help with monofin selection

[noctiluca]

hi all, this is my first post

i have $265 to spend a monofin and have been exploring the dizzying options without understanding the differences between fins well.

i have been casually freediving for many years using scuba fins, and have recently decided to start training and using freediving-specific gear to have better performance. i am and will always be a recreational diver, primarily on rocky and coral reefs up to 130ft, i am female, and have really strong legs (for a female) but my joints arent naturally very strong. i have been using biofins to play on for about 15 years, and just recently got cressi gara professionals and they seem to be the right level of stiffness for the transition to blade fins from biofins, theyre a bit tough and give me a workout but are overall comfortable. i would like the monofin to leave room for me to get a bit stronger, without any risk that it might be uncomfortable forever.

it seems like my options are leaderfins vs waterway, leaderfins has a lot of options in my price range but waterway seems to just be model 1 or 2 (no idea what the difference between them is!) any advice, guidance, comments, questions, etc. would be very much appreciated!

thank you!!

 

[REVAN]

$265 is a pretty specific figure. What is constraining that number?

 

[noctiluca]

it was a gift

 

[noctiluca]

I can't really afford to contribute much to that number, but if there's an extraordinary leap in quality at a not-too-distant number I'd consider it. Since I'm basically a beginner that seems like plenty!

 

[REVAN]

All my stuff costs a lot more than you are looking to spend. The Waterway Nemo is in your price range though. I've heard many people claim it is a good beginner monofin and good for recreational freediving, but I haven't used one myself. Hopefully, you'll get some feedback from others with more informed opinions.

 

[HLanger1955]

Well, besides price stiffness is a critical issue. Personally I prefer soft fins (both mono - MasMat - and bifins -C4 Falcon 25). I'm not so tall (175/65 kg) so I feel comfortable with a soft blade. Carbon fins are excellent as they have a good response and are light at the same time. Cost is a but higher :-(

 

[Andrew the fish]

I would second Waterway Nemo, I have one for last two or three years. Great fin and very reasonably priced. I bought stiffness #2 which I think is a bit too soft for me. I am 176cm 84kg male, my legs and core are about average strength. I am not a competitive freediver or finswimmer. I was using Nemo almost exclusively lately all around BC coast and in Thailand in 2011-12. I have nothing to compare it with since I never had any other monofin. And, by the way, I don't think there is any other monofin of same quality in same price range. Hope this helps

 

[cdavis]

PM Fondueset. He and his daughter have lots of experience with the nemo and many other monos.