Dolphinism..

I have done very long surface swims with wings nemo soft blade(3-4hours sraight surface swimming) no problem. big angle is not nessesary for an intro fin- what little angle the nemo has barely makes up for not having an open heel. But it works fine. I use a waterway glide most now but started out with a model 1. Keep in mind substantial records have been set with no angle monos. Of all the monos I have the nemo has the weakest performance, but it is very easy to use and very comfortable I still use it for surface swimming and sub-surfing. I use finis front snorkel, they work fine havn't used any other brands to compare it. Model 1 is a good intro choice as well and cheaper. Then later you will appreciate the jump to big angle and can pick up a 30 degree glide/tropol or whatever else might be around.

I have only used the standard frontmount in open water, not used it in any really rough conditions, havent swallowed any water with it. I,ve been using the freestyle version in the pool but don't think it would work as well in open water, if you end up gettiing a waterway fin you might want to order one of there snorkels with it they are a tube design so you could probable attach a splash gaurd off another snorkel if that is a concern of yours, you don't really wan't a longer snorkel-would creat a larger dead airspace. The key in keeping water out is in limiting the movement of your head, keeping all your movement to shoulders, back, legs. From what i have seen people that usually have problem with water in snorkel tends to be people who have too much arm movement in thier technique, tends to dip the head and the snorkel with it.

Any monofin swimming is good practice as long as you try to have strait legs.

What really helps in gaining flexibility is putting you hands on a float and do 10min swims like that and varying speeds. What also can do is monofin on you back wearing small fins, carrying a small weight in your overhead arms while you try to keep you knees strait and under water.
Don't forget to warmup gradually, and know that when you get tired the real technique training starts.
When showering stretch all the main muscles you want to become more flexible; to prevent shortening of the muscles.

When you're able you should try to have more than just 1 training, preferable 3 a week to gain flexibility, muscle and technique. 1 is just enough for some maintenance, 2 for a very gradual growth, 3 for a much more rewarding growth.

In regard to choosing your first fin, there are some treads to be found on that: http://forums.deeperblue.com/monofins/85237-purchasing-my-firs-monofins-new-post.html is a very recent one.

In regard to flooding snorkels, it's indeed mostly a matter of technique. What you can focus on is feel the surface on the back of your head. When you find it's too tiring you can simply put your hands on a float. Also a nice way to practice technique, float and no fins mono, than float and small bi-fins, maybe than float and monofin, you'll find the speed difference very addictive. The thing is with this exercise is that you'll need technique to even get forward doing the no fins mono swimming, hence you'll take that and transpose that on the fins and you'll notice a big gain!

There are many other ways and variations of training monofin technique, like Miko shows

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxtFBKPRIyE]YouTube - Training dolphin kicks with rubber fins and monofin[/ame]

Succes, enjoy the (fast) ride!

monkeyhatfork said:

. Then later you will appreciate the jump to big angle and can pick up a 30 degree glide/tropol or whatever else might be around.

Click to expand...

WW Glide with custom 30 degree angle is extremely good, but it's TOO good and easy for the first monofin

WW Nemo is a really strong monofin for outdoor use. Not good for a pool or competitions. I use it in openwater freedivings also because footpockets are comfortable in a long-lasting use (I normally use neoprene socks inside the footpockets because of cold waters).

Leaderfin Hyper is a good monofin for any use, but maybe not as good and strong as WW Glide. It's footpockets, especially the upper edge, need some sanding and streching before it feels good.

Better to learn monofin technique with a more basic monofin, or with Nemo (soft) or Leader Hyper. And after that buy a really good monofin with 20-30 degree angle, if needed.

Edit:
I noticed that you dimitris will take the Nemo. So these opinions are in line with it and hopefully helps others, too.
Rubber strereofins are good for technique training, finswimmers train with them, too, a lot. Also seen in the Mikko's training video above.

i have a leaderfin wings with closed foot pockets and medium stiffness.

i don't notice any ankle or feet cramps. but i did notice them when i had open heel monofins in the past.

maybe you can try to do ankle/foot flexes or stretches. i notice that if i don't stretch on land, sometimes my calf will hurt. usually it's when i'm more tired and my technique is a little off.

when i have a proper form i notice that my legs just follow through and transfer power, they don't really generate it and there is much less strain on my legs than if i bend my knees (which i tend to do when i'm tired.)

i don't use a kickboard so i can't comment on that.

but i do use a front mounted snorkel in the pool only.. i don't use it in the ocean.

like some other people have said, you get more water when your head dips a bit. when i'm streamlined, i make sure to tuck my head between my arms over my ears. that takes some getting used to, especially in the ocean.

i use the finis freestyle snorkel with the much sharper curve. i wouldn't use it in the ocean.

also, taking in a little more sodium (if your levels are a little low) or potassium and calcium supplements can help with cramping.

I stretch at least a half hour every day and I do allot of different pool excersises but ultimately you just need to spend a bunch of time using the fin, monofinning in and of itself will do some of the streching you need and the muscles that are cramping or fatiguing will strenthen as needed after regular use. Allot of beginner use thier legs to much and not enough core and that may account for some of your issues. after you use it a while allot of these problems should go away on there own.