Cheap Fins for a beginner - advice please?

[jules1972]

Hi,

I've nearly worked out all the kit that i'm after buying but am struggling to come to terms with paying £70-80 for a pair of fins to start spearfishing with - it seems extortionate!
Can anybody recommend some fins that i can go with to get me going around the £30-50 mark please? i'd really appreciate the advice thanks.
also, should i be using socks with the fins or can i use my surfing boots? If socks, what thickness?

Many thanks Jules

 

[blueface]

Cressi garas are great all around fins and they're not so expensive.

 

[Broseidon]

I made the mistake of buying cheap fins when I started out - seriously, they were a complete waste of money, completely useless for spearing in.

Bit the bullet and picked up some Omer Milleniums for ~£60 from www.apnea.co.uk - superb fins, would recommend!!!

I use mine with a 5mm sock for a snug fit!

 

[jules1972]

Thanks a lot broseidon - so how many sizes larger do a 5mm sock make the fin? I'm a size 11, which is the 44-46 on the apnea site, should i go for the 46-48's?

 

[Broseidon]

No worries Jules, I was told that the best bet was to buy your fins one size bigger than your actual foot size, I'm a size 8 in normal shoes, so bought my fins in size 9, which best equated to a size 42-44.

With 5mm socks, I'd guess a 46-48 would be perfect for you.

 

[jules1972]

blueface - been checking out the cressi gara fins and they look good- i don't suppose you wear socks with fins in guam so i shan't bother asking you what difference a sock makes to the sizing.

 

[thedodd]

yeah i also would reccomend the omer milleniums, i run mine witha 3mm sock but 5mm works great too as the omers run wide. They are also great because alot of companies make glass and carbon blades for that foot pocket when your ready to upgrade.

 

[blueface]

blueface - been checking out the cressi gara fins and they look good- i don't suppose you wear socks with fins in guam so i shan't bother asking you what difference a sock makes to the sizing.

I don't use socks with the garas but my friends use regular fin socks made by Omer? Not quite sure. If the pockets are soft enough then I can get by without socks. With my Beuchat fins I use nylon dress socks. They are very thin and offer some protection.

 

[devondave]

Jules, for your first fins it would be useful if you could go to a shop and try them on with some socks.
Fit is quite important and until you're used to makes and sizes, you might order the wrong ones without trying them on.
Just my thoughts on the matter.

Regards,
Dave.

 

[jules1972]

thanks devondave, i'm just off on a road trip from north devon to southampton on tuesday for a couple of days and going to see if i can't pop into a few spearfishing shops along the way,
you know of any good ones?

 

[devondave]

Jules I'm afraid there are not that many, good or otherwise.
The two that spring to mind that have a comprehensive stock are O'Three in Portland and Scubadiving store in Paignton.
There are lots of good online stores but it's a bewildering world if you're starting out.
Mate, my advice would be to take a day off, go and see Anthony at the scubadiving store ( 01803 523023 ), tell him the guys from db recommended him to you.
Say you want the full works with a discount, tell him where you will do most of your fishing and a rough budget.
I really can't praise Anthony enough, everyone who deals with him will tell you the same, he will sort you out with the right kit, not rip you off or sell you stuff you don't need (that comes later when the 'must have shiny things' bug gets you.)

It's a big outlay to buy all the gear at once, but once you get it all home and spread over the floor and start pawing it, it's like all your christmases and birthdays have come at once.
Anyway that's what I would do in your position.

Regards,
Dave.

 

[jules1972]

Thanks devondave, great advice. i spoke to anthony earlier today, it's just a shame that i'm not heading that way this week but going to dorset instead and i'm kind of getting a lust for this gear and want to get going asap!

I'm pretty much all set, only issue i have is that i can't try the omer millenium fins on anywhere as only apnea in jersey stock them and i'm a bit confused about which pair of garas to buy as there are a few different types.

I also don't know whether to wear a 3 or 5mm sock with my fins - this effects the size too!

 

[thedodd]

I would get the thickness of booties that best fit your avg. water temp, i dont neccesarily wear my for comfort as much as to keep my feet from going numb! So if you can get the booties first then take them with you to try fins on that would be best. As for booties i have found no better pair than the riffe ones the rubber sole on the botttom is extremely thin and flexible and very durable, i hike in mine to my shore dive spots and walk on the street with them, still on the same pair from last season.

 

[PROWLER]

hi jules i just ordered a pair of cressi garas 3000 ld and a new mask after trawling through many sites compairing prices inc p+p, i ended up using divedirect, i gave them a ring and they seemed quite helpful, they may b some help ( my 2 cents )

 

[jules1972]

Thanks power, do you use 3 or 5 mm socks/boots?
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[scottwilson]

Jules go for 5mm socks mate

I used to have a pair of gara 3000's and they lasted 4 years of hard spearing and a fair amount of abuse now Ive got gara 3000 ld's which I bought from Anthony at venture sports ( scubadivingstore.co.uk) so Im expecting another 4 years at least

 

[tribs]

Hi Jules,

If you collect you can have my first set of fins, Tiguellio I think they are. Size 10-11. Free if you want to come and get them, slight corner damage but work fine.

Tribs near Exeter/Exmouth

 

[PROWLER]

hi jules i,v got size 10 feet so got size 44/45 garas , nice fit with 3mm socks hope that helps
prowler

 

[jules1972]

hey tribs thanks for the offer and would like to take you up on it if you're around next friday/saturday or following monday either on my way to or returning from south devon.
i'm probably heading to torquay first to see my bro then head over to whitsand bay sunday/monday for a bit of camping and to try out my commanche 90 i got from 03 in portland yesterday. (not sure how i'll get on with the 90 as i wanted a 75 - my first gun - but they'd sold out despite me telling him i was driving down from north devon to specifically buy it :rcard :head . couldn't wait any longer as i've been reading these forums trying to work out what i'm getting forever so took the plunge having found i could load the gun ok.)
alternatively my mrs works in exeter on wednesday and she could pick them up if you're in town that day?

 

[jules1972]

Just found a shop in brixham selling these anyone know if they're any good? They look pretty cheap! Tigullio Grinta or SEAC SUB XPro. i don't know how to put a tidy url link in without it coming out all lond winded but the shop's website is Scuba Diving Equipment Online - Blue Water Sports

http://www.bluewatersports.eu/long-fins--spearfishing--snorkelling-seac-sub-xpro-355-p.asp

http://www.bluewatersports.eu/power...io-grinta--spearfishing--freediving-685-p.asp