Newbie fins...again. Sorry

[water baby]

I know that there have been alot of fin questions asked by us newbies, and i do apologise for asking another, but i was having trouble finding the specific answers i was looking for by searching the forums. Specifically fin stiffness. My background is in scuba and i've been almost exclusively instructing for about 10 years and as i'm yet to find a student who could out swim me underwater (plus the idea is to move slowly) i've only needed the cheapest/comfortablest fins i could find. However, i don't think my awesome old mares planas are going to cut the mustard in free diving. Leaving the bottom in even just 30 metres feels like being stuck in mud.
I'm a reasonably big fella at 6'2"/95kg(210lb) although im in good shape. Not wanting to spend a fortune on my first fins i thought about some cressi-subs. Any ideas about which would do the trick stiffness wise-2000hf/3000/3000ld. I want to get into some recreational/competitive freediving and recreational spearfishing. Also, do i add a size for 3mm booties? (just moved to the cool water after 5 years in the tropics)

Thanks for any help you can give me-you guys inspire,
Simon

p.s i heard there was an 'ultimate fin thread' but couldn't find it. Any clues?

 

[cdavis]

Hi Water baby,

Provided they fit your foot, any of the Cressis should work fine. I used the 2000hfs(a stiff fin) for years and you are considerably bigger than me. Cressi's are probably your cheapest alternative, but something like waterways blades in sporasub pockets should be pretty close and are much better fins. The most important thing is how they fit you. Try'em before you buy'em.

There is a very long thread here posted by unirdna that is the best thing on fins available. Use the search function to find it. That will give you a better understanding especially of the better blades out there.

Can't help you on the booties issue, don't wear'em.

Connor

 

[Jon]

The ultimate fin thread.
http://forums.deeperblue.net/showthread.php?t=38963&highlight=fins

 

[water baby]

but something like waterways blades in sporasub pockets should be pretty close and are much better fins.

Thanks for the info Connor. Am I just being a dunce, but do most fin pockets fit most blades allowing you to really tailor your fins? :duh

And thanks for the link Jon, i must have been blind to miss it. its huge (and awesome)

Cheers,
simon

 

[immerlustig]

hi,

i agree, cressis are pretty fail safe. i'd generally recommed softer fins, though, mainly because technique development is far better. and if you get yourself an upgrade (fiberglas, carbon, mono) after a year or two they will serve you nicely as backup or snorkelling fins.

enjoy,

roland

 

[cdavis]

Interchange ability varies. Cressis are one piece only. Blades made by Waterways and Specialfins fit in Sporasub and Omer pockets. Some but not all other brands are interchangable. Somebody here will know for virtually combination.

Some cressi's are softer than others, that info is in several fin threads. Search for threads titled by fin name, like cressi 3000, etc.

 

[water baby]

Thanks so much guys,

This helps me so much and allows me to focus on what is going to work initially. DB (and the people who take the time to make it work) is just fantastic

 

[bolts]

Just getting in my 2 cents....

I got a pair of Sporasub/H. Dessault fins, and they're great for me (a newbie). Seem to get me going off the bottom pretty well. Plus, IIRC, the HD fins allow you to change the blade, allowing to you repair the fin or upgrade to a stiffer fin if you want to, while keeping the same footpocket. Mind you, it's a pain in the arse to do... :duh

I'm guessing since you're a scuba instructor, you might be able to handle a stiffer fin, but believe me, you don't want to go TOO stiff. I tried a friend's carbon C40s out after using my HD fins, and it was like I strapped a pair of planks to my feet.

Hope that helps!