Mono vs. Bi fins

[Mafnet]

What are the benefits, if any, of monofins over bifins. Do you use less energy? Or is it just a different swimming style?
and is there a more preferable brand than finis for free diving? I've always dove with my cressie 3000's so this monofin thing is new to me.

-thanks

 

[rslomkow]

Monfins are:

* faster & more efficient
* use a wider range of muscles
* better hydrodynamics because you have less turbulence
* can help relax diaphragm muscles.

World records are all being set with them (did I miss any fin based record in the last 2 years that is still being done with bi-fins?)

The disadvantages of them:

* poor maneuverability
* bulky to travel with
* difficult to stay still with (underwater photography comes to mind) unless you are on the bottom

Waterways is the brand that I own and that I know several other people use. Ordering them can be a bit of a pain.

 

[SanderP]

World records are all being set with them (did I miss any fin based record in the last 2 years that is still being done with bi-fins?)

I pretty sure Tom Sietas has done most of his DYN records with bi-fins (C4).

 

[Waterenthusiast]

We should consider the different disciplines if we are to compare Bi-fins and Monofins.
In constant weight i'm pretty sure no one will argue, that the monofin is far more efficient because of the greater accelerations it provides at the surface, when figthing positive buoyancy, and at the bottom, when figthing negative buoyancy.
In dynamic apnea the case is different, there are no buoyancy changes and therefore people tend to choose the monofin for its higher efficiency at greater speed, or stick with bifins mainly because it allows a relaxed swimmimg position with arms at the side when swimmimg quite slowly.

Christophe

 

[chrismar]

We should consider the different disciplines if we are to compare Bi-fins and Monofins.
In constant weight i'm pretty sure no one will argue, that the monofin is far more efficient because of the greater accelerations it provides at the surface, when figthing positive buoyancy, and at the bottom, when figthing negative buoyancy.
In dynamic apnea the case is different, there are no buoyancy changes and therefore people tend to choose the monofin for its higher efficiency at greater speed, or stick with bifins mainly because it allows a relaxed swimmimg position with arms at the side when swimmimg quite slowly.

Christophe

Even in dynamic apnea now bifins must be pretty much out of the question. Dave's 244m dynamic was in a monofin and took 4:02. Given the slower swim speed that's preferred with bifins, you'd be looking at the 4:30+ for a comparable swim.

Monofins do require a lot more technique work to swim well in than bifins though. Price, lack of manouverability, and the fact that they're so much more specialised (not many people use them for spearfishing, for instance) are some other key disadvantages.

 

[trux]

In dynamics, both Tom Sietas and Stephan Mifsud kept the top ranks with many records using bi-fins (world and national ones, sometimes the NR better than the WR), untill recently when Dave smashed them. I also heard Tom did in training 250m with bi-fins, but after seeing the video of Dave's WR, I tend to believe that the combination of the technique and the efficiency of the fin may be indeed better than at bi-fins that otherwise offer better possibility of really relaxed motion. Especially if he gets a wing monofin with a bigger angle that will allow him to keep a more hydrodynamic position during the still phase.

 

[monkeyhatfork]

I generally prefer the monofin for most diving, but always keep bi-fins for shooting video, shallow reefs, shore dives with heavy surf entry, also rotate them in and out of dynamic practice just because stiff bi-fins seem to build up leg strenth well, since your only using legs. The mono uses more core and is less demanding on the legs.

 

[Gwaihir]

Hm Im getting more and more into the whole monofin thing, Im really thinking about buying one,but one thing is holding me back,and that is the fact that I have no one to teach me how to use the thing,
Any thoughts on this ?

 

[Kars]

Start with working on technique and flexibility first using your normal bi-fins.

Buy a simple monofin, second hand will do! like a Waterway Model 2 Middle distance (medium softness). Don't buy a stiff model if you're starting and don't buy the big model, because you don't have the muscle power nor the coordination yet.
Use plastic or some thin toetips to prevent blisters and spreat and transfer the pressure more equally.
And be amazed by the speed as the tiles will schoot by in a blurr while swimming.

Some people lack the requierd back flexibility, they need to find out if they can work their way to it by carfully dayly warming up and stretching, or choose to remain happy with a good pair of bi fins Women in general are much more flexible in the hips, and allows them to have a nice stroke even after just a 100m swim with a monofin.

There are related threads on DB.

Have fun!

Love, courage and water,

Kars

 

[Bill]

I'm not about to advise World Champion divers but for the rest of us there are many, many reasons to use bi-fins. After watching one of the best divers in the world use a dolphin kick while wearing a pair of C4s on a 75 meter dive, i'd be very interested to see what could be done with a mixture of kicks. At least one world record holder is capable of 100 meters either way.

 

[efattah]

Personally I even spearfish with a mono.

In terms of records, once the 'kick and glide' was used with the next-generation monofins, bifins lost their advantage (if any) in dynamic.

In terms of depth, I think 100m would be very hard with bifins. Even Martin admits his 93m CW record with bifins was among the hardest dives he ever did.

 

[Nikkey]

Gwaihir- In Umberto Pelizzari's book "Manual of Freediving" there is a section with instructions and excersizes for getting used to using a mono fin. If you do not own or have any access to the book, pm me and I can scan a couple of pages for you and email them.

 

[Mafnet]

Gwaihir- In Umberto Pelizzari's book "Manual of Freediving" there is a section with instructions and excersizes for getting used to using a mono fin. If you do not own or have any access to the book, pm me and I can scan a couple of pages for you and email them.

Please do, if you eventually have a chance. my email is mafnet@aol.com
thanks

 

[monkeyhatfork]

Just get one and find a pool, it's not too complicated, your first session you will suck, a first session error I had was using more or less just my legs instead of the full body undulation, but over time you will naturally start to work out a good style just by observing what actions get you farther easier. For a good basic technic look up peter pedersons 200m dyn record on youtube, still one of the best dynamic videos I think.

 

[chrismar]

Just get one and find a pool, it's not too complicated, your first session you will suck, a first session error I had was using more or less just my legs instead of the full body undulation, but over time you will naturally start to work out a good style just by observing what actions get you farther easier. For a good basic technic look up peter pedersons 200m dyn record on youtube, still one of the best dynamic videos I think.

Also take a look at Dave's dives on youtube. The kick-kick-glide style strikes me as more efficient. Then again, that might just be because its the most common style at our club... At least partially Ant's fault

 

[Gwaihir]

Thanks for all the answers, I actually got that book, so

 

[perow1]

I think i t is a myth to say that bifins usa a more relaxed swimming style. For me it is hell trying to swim with bifins. Monofinswimming is (for me) the most natural movement under water. Even if i wear bifins i use the monokick and it will most definatly take me twice the distance that a bikick will and for one reason only. Im able to relax while doing the monokick.

 

[monkeyhatfork]

I agree Dave Mullins and others kick glide styles seem much more efficient but you need hyper/glide type monos to do them well, can be done to a degree with a classic mono but not to the same effect.

 

[Gail_Berke]

What are the benefits, if any, of monofins over bifins.

The benefit is that when you're into the groove of the stroke -- the undulation and kick followed by a glide -- for a moment, the ocean is your home. I don't have that feeling when I'm scissor kicking.