Need Help with Finis competitor monofin

[Phillee]

Greetings all,
I am fairly new to finswimming and free driving. I have had no formal training but I am able to swim 2 lengths of an olympic swimming pool with one breath and I have dove down to about 85 feet in a fresh water hole in florida. If you saw me you wouldnt believe me that I was able to do that as I am a few pounds over weight but I draw quit a crowd at the local public pool once i do this. I now live in the middle of the mountains in central virginia now and am restricted to swimming in a olympic pool for now.
I have always had a problem with my fin hurtung my feet. I started out with a Finis Rapid which was fun the learn how to use but I split it in half after a few months as my legs started to strengthen. I then purchased a Finis Competitor mono fin with hard stiffness. I love the fin but it just kills me after about 15 min of use. My shoe size is 10.5 and i have the orange colored foot pockets. My feet slide right in and the heal straps are snug but they dont hurt but once I start swimming my feet are killing me across the with of the foot.
Is there anything that I can do to make the fin fit better or not hurt my feet so bad or am I SOL and going to have to purchase a new fin. This really isn't an option right now as I just dont have $500+ for a new fin right now. Please if any of you have any advise or idea's please let me know.

 

[laminar]

Hi Phillee,

Glad to hear that you're having fun with the monofin!

It is common to have foot pain in the monofin. I think there are two main reasons for it: 1) the footpocket doesn't fit properly and/or 2) Your technique or the fin's stiffness has you "kicking" too hard rather than undulating with your core muscles. If you have to bend your knees a lot to "push" the water with your monofin, you'll put a lot of stress on your feet as the fin loads up.

Stiff fins are usually for sprinting in finswimming races by skilled finswimmers where they go all out. Not much use for saving oxygen. You would probably find that you feet would hurt less and you could further with a medium stiffness monofin. A softer fin would flex with less "kick" and a nice gentler undulation.

No need to spend $500. Waterway make great regular finswimming fins for $150USD. For pure monofin blade quality I would go with Waterway, but Special Fins may have a more comfortable footpocket (I don't know, I'm still waiting for my Dolphin model to arrive in the mail!). It all depends on the shape of your foot.

If you want to train your undulation more, buy a pair of cheap rubber bifins, the kind used for swimming or for underwater hockey.

Hope that helps!

Pete
Vancouver, BC

 

[DeepThought]

Try wearing plastic bags over your feet (instead of socks), I heard it helps sometime as it reduces chafing.
Some foot stretches might help as well as I have been told recently.

 

[monofin_diva]

my other tip would be making sure your feet are crammed REALLY far into the pockets. i bought a finis fin too (the tempo i believe) and i cramp up sometimes.

cramming my foot ALL THE WAY into the pocket helps. if it feels tight or cramped when you first put it on, just take it off and cram them in again, the cramping WON'T get any better as you swim longer.

also, i agree with laminar.. the sprint fins really aren't meant for swimming long distances or long times in them.. they're just for sprinting.

i personally am in the market for two new fins.. one for sprinting and one for leisurely swimming. the finis is a good fin for getting your feet wet so to speak without spending a TON of cash. i have my eyes on a waterway fin too and they make killer masks/front mounted snorkels too.

i don't believe there is an all singing all dancing monofin, if you want to use it for sprinting, you need a sprint fin.. if you want it for more leisurely swimming then i'd suggest another for that purpose.. you can get a medium stiffness blade, but you'll be missing out on a little bit from both categories.

if $$$ is an object i'd get a medium stiffness. if you TRULY want to sprint AND truly want to swim leisurely, then i'd suggest getting two fins and waterways makes some nice fins from what i see, but i haven't gotten one yet, just their snorkels and masks.

the more flexible blade is better for longer swims..

hope this helps

 

[Asturven]

Monofin_Diva,

Did you try Leaderfins?

They have great monofins and just winning some medals in the recent European Championship in Monaco several days ago. The price is good and we are trying to sell more of them in USA rigth now.

If you want more information send me a PM I can help you.

Regards

Ivan

 

[monofin_diva]

sure.. i'd like more information. i'm one of those nuts that likes to compile all the information on ANYTHING i buy before i get it. i like the leaderfins stereo fins but i can't swim well in bi-fins. i like the leaderfins monos.

but the REAL question is..hehe how can i get the fin with that yin-yang symbol on it.. that's KILLER!!

(i'm such a girl but that fin is cute)

:girlie

 

[£íáµ]

but the REAL question is..hehe how can i get the fin with that yin-yang symbol on it.. that's KILLER!!

its very easy,
a.) leaderfins can print your own logo ... by ordering a fin/fins you can send them a JPG grafik file of your logo ( in high resolution ) i think it cost extra ... or already included if you order Mono with name and flag ...

b.) you can search for a company that makes prints on layers, stickers and so on ...

i ordered a new custom monofin from LF , with my own custom logo on it ... i cant wait anymore i want my mono now

 

[Asturven]

Monofin_Diva,

I already sent you a PM asking you some details to send you more specific info regarding the options that Leaderfin may have for you.

Cheers

Ivan

 

[monofin_diva]

hi ivan.. did you send the private message here? i just checked my mailbox and i don't have it.

now that i know i can have it custom printed with whatever i want.. hmm i'd want a mermaid on mine.. or perhaps a celtic knot.

let me know where you sent the email ivan so i can start saving my pennies for a new fin.

oh.. and adam.. i hope you get your fin soon. i know waiting can be so horrible when it's something you're very eager for.

 

[Asturven]

Monofin_Diva,

I sent the email to the address that you have here in the Forum as a default email contact. Remember that you can send messages but you are not allowed to see the personal address.

Ivan

 

[monofin_diva]

ohh...

let me go check that mail then.. i thought it was sent here.. i'll get back to you from that address