Spearfishing wetsuits?

[Colby193]

Hello all!

So I got my gear at Christmas and since May, I've been going in the sea and practicing a bit. I've been doing a bit of snorkeling, scouting for fish, and practicing in general. Managed to dive down 5m without fins. I haven't gone further yet just for safety. I also quit smoking because I can't imagine that helps holding your breath. rofl

I did come across a few problems with some of my gear. I found that my feet float with the Mares Fluida fins but when I go in without them I can swim fine. Anyway, with the fins I end up slapping the top of the water and get stuck. I tried a cycling motion but that was no use. I also read that hard fins are for stronger swimmers or athletes. So I bought the Cressi Reaction Pros which are very comfy and seem to be much better quality. Hopefully my feet don't float. Any idea why they end up floating?

Anyway the main question I'm here to ask is:

Cressi Tracina vs Cressi Tecnica?

I'm looking to upgrade to a proper camo suit and these are similar priced. So I don't know which one is better. I know that one has chest high pants and the other has long johns. The Tecnica also has elbow pads but I'm not overly fussed about that.

Anyway, which one would better? Any experience with the two types of bottoms?
Cressi Tecnica Suit 5mm Wetsuit -
Cressi Tracina 5mm spearfishing Wetsuit -


At the moment I have:
Cressi Castoro Diving wetsuit 5mm
Mares Trilastic Gloves and hood
Cressi 1mm socks (to fit fins)
Beuchat X Contact 2 Mask
Cressi Corsica Snorkel
Cressi Elastic Weight belt (3x2kg + 4x1kg)
Cressi Apache speargun 75cm
Cressi Reaction Pro fins
Beuchat double skin float
Apnea sub knife
Beuchat fish keeper

Thank you for your time and for reading,

Colby193

 

[irishlostboy]

Not directly answering your actual main question, but I find if my feet are too "floaty" (usually when i am tired) when i am on the surface and want to cover some ground, I roll onto my side and fin SEALS style. This makes good long fin strokes quick and powerful without churning up water. Search Navy SEALS fin swim technique on youtube. you might get some help out of that.

 

[Colby193]

Haha I actually did that today but my new fins are okay at the moment, thanks!

 

[Gronchula]

I swim on my side axis when I am tired as well. Though I find the floaty feet sensation and lack of power is just a lack of technique and endurance training. If I don't dive for more than a week or two, I succumb to that effect.

 

[Scoobaru]

If your feet are floating and you cannot fin with them below the surface the best solution I can think of is to use small ankle weights. These shouldn't be too heavy just heavy enough to allow your feet to sink below the surface a little bit. It will also help with weight distribution when you are waiting on the bottom.

 

[Mr. X]

First, congratulations on giving up smoking:king. I heard just this weekend that an old school pal, who became a smoker while in the army, died 2 years ago from cancer (as did both his father and mother when he was still at school ).

Re. hi-waisted spearo pants v. long johns. I use the former but will probably try the latter next time around. My thinking on this is that:
1. You core/trunk should be the warmest part of you, not your crotch (not good for comfort or fertility either). Having the most neoprene over your torso makes sense to me.
2. Long-john pants provide decent coverage if kayaking while keeping your arms free to paddle (you'd need to stow your jacket & put it on once ready to dive - which could be challenging though ).

On the other hand, you might get too hot and/or the seal of open-cell jacket against your torso will be compromised.

Yes floaty legs is common, I've got used to it (& my wetsuit has probably lost some loft/buoyancy too) but ankle weights would likely help; the hassle v. benefit ratio hasn't made it worthwhile for me so far though.

 

[spudguncat]

I slip these under my wesuit against the side of my shins, distributes the weight nicely

 

[MAKO Spearguns]

MAKO Lower Leg Weights

 

[spudguncat]

Mine were considerably chaper than those! :b

 

[e.m.p!]

Long johns vs chest high: I have both - long johns when kayaking to the spot but any other time chest high (actually waist high)… not having to jump out of the water for a wee is priceless.

 

[Mr. X]

The price looks quite reasonable though, might save some folk time. Got to admire the simplicity of spudguncat's solution though.