Fins?

Hey all, I need to get A new set of fins and im wondering what would be better. Short fins or long fins. I will probably be more into short dives as I am A newbie.

Hi Diver:

 I did Costco Cheepo untill my Kids were grown-up. I just picked up
my first set of "Black Team" Fins. I'm still getting over the Cost of
Gear!
                                                                 Sea-ya
                                                                 Ernie


Long Fins for Free Diving like "Black Team"
http://shop.bbprodive.com/product.sc?categoryId=10&productId=19

 Short and Fat lick "Rocket Fins" for Scuba.
http://shop.navyseals.com/aqualung-rocket-fin-202.html

 

I don't dive that often anymore, and my legs have never been that strong, long ago I switched to medium length fairly soft fins,  Right now I use Cressi "Frog" and find them a good compromise, they are easy to kick for long periods of time, but don't give the thrust of a longer stiffer fin. For me at least the old style short wide stiff fins are a leg killer.

 http://www.amazon.com/Cressi-Sub-Snorkeling-Black-Large-X-Large/dp/B001CJ5WIS/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1238001107&sr=1-5 

I used to use those frogs and they are good fins.  Tough as nails and great for someone getting started. 

Cressi Gara 2000 or 3000's they are fair priced. Good freedive fins. Actually I just double checked these are pretty pricy at $180.

Picasso America Stimulus Fin are $105 at the Freediveshop.com

Here's a pair of Cressi 2000 on ebay.
I got a pair on ebay a few years back for $60.

http://cgi.ebay.com/CRESSI-SUB-32-FREE-DIVING-FINS_W0QQitemZ300301342025QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item300301342025&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

I use the Gara 3000's now, but for a shorter fin the old rubber Jet Fins have a real nice kick.  There's something about rubber that has a real natural feel to it.  I didn't mean that as a lead in for a dirty joke.

My reflex graphite fins are so old, well they don't even make em' anymore. I recieved a brand new pair of subapro split fins. Tried them once and they felt like mush on the ends of my legs. Back to my old reflex fins. Real stiiff and long too. I got a good deal on scubapro split fins though.

Andy, I think you'll be more comfortable with something short like a Jet Fin/Rocket Fin as you get to know the water.  I've got an extra pair that I'll let you have when I see you at the Cove if you still need.  I do lots of shallow diving - 15' and less - and I love the short and fat rubber fins that allow more mobility in the low tide area and shallow dives.  Just learning to turn your body over and be comfortable with your face on the bottom and legs overhead is a big part of it.  I encourage you to get as much water time as you can before GSIII so you're ready for the potential big ab or fish encounter.   

You are right Eric. Those old style jet fins are the most resilient and  great fin for the price. I still have 2 pairs of those myself. I don't use them anymore. If anyone wants to use them PM me. Craig

Andy, I think you'll be more comfortable with something short like a Jet Fin/Rocket Fin as you get to know the water.  I've got an extra pair that I'll let you have when I see you at the Cove if you still need.  I do lots of shallow diving - 15' and less - and I love the short and fat rubber fins that allow more mobility in the low tide area and shallow dives.  Just learning to turn your body over and be comfortable with your face on the bottom and legs overhead is a big part of it.  I encourage you to get as much water time as you can before GSIII so you're ready for the potential big ab or fish encounter.   

I agree, especially as a newbie the shorter fins will be easier to work with. The price is right and those jet fins last FOREVER! I still have mine from about 30 years ago.
Don't balk on a good deal on longer fins. As you progress you may want to upgrade to the longer fins.

I have a pair of the cressi frogs for scuba and diving in the rocks.  Great fins, they have good trust and hold up well.

I got a pair of Omer long fins this last year.  It really helped me increase my depth.  I was doing 40 foot dives and gliding along the bottom easily with the long fins.

The longfins are hard around the rocks though.  They work better where you have a little kicking room.

Start with the shorter fins, and add another tool to the arsenal when your abilities increase.  Like they say, the right tool for the job.  I started with a pair of those old jet fins.  They actually worked great and are bullet proof.

Matt

i dive with apollo bio-fins. they are the bomb. imo split-fin design fins are a thousand times better than traditional fins. but they damn sure aint cheap.

snorkel my brains out on tropical vacations, scuba in Monterey Bay a few times so definitely a freakin newb.  Nathan has been wanting to get in the water, so just yesterday visited our local dive shop.

ended up picking up some booties for him and a pair of scubapro twin jet max split fins.

compared to my old cressi frogs, these things rock.  same speed if not faster, and way easier on the legs.  Again, total newb here.  I assume if you get good at it, there are better choices but from what I saw today, they look good.

I have had the Jets and tha apolo bio Pro and a bunch of other open heal fins they all work.  I got a pair of Picasso Black teams and they are by far the best fins I have ever owned.  They are so much better to dive in kelp with it makes me sick how many years I busted through kelp with the jets. full foot pockets have nothing to get stuck on the kelp, they are great.