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yes, that is true... thanks!
long fins
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yes, that is true... thanks!
SouthSideScubaSteve
Contributor
As fins go, what length is considered "long" ..i.e. targeted at freediving vs. SCUBA??
ScubaSarus
Guest
Well I know of 3 types of fins:
Bodyboarding that are short and easy to propel on the surface and used by the original navyseals and called Churchhills.
Scubafins mainly open heeled and stiffer than freediving fins to propel the gear one wears but now come in a variety that may overlap bodyboarding and freediving fins. So its a grey area as to what is considered long or short. My freind has some Cressi's that are longer and more flexible than my Mares Quattros and almost look like freediving fins but are open heeled; so they are almost like a hybrid type fin.
Then freediving fins that are full-foot, very long, and flexible in relation to Scuba fins as they don't have to propel a lot of heavy gear.
Bodyboarding that are short and easy to propel on the surface and used by the original navyseals and called Churchhills.
Scubafins mainly open heeled and stiffer than freediving fins to propel the gear one wears but now come in a variety that may overlap bodyboarding and freediving fins. So its a grey area as to what is considered long or short. My freind has some Cressi's that are longer and more flexible than my Mares Quattros and almost look like freediving fins but are open heeled; so they are almost like a hybrid type fin.
Then freediving fins that are full-foot, very long, and flexible in relation to Scuba fins as they don't have to propel a lot of heavy gear.
You could get something in between like the full foot Plana and Quattro models, longer than a Jet Fin or typical open scuba fin but shorter and more maneuverable than purpose made free diving fins. My last trip out a few weeks ago, I noticed that the two professional photographers that had been brought in for the event we attended both used free diving fins and dolphin type kicks.
He was fast and effortless in the water even with his large SLR rig.
N
He was fast and effortless in the water even with his large SLR rig.
N
ScubaSarus
Guest
Actually, I think it was the Aqualung Blades 2 that my buddy had or something very similar that was a highly rated longish scuba fin. I consider it long due to its paddle like appearance.
Scott L
Contributor
I originally acquired the Cressi 2000 back in 2001 when I got back into diving after a 10 year gap because my friends dived with them and I could not keep up otherwise. This was especially true when finning against current. I bought the Dive Rite fins a few weeks ago because I am taking a tec class soon and while testing them out last weekend same thing, I lost my friends 2 minutes into the dive which ticked me off. Was not a safety issue as we are all solo hunters. It was also the first day I have ever had leg cramps due to my excursion. I say, if you can stay trimmed and not beat up the reefs give them a try....
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I for one think the term flexible if confusing in this thread. I would consider both my earlier Rondine's and my current 2000's to be a stiffer fin than my Plana's, much stiffer than my worn out Volo's and loads stiffer than the found Twin Jets I soon sold for $90 on craigslist. The reason there is so much flex to the free dive fin is due in part to it's long length; if they were all the same length the free dive blades would be less flexible.
As it is, with the long length, standing in waist deep ocean, a swell can bend the free dive fin enough to touch your shin. Funny thing is the same thing can happen with the Twin Jets?!
As it is, with the long length, standing in waist deep ocean, a swell can bend the free dive fin enough to touch your shin. Funny thing is the same thing can happen with the Twin Jets?!
dumpsterDiver
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If you are reasonably athletic, freedive fins are much better for typical scuba diving. You will swim longer distances with less effort and lower air consumption than say a scuba pro jet fin. The rather big disadvantage of a long fin is that on a small crowded boat they get in the way and can be a real pain.
What I have recently done is chopped off 7-8 inches off the end of the long fins leaving me a powerful full-foot fin that is much easier to manage on the boat. They don't work as well underwater, but they are still better than any other scuba fin that I have tried.
The comemnt about the freedive fins not being able to take the strain of pushing a scuba diver is silly, however you can easily break long fins with a giant stride entry if you kick down with the rear or trailing fin. Entries should be made with a fall to the side, head first, back roll, or even with the feet together so the blade is bent upward on entry.
I dove for around 25 years with mostly XL scuba pro jet fins and thought they were the best (they are good fins), but one day while scuba diving with a smaller buddy who used freedive fins, we were cruising and hunting and he basically was wearing me out. We did like 10 minutes of a stready kick with no rest.
We had the same tanks on, but I am 60 lbs heavier and stronger and figured my added strength should allow me an advantage in moving all the heavy scuba gear. That was the day I finally realized that freedive fins do have an advantage if you are somewhat athletic.
My 10 yr old prefers long fins for scuba diving as well. He is only 70 lbs and has special soft fiberglass blades that are perfect for him. Check out video at 3:15 and 5:20 etc. showing him working the fins with no problem on a dive in 60 feet.
YouTube - 1 25 09
What I have recently done is chopped off 7-8 inches off the end of the long fins leaving me a powerful full-foot fin that is much easier to manage on the boat. They don't work as well underwater, but they are still better than any other scuba fin that I have tried.
The comemnt about the freedive fins not being able to take the strain of pushing a scuba diver is silly, however you can easily break long fins with a giant stride entry if you kick down with the rear or trailing fin. Entries should be made with a fall to the side, head first, back roll, or even with the feet together so the blade is bent upward on entry.
I dove for around 25 years with mostly XL scuba pro jet fins and thought they were the best (they are good fins), but one day while scuba diving with a smaller buddy who used freedive fins, we were cruising and hunting and he basically was wearing me out. We did like 10 minutes of a stready kick with no rest.
We had the same tanks on, but I am 60 lbs heavier and stronger and figured my added strength should allow me an advantage in moving all the heavy scuba gear. That was the day I finally realized that freedive fins do have an advantage if you are somewhat athletic.
My 10 yr old prefers long fins for scuba diving as well. He is only 70 lbs and has special soft fiberglass blades that are perfect for him. Check out video at 3:15 and 5:20 etc. showing him working the fins with no problem on a dive in 60 feet.
YouTube - 1 25 09
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