I'm getting tempted!

 OK, now that I'm within spittin distance of the ocean, I have some questions about dive gear. First and foremost, Fins = size 16-17 shoe, extra large ankles- What do I look at as far as brands and models. Second = I have a beard and the few times Iv'e had a mask on the seal was a problem.
  I think everything else will work it's self out, especially with this crew for help but those 2 things I need to address.
 Randall

You don't have to have a beard but you have to dive. Shave where the mask meets your face. I don't know about fins that big but you could probably kick pretty good with those feet. Call freediveshop in Sac and ask Vanessa about the fin issue.

Go to diveshops and try on a lot of masks until you find one that seals. Test for seal by inhaling through nose a little and exhale  through mouth. Do not put headstrap on. See if mask stays stuck to your face. Or shave that junk off and let your smile shine through. For fins, i reccomend split fins. I like the Apollo brand bio-fins. If you can't find your size, you might try fence boards and duct tape   

 Like I havn't heard all that before. HAha . The beard has been off my face for less then 30 days in 30 yrs. That might be a tough one. And if I shave I'd expose my Kirk Douglas chin. You guys would have to lock up the wifes and girlfriends. And if they ever saw might feet....
  Seriously, the beard is no big deal but the fins worry me. I'll check the resources, Thanks
 Randall

Every time a big savage beard is shaved an angel looses its wings....think before you lather. 

Vaseline around the top of the stache to help seal.



What kind of diving... Scuba or freedive? 

if you are not opposed to it, some silicon grease on the mustache helps. saw a lot of guys do this when i worked at the dive shop.

Free. I'm to simple minded to deal w/ all the suba gear. Always been real comfortable in the water and even had good breath when I smoked. Just quit the butts a few weeks ago. The Beards short know that I'm back in Real Estate and I noticed a few others that have them so I'll try the goop first.
 Randall

Very legitimate concerns. Don't think you will have any problems with the mask, just breathe in and make it a tight seal. The trick will be to hold that airtight seal and not breathe out through your nose. Freediving is meditating at it's finest, deep inhales and exhales! Gotta love it.

I've heard of guys with beards lathering on the vaseline to create a good seal, but watch out about getting the vaseline on the lense of hte mask.  You won't be able to get it off without a good rubbing from a dry towel.

With those feet, would you really need fins?    Contact some shops that sell freedive gear and ask them what the biggest size foot pockets they carry.  Or get open heel freedive fins and just wear neoprene socks. 

Hey try just trimmin the hair away from just under yer nose (worked for me ) cuz I aint shavin

Randall, I've had whiskers for about the same length of time.
Do the nose inhale test and find a good fitting mask.
Maybe trim the hairs closest to your nose, where the mask hits.
I usually wax down my mustache with chapstick now, I used to use vaseline.

I dunno about this, but my thinking is that masks have nose covers for scuba, so you don't inhale the ocean while breathing from the tank, and to allow you to equalize the pressure inside the mask compartment at depth. For free diving, I'd guess a good pair of goggles  would do just as well. They make some that are nearly mask size - but they seal around each eye without the nose thingie. I guess success would depend on just how high up your beard grows though.   

just talked to Vannessa and it looks like she has a couple pairs- piccasso & Riffe that might work IN STOCK. Thanks for the referral guys. Next time I head up to tahoe I'll stop by for a fitting. I'm getting jazzed!
 Randall