Fin Recommendations for a Newly Certified Open Water Diver with "Trim Issues"

[diver230]

Get a pair of Mares Avanti Quattro fins, arguably the best paddle fin made. They have been around for years with no gimmicks or gadgets, just a straight forward good fin. I have been diving mine up here at home and down south warm water diving for about 20 years.

https://www.mares.com/en_CA/avanti-quattro-18?color=5828

Bonaire - that complicates the boot question somewhat. Doing shore dives over hard, uneven rocky "beaches", hard or semi-hard soled boot are advised. 7:35 seconds in...


View attachment 890246

Is what I found a few years back and worked well for me.

I think the current version is:

Tusa 3mm HS Low Boots

Hello ocean lovers! Meet your new best friend for tropical adventures - the TUSA Hard Sole 3mm Slipper. Whether you're chasing waves or exploring underwater wonders, these stylish slippers are your...

www.scuba.com

Very helpful! I do like the looks of the Tusa boots.

I also purchased some cheap hiking poles I plan to use as an aid in preventing a fall getting from the shore to open water.

 

[34109411]

Very helpful! I do like the looks of the Tusa boots.

I also purchased some cheap hiking poles I plan to use as an aid in preventing a fall getting from the shore to open water.

or gear up close as possible of you entry point this is what i do cause of a bad back.

 

[BoltSnap]

I also purchased some cheap hiking poles I plan to use as an aid in preventing a fall getting from the shore to open water.

www.rei.com/product/202395/black-diamond-distance-carbon-z-poles-pair

 

[KenE]

The other suggestion I will make is to evaluate where your lead is located. I had a similar problem with heavy head and light feet. As it turns out, it was a large rear end with a lot of neoprene in that area. I moved some lead from the BC to a weight belt and specifically in the back and it resolved the problem. BC weight pouches are not necessarily located where you need the ballast to maintain good trim. I now have lead on tank band, BC pouches, and weight belt. It works for me.

I have the Mares Avanti Quatro fins as well and they are great fins, just don't pack well for travel. They flutter kick well, but frog kick is a bit lacking. The Go Sports do both well but with less propulsion. So, it is a preference kind of thing. I hope this helps, keep experimenting, and keep diving!

 

[Nemrod]

All you need are some water shoes. And Scubapro Go-Sport fins. Go-Sports are not negative. Neither are D6 Eddie Flippers. At most a 3mm booties. I have owned so many different types of fins since I began diving in 1966 that I could never make a list. Of them all, three rise above the rest, well, actually four:

Warmer water:
1. Scubapro Go-Sport Gorilla (best all around fin ever, does everything well and is also the most comfortable ever)
2. Scubapro Go-Sport (best all around fin ever until Scubapro made a Gorilla version)
3. D6 Eddie Flipper (if you are techie and frog kick mostly moves these up to 1)

Colder water:
4. Scubapro Jet Fin (the one, the only, the original, heavy weight champ and it is heavy and negative fin)

So if curious, what might the worst fin ever be, ha, ha, that is easy, original Aqua Lung Rocket Fin. It proably would make a great aircraft wheel chock but it is a singularly horrible scuba fin.

Oh, and welcome to scuba diving. May you find many adventures and blow lot's of bubbles.

 

[wizbangdoodle]

Lots of choices out there and many good suggestions from this group. You definitely need to get a low cut 3mm or less booty. Or go tropical fin if possible. Also ask yourself, what kind of leg structure/muscle do I have? I'm more of a power leg kind of guy, so I like to kick hard once for 2 or 3 of my wife's kicks. Maybe you have more of a marathon runners legs. Then, maybe you get something with more flex and less resistance. I also use a frog kick almost exclusively and find it is more efficient (for me). I also like my SP Seawing Nova's. I have excellent control with them and do not need to use arms/hands to control going sideways, upside down etc to peek under rocks and things. Good luck and I hope you get it sorted out.

 

[diver230]

I picked up a low 3 mm boot yesterday from Tusa. I found these boots to be very comfortable. I plan to try this to see how this impacts my next decision to purchase fins. I have appreciated all the excellent suggestions. Still a lot to learn.

TUSA | Boots | DB0204 (Dive Boot)

 

[BoltSnap]

These are the best for rocky beaches or climbing out of the water into boats:

Akona Fit Low Molded Sole Boot 3.5mm

Akona Fit Low Molded Sole Boot 3.5mm

www.divers-supply.com

Cressi Baleari Md PHS Boot 3mm

Cressi Baleari Md PHS Boot 3mm

www.divers-supply.com

I am referring to the type/shape of the boot with very thick soles. Other brands also have them.