First Fins for Bahama Liveaboard

[bvbellomo]

I am an inexperienced diver, just booked a live aboard in the Bahamas in October and was strongly recommended to buy my own gear. I never gave much thought to fins before, as I've never been given a choice of fins and always been able to swim fast enough without effort with any fins.

The trip is through a local dive store, which strongly recommends open heel fins. I don't know if that is based on this trip, other trips, or them trying to sell me something more expensive. Weight and space are at a premium on the boat and airplane.

I don't think this trip requires any fast swimming, I was specifically told it won't matter what shape I am in and dives are very easy. But being the new and inexperienced guy, I'd hate to be the straggler in the group, and worry about getting separated or lost and having to swim back.

I have very strong legs, routinely squat and deadlift 300+lbs, run 5-10 miles, and am a martial artist. I am tempted to get something large like jet fins, just to see how fast I can go, even if I don't use that speed on this trip - but need to balance that against lightweight and size.

 

[Mr. Sunday]

You might check out the Deep 6 Eddy fins. They are my go-to warm water travel fins. Light, short and stiff.

 

[outofofficebrb]

Open heel fins are great. You can use them with boots which are good for shore diving and avoid blisters and hot spots with closed heel, full foot fins. I use it in cold and warm water diving just fine.

If your legs are in good shape, you can try looking at a stiffer fin like the Jet Fins. They’re good for propulsion with little effort, but usually require stronger leg muscles if you will be doing a flutter kick, especially if for any period of time. They are excellent for frog kicks (not exactly the same as a breaststroke kick) later on if or when you decide to go that way. It helps me with air consumption and propels with little effort.

I would also look into Lycra socks to wear with those boots. I also suggest swapping out fin straps for spring straps.

 

[BoltSnap]

First, your dive center is giving you proper and good advice, you DO need proper fins for scuba diving. You should consult with your dive center on what brand/model/size fins you need to buy. Jet fins are usually too stiff for beginners and aren't meant for the typical flutter kick. I'd recommend getting a pair of fins that are meant for use with flutter kick.

I am curious on how you managed to swim when you took your scuba diving course before, didn't you use fins? I hope that you weren't thinking of going scuba diving with full scuba equipment without your fins thinking that your "strong" legs will be strong enough to do it without fins.

 

[Ana]

You have to figure out what YOU like.

I actually love full foot fins, seems to me they're more efficient, I love feeling the water around my toes.

As far as walking on booties for shore dives, I only dive off boats so it isn't a factor. For local diving I have superlong ones and shorter for travel .. enough to fit in luggage.

 

[Ana]

You should consult with your dive center on what brand/model/size fins you need to buy.

That would be the LAST thing I'd do... no store can know what is best for an individual. The only way I know how to figure what is best for me is to try different types and decide from there.
You can dive with a wood board taped to your feet if necessary but what is best for you, is what fits right and makes you comfortable.

 

[Landau]

Fro warm water I love the Scubapro GO - they are fairly inexpensive as well. I have a smaller faster kick from years of competitive swimming and their smaller blade suits me. What suits your kick style may be different than mine.

 

[bvbellomo]

First, your dive center is giving you proper and good advice, you DO need proper fins for scuba diving. You should consult with your dive center on what brand/model/size fins you need to buy. Jet fins are usually too stiff for beginners and aren't meant for the typical flutter kick. I'd recommend getting a pair of fins that are meant for use with flutter kick.

They are happy to sell fins, but probably only have 1 or 2 models at non-competitive prices. I gave them time talk about equipment and show me what they have. They talked a lot about buying a regulator from them, didn't show me anything else - I think they understand most people are better buying online. They are far away to drive and look at equipment, and most of their business is trips, classes and service - they don't have a large stock.

I'd rather buy something that encourages me to learn better techniques than something that lets me move quicker and more efficiently without that knowledge.

I am curious on how you managed to swim when you took your scuba diving course before, didn't you use fins? I hope that you weren't thinking of going scuba diving with full scuba equipment without your fins thinking that your "strong" legs will be strong enough to do it without fins.

I used fins both in the pool and open water. But I wasn't given a choice of fins, didn't pay much attention to them, and the pool, they don't really matter. When I did my open water, I made a comment about how amazingly fast I could swim, and the instructor laughed and said how much faster 'real' fins were.

 

[bvbellomo]

You have to figure out what YOU like.

I actually love full foot fins, seems to me they're more efficient, I love feeling the water around my toes.

As far as walking on booties for shore dives, I only dive off boats so it isn't a factor. For local diving I have superlong ones and shorter for travel .. enough to fit in luggage.

Difficult figuring out what I like when the only way to test something is buying it and going on a trip. Even splashing around the surface without scuba or swimming in a pool isn't a great test. And I might hate a pair of fins at first and come to love them as my technique gets better.

We are only diving off a boat. I've been to the Bahama's before, there is sand that is soft to walk on and reef that you don't want to damage - nothing you'd want boots to walk on top of even if we weren't diving off a boat. That's way I am taking their advice as it is generally good to own open heeled fins, not specifically for this trip.

 

[outofofficebrb]

You should go in store and put a few on and see what’s most comfortable for you. Different open heel fins and boot combinations fit very differently. Even just boots themselves.