

But honostly just buy something that fits you, it's really not about the fin...

 

[Woogie]

Good advice all around. My static time is 2min flat, something I hope to approve with out-water excercises.

However I was going to post on the forum to see there are any divers around the Chicago area possibly willing to show a newbie the ropes.

 

[Woogie]

I can't seem to edit my earlier post....

I was wondering why you would start with short fins? From a money standpoint I'd rather purchase one pair of fins rather two. From a training perspective, the learning curve would be steeper but wouldn't it be benefital to learn with larger fins, so you get used to using them sooner?

 

[monkeyhatfork]

I started with a mono fin i dont think it matters either way. And if ur gunna mainly be in the pool doing dynamics a mono might make more sense. I love monos, that said ive mostly been using bi fins this year cause they are easier for photography plus my monos have not joined me in hawaii yet. if u have beginner equalizing problems in depth dives bi fins or no fins can be a tad easier just cause u tend to descend a little slower. Id say go with whatever captures ur imagination the most I think i probably got into freediving because of mono fins the second i saw one i thought I gotta have one of those, bi fins will also be allot cheaper u can pick up a pair of cressi Garra 3000's longblades for cheap I have an assortment of nice carbon fiber fins but honestly i use my plastic cressi fins the most. but yeah most importantly like baiyoke said getting something that fits well if of number one importance.

 

[baiyoke]

It is much, much easier for a beginner to control bifins (and for other also), so when trying to work on correct technique, it's just easier to separete diffent aspects when using bifins... body posture, equalisation, duckdive, finning technique, positioning etc. etc. Also the muscles that propel the fins are not big. The muscles in the legs are, so there's a 99,9% chance of getting the wrong technique build into the system...

But it's probably not impossible to adjust, and as monkeyhatfork proposes, if it's about something you just want to do, well you can... But consider this also:
- A guy from my local club wanted to buy one, and I offered him to borrow mine for a swim... 30 meters down the line he was so lactic, that he took it of and said "I'll wait a bit more before buying one..." and happily took his bifins on again
- A girl who have done 179m DYN national record (still holding), but been away from the pool for a long while, did nothing but dive with very small bifins for two months when comming back, to get her technique and muscle power back...

 

[baiyoke]

And one last thing: The effectivenes of a monofin is for most people exagerated in their minds. We are talking a small percentage over bifins, of course depending on the individual charateristics, but still.... For some people bifins might even be more effective I think...

 

[monkeyhatfork]

i use both and love both, love no fins too u really can't go too wrong either way. hope im not confusing u by arguing a bit tho. Mono fins are not that hard to control, if u have a super weak core it might take a session or two to get used to but ur body will sort it out and muscle builds rather quickly assuming ur gonna be putting some time in, if this is gonna be a once e very other month kinda thing go with bi-fins also if used properly monos should have less lactic build than bi-fins not more cause u are distributing the work over many muscle groups instead of legs only. as for the small fins they can help fin tune some muscle groups and techn. for dolphin kick not sure what the benefit would be much for bi fin unless ur legs really are pretty weak. I dont pool train anymore since i have daily ocean access so dont bother with that kind of training much anymore. id say it depends most on how obsessed u are and how much time u wanna put in. im a person that wants to be in water every day so having the strength is a non issue if this is something u are dabbling in maybe once a month or so than u want softer smaller easier more forgiving fins. allot of us are gear junkies too and im a believer in having the best tool for the job but if u go to poor parts of the world even hawaii for that matter u see locals just using whatever they can get they're hand on and can do some truly amazing dives with cheapo shit gear that i would thumb my nose at so u can use anything really but id say if ur gonna use it regularly and u have any athletic ability at all going straight to mono or long fins is fine. pic what interests u the most if u have ur heart set a mono but chose bi fins ur gonna be pining for that mono and end up getting one anyway. if u get serious about it I'm a believer in using all mono, bi, no fins variety is the best way to keep it fun and prevent burn out. i was thinking tho after reading some of baiyokes thought on training up to the gear that i should mention that i grew up a block from the ocean and so the first time freediving allready had over a decade of time in the water almost daily with fins bodyboarding so leg strength, comfort level, etc was a non issue if u are completely new to the water and or exercise then something like a mono fin might be a bit of a shock

 

[Whopperhead]

Wookie - Simply put..... buy these fins:

Cressi-Sub Gara 3000 LD - Spearfishing World

They are durable, long and great beginner to advance fins. They also make great back up or loaners when you decide to upgrade to some C4 Falcons (Carbon Fiber - Best on the market)

Any other advice on gear.......... please ask before you buy. I could save you money by not letting you make a bad purchase or unnecessary purchases.

 

[Whopperhead]

And one last thing: The effectivenes of a monofin is for most people exagerated in their minds. We are talking a small percentage over bifins, of course depending on the individual charateristics, but still.... For some people bifins might even be more effective I think...

I don't normally interject on other people's comments....... but you my friend are wrong.

Bi-Fins are NOT more effective. It takes me 6 kicks with a monofin to get to 'sink faze'. With Bi's it takes 11 sets of kicks. And that's with Carbons.

The biggest question is: are you strictly going to be diving Lines? or are you going to go freediving in Lakes and check things out in lakes. Bi-Fins are more practical for diving up and down, checking out a lake.

 

[Woogie]

Those Cressi were exactly what I decided on after researching. Masks will be a bit more difficult to size, buying from the interwebz. However I'm looking at the Sporasub mystic. Worst case scenario I end up return multiple pairs until I find one that fits well

 

[Whopperhead]

Buy this Mask: Aqualung Sphera Mask

This one fits almost all face sizes/ shapes. Even my kids can wear it and as you get better in Diving and dive deep, this mask works great!

 

[Woogie]

Buy this Mask: Aqualung Sphera Mask

This one fits almost all face sizes/ shapes. Even my kids can wear it and as you get better in Diving and dive deep, this mask works great!

I was looking at the aqualungs as well. I was bit concerned with the supposed lack of quality and image distortion of the lenses

 

[Whopperhead]

This mask is used by the Best of the Best. I use it for spearfishing and diving Lines. I have no problem with the vision aspect.

 

[Woogie]

Well besides those two complaints I've heard nothing but good things about them. Maybe I'll take a second look at them

 

[Woogie]

On a unrelated note, do think I should purchase a wet suit/weight belt before I start experimenting with free diving or wait till I figure out whether or not this is something I really enjoy before spending $150-300$ on a suit?

 

[Whopperhead]

Do you fish? Do you think you will spearfish? I'm not sure I've met someone who hasn't liked freediving. Unless you have some Lung disorder, I'm not sure why learning freediving wouldn't be something you could use throughout life. I would get a suit and if you do get one make sure it has these specs:

-5mm Open Cell Interior
- 2 piece. Jacket should have the hood on it, and get the High Waist Pants
- Neoprene exterior.

Here are some of my recommendations:

------------------- Cold Water Wetsuits | Nautilus Spearfishing – Miami Dive Shop | Page 2

Freediving Gear - Wetsuits - 2 Piece Suits - Spearfishing World

or

WETSUITS, Sporasub Spearfishing and Freediving Equipment