Mono vs Bi fins

[3sportbob]

Is there a benefit to using the mono fin vs the bi fin?

What are some of the pros and cons to he mono fin?

How about the pros and cons to the bi fin as well?

I have never used a monofin so I don't know what it is like. I imagine it takes some getting used to. I'm sure I would feel a little claustrophobic at first if I couldn't move my feet freely(independantly).

Lets here from you all - what can you tell me about them?

Thanks,
Bob

 

[monkeyhatfork]

Mono-pro

1. looks cooler
2. feels cooler
3. more efficient
4. all world records with fins are done with mono
5. your disrtibuting workload over many muscles instead of just burning out your legs
6. monos are to-skateboarding,snowboarding,surfing as bi-fins are to-rollerblading, sking
7. did I mention they look way cooler
8. addicting

Mono-con

1. harder to travel with than bi-fins
2. harder to shoot film/video with
3. changes in direction/turns take more effort than bi-fins
4. getting in water through surf is a bigger pain in the ass than with bi-fins
5. good monos are very expensive

the reality is most people who love monos also use bi-fins it's a different tools for different jobs kind of thing but I heavily favor my mono's . If you have asperations of being a wold record holder the mono is far superior, but for most of us it is more of a personal preference thing, I'm an intermiadiate level diver so I know tons of people can out dive me with bi-fins so I think on a recreational level it comes down to what will help give you the most of your underwater fun and that can very greatly from person to person. I have never felt claustrophobic with monos but I always hear that concern from people who have not used them. Start doing dolphin kicks instead of sissor kicks on your bi-fins and if you start to like it try a mono

 

[3sportbob]

Mono-pro

1. looks cooler
2. feels cooler
3. more efficient
4. all world records with fins are done with mono
5. your disrtibuting workload over many muscles instead of just burning out your legs
6. monos are to-skateboarding,snowboarding,surfing as bi-fins are to-rollerblading, sking
7. did I mention they look way cooler
8. addicting

Mono-con

1. harder to travel with than bi-fins
2. harder to shoot film/video with
3. changes in direction/turns take more effort than bi-fins
4. getting in water through surf is a bigger pain in the ass than with bi-fins
5. good monos are very expensive

the reality is most people who love monos also use bi-fins it's a different tools for different jobs kind of thing but I heavily favor my mono's . If you have asperations of being a wold record holder the mono is far superior, but for most of us it is more of a personal preference thing, I'm an intermiadiate level diver so I know tons of people can out dive me with bi-fins so I think on a recreational level it comes down to what will help give you the most of your underwater fun and that can very greatly from person to person. I have never felt claustrophobic with monos but I always hear that concern from people who have not used them. Start doing dolphin kicks instead of sissor kicks on your bi-fins and if you start to like it try a mono

Ok I get the cooler thing (It definately looks cool)
I understand the different tool for the job thing
I would like to give it a try but can't seem to do the dolphin kick in my bi-fins (too long maybe)
Isn't the mono-fin much stiffer and shorter than the typical bi-fin?

I guess I could use my scuba fins to try the dolphin kick instead of my freediving fins. They are much shorter, stiffer and much heavier.

I'm trying to get enrolled in a performance freediving course (work schedule issues) so maybe they can give me some pointers when I get there.

 

[monkeyhatfork]

Do try and take the PFI course I took one in 2008 in Kona and it was a huge step forward. Dolphin kicks not a problem with bi-fins it might just take you some getting used to, but wont be as efficient as with mono. Many people who use mono do allot of traing with short swim fins. Look around on youtube thier are plenty of videos of technique stuff

 

[titan]

Tom sietas broke the wr of dyn with bi fins

I think monos for freediving have to be soft

but of course you can only do mon vs. bifins if we are talking about hte expensive bifins also

 

[cdavis]

Bifin dolphin works fine with longfins, my preferred stroke. However, developing an effective, efficient stroke is no small problem. It has taken me a couple of years. Work with it a litttle and it is much more efficient than a normal kick, especially with longfins.

Connor

 

[DerekB]

on the 7th of last month (FEB) my dive buddy and I took our newly purchased mono fins out to the wrecks. The st pedros deck lays close to 60' and the bottom around 86-90' depending on which side of the wreck.
We where using our bi-fins for most of the days diving. After a couple hours of diving with the bi-fins we decided to switch to the monofins. My buddy had his fin on first and spiraled down to the wreck, taking a course that looked similiar to a helicopter trying to land with no rudders. Once it was my turn to dive the first thing I noticed was its harder to orientate yourself vertical. I had to use the line as a guide a lot more.
With bi fins it takes me 12 kicks(6 hard, 6 soft) to get to 60'. With the monofin it only took me 4 1/2 kicks.
My buddy got tired of the monofin rather fast and opted for the bi fin as they are easier to freedive with. All you need is the leg movement.
I liked the power and wonderd if it would help my photography. So kept it on for a little bit. On the photograph dive I went to the bottom and layed down like I normaly would with bi-fins. I found it extremely difficult to get back to a semi vertical take off. On the way up I had a cramp in one of my arches, when I relized that I think I like the bi-fins much more for photography.