looking for softer bi fins than Cressi Gara 2000 HF

[karinchen1001]

Dear All,

I am currently looking for new and softer bi fins due to knee problems. I currently have the Cressi Gara 2000 HF, which I understood are the most stiff finns (is that correct?) When I started freediving they were recommended to me, and I am really really fast in going deep I have proper technique, but since some months I feel a pain during dynamic pool training (I have damaged knees due to an accident and now suffer heavy knee arthrosis). So I checked a bit the intranet and came across Speardiver C90 Carbon Freediving Fins
http://www.freedivestore.com/fins/42-speardiver-c90-carbon-freediving-fins.html

Can somebody advise me to buy those? Or would you recommend some other fins? I would like to use the for both pool, colder lakes and sea training (mediterranean sea). I do not think that I will go deeper than 50 m with them. I also have a Monofin, but for holidays it is easier to travel with bifins...

Best regards & thanks and have a lovely day

Karin

 

[Apneaddict]

If cressi footpockets fit your foot shape well and you know about the durability of their plastic blades, consider the Cressi Gara 3000 HF.

Soft carbons will likely be even easier of the knee, as the fin will rebound sharply and give you some added propulsion without having to "muscle" the plastic fin in both directions.

For travel, a cycling shoe hydrofoil-type monofin is pretty awesome. Both the Dol-Fin x-20 and Lunocet would fall into this category at present. Using the larger core muscles wouldn't stress the knees as much, depending on the stroke used.

Just the ankles can be used with the hydrofoils to produce thrust.

 

[karinchen1001]

Hi and thanks, wow, the Lunocet looks really cool did not know that something like this exists ... so i do not have to miss freediving when making the next MTB trip So next time I go for a MTB ride to a mountain lake, have a dive and make a downhill Can you compare the diving feeling with that of a normal monofin?

Okay, this means the Speardiver C90 Carbon Freediving Fins would a right choice if one decides to pay that much (they are pretty expensive here...)

The Cressi Gara fit me well but I am worried that the 3000 HF have the same stiffness like the 2000 HF. I read that the stiffness of the blade differs from the 2000 HF but is that so much difference, or is it the length of the blade that matters? There are also the 3000 LD. What do you think about those compared to the 3000 HF? Unfortunately here in Switzerland we do not have the possibility to test the fins ...

 

[Apneaddict]

Sorry... I meant 3000LD
LD stands for long distance.

They are quite soft.

 

[karinchen1001]

Ah, ok thanks

 

[FreeDivingJake]

Hi and thanks, wow, the Lunocet looks really cool did not know that something like this exists ... so i do not have to miss freediving when making the next MTB trip So next time I go for a MTB ride to a mountain lake, have a dive and make a downhill Can you compare the diving feeling with that of a normal monofin?

Okay, this means the Speardiver C90 Carbon Freediving Fins would a right choice if one decides to pay that much (they are pretty expensive here...)

The Cressi Gara fit me well but I am worried that the 3000 HF have the same stiffness like the 2000 HF. I read that the stiffness of the blade differs from the 2000 HF but is that so much difference, or is it the length of the blade that matters? There are also the 3000 LD. What do you think about those compared to the 3000 HF? Unfortunately here in Switzerland we do not have the possibility to test the fins ...

Karin,
From what I've seen, Speardiver C90's are really great fins.. I have never tried them so I can't say from experience. But, seeing all the review out there I haven't come across a negative one. Fins4u carbon blades are also something to consider, so I've heard, but I don't know how soft they are and have never tried them. I can say from experience that the Nautilus 100% carbons are nice and soft.

 

[cdavis]

Both the dolfin and the lunacet like a low amplitude steady kick, easy on the knees. The dolfin and, I think, the lunacet feel much less forceful than a normal mono, probably because the blade surface is so much smaller, less drag, less opposition to sudden movements, etc. Both fins get their efficiency from water flowing over the blade. I found the dolfin much more like bifins in maneuverability and general adaptability to different types of diving compared to a normal mono. I suspect the lunacet is not too different. The dolfin is Very tolerant of bad technique, very different from a normal mono. I don't know about the lunacet.

 

[Apneaddict]

Another very soft blade is the fiberglass leaderfins blades.

I have only seem them in "medium" stiffness, but even those are on the softer side, so I imagine the softs really are that!

If you get bifins, (especially when looking for a soft setup) the footpocket will contribute significantly to the overall stiffness of the total package.

Pathos footpockets are known for letting the blade flex without having the side ribs add too much stiffness / rigidity. They also make a "soft" Pathos footpocket that is even softer which is designed for softer blades.

Having said all that, while a soft blade and soft footpockets sounds really comfortable and easy on the knees... I don't think it'd be my first choice for -50m deep dives.

 

[MAKO Spearguns]

You might want to consider our soft fiberglass blades as well. Since we sell direct with no retail stores (i.e., middle man) we can offer very high quality gear at prices that are surprising.

We offer a quality pair of fiberglass fins for under $200.

http://www.makospearguns.com/product-p/mcffgf-blk.htm

 

[Apneaddict]

Also, fiberglass and carbon blades don't stiffen up like plastic ones do in the cold.

Might be relevant, since you mentioned cold lakes above.

My plastic Imersions go from soft (for me) in 24* water, to firm in 15* water, to stiff in 7* water to planks in 2* water.

 

[karinchen1001]

Hi and thanks to you all, that was very helpful, especially reminding me of the thermocline. Training the winter in the pool nearly let me forgot that.

 

[FreeDivingJake]

Hi and thanks to you all, that was very helpful, especially reminding me of the thermocline. Training the winter in the pool nearly let me forgot that.

Let us know what you end up going with.

 

[Apneaddict]

Hi and thanks to you all, that was very helpful, especially reminding me of the thermocline. Training the winter in the pool nearly let me forgot that.

Thermoclines are good. When you experience them, let it be positive reinforcement that you are getting deeper and that is is in fact your goal! They also help with bringing on the dive reflex.

Just keep telling yourself that they're good.

Take a negative experience and make it positive!

It's the freediving version of "turn that frown upside-down".

 

[kkdavids]

if you want a nice soft blade, the foot pocket selection is crucial, as if you get a stiff armed foot pocket then you end up adding stiffness to the fin.. Thats where the pathos soft pockets are good - soft pockets with soft blades