This is my first post here, and I'm not quite sure whether this is the right place to ask... please forgive me if not. Anyway, I expect freedivers to have formidable experience of open-water monofin swimming, and would be greatful for any advice.
Background:
I'm a relatively experienced recreational open-water surface swimmer. Self-learned, but with the basics from military training. I usually swim distances of 2 to 5 km (~1 to 3 mi; 1 to 3 nm) in open sea using common stereofins, also in rough waters (that's more fun
Now I've decided that I want a monofin for improved efficiency and speed. I could find lots of info on monofin underwater swimming technique, but nothing on non-apnea *without* snorkel.
Questions
1. Monofin surface swimming technique, and breathing in particular? I can't figure out whether there is an efficient monfin surface-swimming breathing technique without a snorkel (and I hate snorkels <g>). If there isn't, I guess I can forget about monofins and mermaids, but if there is, please tell me.
2. Usability in rough waters? Ie, ability to control breathing to take a breath during a through of a wave, and submerge during a crest. A snorkel fails badly here, at least for me - I've never figured out how to use a snorkel properly anyway.
3. Any comment on how a monofin compares to stereo fins in efficiency and seaworthiness in what I do?
4. Cold water requires adjustable footboxes for thicker neoprene booties...But monofins require close fit, I've read, and none of the more serious monfins seem to come with open heels. Any way around, or do I need multiple fins with footboxes in different sizes, or what?
5. Usability with thick wet suit (like 6mm, and double that on torso)? Does a thick wet suit make proper monofin body technique too heavy? My winter wet suit makes arm strokes impractical - in winter I'll have to swim just using my legs - but how about dolphin kick with monofin?
6. Any suggestions on which monofin? I already figured out that soft stiffness is preferable for long-distances, but what else to consider? At least it has to be rugged enough to survive a rocky shoreline at surf.
Thanks for reading this far...
Background:
I'm a relatively experienced recreational open-water surface swimmer. Self-learned, but with the basics from military training. I usually swim distances of 2 to 5 km (~1 to 3 mi; 1 to 3 nm) in open sea using common stereofins, also in rough waters (that's more fun
Now I've decided that I want a monofin for improved efficiency and speed. I could find lots of info on monofin underwater swimming technique, but nothing on non-apnea *without* snorkel.
Questions
1. Monofin surface swimming technique, and breathing in particular? I can't figure out whether there is an efficient monfin surface-swimming breathing technique without a snorkel (and I hate snorkels <g>). If there isn't, I guess I can forget about monofins and mermaids, but if there is, please tell me.
2. Usability in rough waters? Ie, ability to control breathing to take a breath during a through of a wave, and submerge during a crest. A snorkel fails badly here, at least for me - I've never figured out how to use a snorkel properly anyway.
3. Any comment on how a monofin compares to stereo fins in efficiency and seaworthiness in what I do?
4. Cold water requires adjustable footboxes for thicker neoprene booties...But monofins require close fit, I've read, and none of the more serious monfins seem to come with open heels. Any way around, or do I need multiple fins with footboxes in different sizes, or what?
5. Usability with thick wet suit (like 6mm, and double that on torso)? Does a thick wet suit make proper monofin body technique too heavy? My winter wet suit makes arm strokes impractical - in winter I'll have to swim just using my legs - but how about dolphin kick with monofin?
6. Any suggestions on which monofin? I already figured out that soft stiffness is preferable for long-distances, but what else to consider? At least it has to be rugged enough to survive a rocky shoreline at surf.
Thanks for reading this far...