What monofin stiffness for freediving

[goochi]

I've read a couple of posts but nothing seems definite. I am ordering from Leaderfins a Freediving Wings Mono. I have a soft open heel mono at present, but I will using OMER footpockets on this new fin so I can wear for an extended time.

Is medium stiffness good with OMERs or is there to much resistance compared to soft, also do you improve power with medium?

Does anyone have a Leaderfin Freediving wings model, to give me their feedback? (I think monofin diva was ordering one with a logo from memory)

Cheers

Goochi

 

[JPPLAY]

It all depends on your technique and your fitness level.

 

[goochi]

fittness level is pretty good and my technique is sound, using a full body kick now rather than just legs. What do you suggest?

 

[JPPLAY]

Have you gotten rid of knee bend? When you say fitness level is pretty good what do you mean? Your technique is sound meaning you have tryed fin swimming or competitive swimming?

 

[fflupo]

to beginn with i would choose a soft stiffness,like this you can be more focused on your technic and beeing able to spent more time in da water and you will prob. burn less air

 

[goochi]

Hi guys

I swim 1km in the pool with the mono, before my feet absolutely kill. I have a break then do 20x25m underwater lengths, combing my O2 and CO2 tables, which are average (my max hold is 1:40s, pretty poor). It is winter at present so I am confined to the pool. When I say I am pretty fit I mean my fittness is fair (I swim 6-8km a week and cycle 200km).

My technique is developing with my soft fin, where I can"dolphin" my body thru the leg drive, but I am still progressing. I am concerned that by going to a slightly harder(medium) fin I may end up cramping my feet again (I need to be able to wear this fin for up to 5hours in summer long distance fin swimming).

By the same token, I want a new fin that I can "develop into" so will suit my technique as I get better and more powerful. So soft or medium, what do you think?

Appreciate your answers

Cheers

Gooch

 

[X-Fins]

Hi Goochi, let us know about your weigh and heigh, can help us. Medium stiffnes are the most common and offer good performance. You are not a newby. I use medium stiffness for long distance finswiming (Sport Monofin LeaderFins).

Best regards, Luis

 

[goochi]

I am 191cm and 87kg.

 

[X-Fins]

Hi Goochi, i believe soft will not enought as you are a trained person and 87 kg.

Hard will burn you fast, so medium stiffness will be the most equilibrated choice.

Best regards, Luis

 

[pelagicbeing]

I use a Leaderfins Carbon mono with wings, medium stiffness with Omer full foot pockets....i am 6'3 and weigh 15.5 stone...and i find medium is perfect, for relaxed lazy undulations / fast sprints...

My two tompot blenny's worth....

pelagicbeing

I must add that leaderfins customer service is second to none! and i shall be buying a second mono from them later in the year.

 

[goochi]

Thanks Luis and PB

Luis, I notice you stock leaderfins on your webpage. How do you personally rate this model? http://www.leaderfins.com/cgi-bin/form.cgi/63eng?id=199&tm=1155616386 In terms of footpocket comfort and power application.

PB I assume you have this model. http://www.leaderfins.com/cgi-bin/form.cgi/63eng?id=201&tm=1155813671 It's a beauty!! Do you find you can wear it for an extended period?

I can't agree with you enough about Leaderfins. Their service has been outstanding and cost wise they are very competitive and deliver a well made product.

Cheers

Gooch

 

[pelagicbeing]

PB I assume you have this model. http://www.leaderfins.com/cgi-bin/form.cgi/63eng?id=201&tm=1155813671 It's a beauty!! Do you find you can wear it for an extended period?

Thats the one!:inlove He even has a name...(sad i know) i have worn this for up to four hours non stop, with no problems what so ever...only reason it wasnt longer was i was getting cold.

It is super comfy, i wear it with 3mm or 5mm socks.

hope that helps.

pelagicbeing

 

[X-Fins]

Hi Goochi, sorry i never tryed this model.

I use to train with FLYER and Sport Model as Finswimmer mainly. In terms of confort must be better OMER footpockets in terms of efficiency open heel are the best.

For long distance i use the Sport Model. Hopefully i will be able to use Flyer next year for long distance.

Best regards, Luis

 

[ADR]

I would also add that it depends on the technique you apply to dynamics. My finswimming technique is pretty good (for a freediver!) and if I was doing a volume session and charging up and down the pool I would go for a medium stiffness fin but as soon as I go for a max dynamic (about 150m for me) I step down to a soft fin as the pace and therefore stiffness changes. So soft for me for dynamic (kick, kick glide approach) max attempts but medium when I'm acting more like a fin swimmer. Two of the 200m dynamic swims I've seen this year would also ratify this.

For constant weight, I use a medium stiffness, as more power is required to get off the surface and at the bottom when quite negative.

I hope that helps.....just a personal opinion of course!

regards

 

[goochi]

Thanks for reply guys,

I have decided to order a medium stiffness, freediving wings mono from Leaderfins, who once again have been awesome to deal with (especially considering I am on the other side of the world!).

Cheers Guys, enjoy the water!

Gooch

 

[goochi]

Just as a footnote to this thread. I recieved my Monofin a couple of weeks ago (in just over 2 weeks - Estonia to Australia, amazing!) and tried it out that day.
I use less kicks to the end of the pool with the medium stiffness and am also faster by 5 seconds. For recreational divers (wearing a monofin longer than 15mins) I would strongly recommend OMER footpockets - they're like comfy slippers. The medium stiffness is spot on, I am not 'spinning my wheels' when I am kicking, what I put in, I get out.

I hope this helps for any new freediver that is purchasing a mono, if you are firstly make sure you speak to Leaderfins, I can't rate them highly enough!

Cheers

Gooch