Monofin for recreational swimming

[Brick2]

I'm looking into the possibility of using a monofin for recreational open water swimming. I have found that I have some arthritis in my shoulders, and am not sure what distances I will be able to swim when "recovered". But I'm told that there will be some distance limit above which I'll cause further irritation.

At present I'm swimming a short distance using arms, then switching over to just kicking, using training fins. In case I end up with a shortish (e.g. < 1km) "maximum distance", I'd be interested in using better/more suitable fins. I'm wondering if a monofin would be a good idea.

My purpose is recreational swimming, so "having fun" is important. For that, I need a fin (or fins) that are comfortable. I note that some fins have neoprene linings or neoprene socks can be used. Using bi-fins, including some longer rubber ones, I find it quite enjoyable to swim with a dolphin kick, on my front or side. Doesn't seem to work on my back. Hence my interest in a monofin.

Does anyone have any advice as to whether a monofin would be a good idea? And if so, what style/brand/etc. monofin would be appropriate.

I note that the sizes for monofins seem quite small. On one site, an XL is 8 1/2 (UK) to 9 1/2, while an XXL is size 10. These don't seem very large foot sizes. Do finswimmers typically use fins smaller than their real foot size. I have swum with ill-fitting fins, and it was extremely uncomfortable. I would not like to spend a lot of money on a monofin and then find that it was uncomfortable to use.

 

[whucash]

I think you should go for footpockets..Specialfins have got OMER footpockets..
Furthermore i think you should go for softer model and in this case, for recreational diving only you should pick cheaper model..
Maybe Doplhin? Or Waterway Nemo? Both with comfortable footpockets..

 

[Brick2]

The Waterway Nemo is a quite large looking fin, while the dolphin looks much smaller. What are the trade offs for larger fins versus smaller fins?

I'm a bit put off Specialfins, after reading this thread: http://forums.deeperblue.com/monofins/63673-problems-specialfins.html That was four years ago however.

 

[whucash]

The Waterway Nemo is a quite large looking fin, while the dolphin looks much smaller. What are the trade offs for larger fins versus smaller fins?

I'm a bit put off Specialfins, after reading this thread: http://forums.deeperblue.com/monofins/63673-problems-specialfins.html That was four years ago however.

I think they are the same..the sizes may be 1-2cm different but no more
As for the Specialfins..i didn't have any problems furthermore they helped me to choose the best one for me. And they are very reliable company! You can really trust them don't worry. My friend back in Poland broke his one and they changed it for free..They are really trustworthy.

 

[Jon]

Go with the NEMO in a soft or medium- probably a soft for long surface swims.

I've owned both, as well as some others, and if you're looking for something that will last more than a year the Waterway is the one to go with. The footpockets are fairly comfortable as well. Don't look for the same type of performance that you would find in a Hyperfin style of monofin, but do expect to have a lot of fun.

Specialfins started out strong, but in the end, the left me hanging with a broken monofin and no support.

Jon

 

[Fondueset]

Soft or medium Nemo. One of the best made and most comfortable fins on the market. Very durable. I've had two - both are on their third owners. If you get the nemo - contact PFI for help with sizing.

Second thought - it sounds like your emphasis is on surface swimming. In this case you may want to look at finswimming fins - which have the more basic footpocket and not much angle - but are cheaper. Again the Waterways are a good way to go. These are less comfortable - but there is an adjustment period with monofins. Questions are _ is this primarily a surface fin? How long do you plan to use it at a stretch?

Again - I would contact the folks at Performancefreediving - or leaderfins, or specialfins or www.finswimming.net. Finswimming is a different application than freediving.

Jon - I've got the monoflap. Hope to give it a run tonight.

 

[twentytwomonk]

Chris, you get all the cool toys. Let us know how the monoflap is!

I have Chris' old soft Watereways Nemo, and I'm still in the adjustment period, but it's serving me really well so far. Footpockets still cramp up my feet after about 45 minutes or so, but that's about all I usually do with it in the pool anyways.

 

[Fondueset]

I had that problem too - I had to work consciously on relaxing my feet - also try thinner socks - assuming you are using some. Glad it's working out otherwise.

No test dive today due to thunderstorms. Next week should be good though. Pools closed for another week and a half so it'll be open water.

 

[twentytwomonk]

I'm doing the same, and I find that it helps concentrating, if you will, on muscle relaxation while doing dynamics. Helps me to push my dives just that much longer. And I'm using a 3mm Cressi sock at the moment, but don't think I could go thinner. Got any ideas for a 2mm smoothskin sock?

 

[Fondueset]

I've got some 1.5 titanium socks I turn inside out. But mostly I use 3 or 5 mils.

 

[Jon]

I never had any cramping issues with my NEMO or my specialfins- even with a 5-6mm sock on. I have had cramping with openheel monofins. It was pretty bad with my SF Dolphin, and not so had with my Trition Hyperfin.

Jon

 

[twentytwomonk]

I get it in around the sides of my feet up in the front, around the balls. I don't know if it's from my feet with the socks being too wide, or possibly my feet slipping around due to the lining in the socks. i'd have to find another couple thin pairs of socks, and they're few and far between around here.

 

[Brick2]

The cramp issues seem worrying! I have worn fins that

If people are recommending bifins to me, I have both some short training fins, and some longer swimming fins. The latter are the rubber ones made in Greece, I can't remember the brand. They have "comfort issues", as the hole my toes poke out of (slightly) rubs on the outside of my toes. I've borrowed a round file this weekend, and will try opening out the holes a bit.

I'm not sure what sort of swimming I would be doing, but it wouldn't be too far from the surface, as I'd run out of air! I was hoping to get a finswimming snorkel, but also need to be able to see where I'm going, and that's not possible underwater in some places that I swim.

The monofin swimming I see on youtube looks like a lot of fun.

 

[Fondueset]

Its a blast - but it does take time for the feet to adjust. With my hyperfin I usually have fairly intense discomfort that builds up during the first half hour - than subsides and I can stay in for hours. It took probably 20 or 30 hours for my feet to adjust to my first monofin.

Since you are not a freediver you'll need to talk with finswimmers about fins. I found the nemo pretty difficult to swim with on the surface - but that was certainly largely due to my technique. In any case - surface swimming with a mono is a different focus than freediving.

 

[whucash]

Since you are not a freediver you'll need to talk with finswimmers about fins. I found the nemo pretty difficult to swim with on the surface - but that was certainly largely due to my technique. In any case - surface swimming with a mono is a different focus than freediving.

The same with Dolphin from Specialfins..its not good for finswimming. On surface its useless..