Fins

Hey everyone, so I've been thinking about trying to dive.  So far I've bought a mask (Cressi Matrix) and a snorkel (Tusa).  I've been going to the pool to get used to using the gear and practicing clearing my ears, clearing the mask, and grabbing quarters off the floor.  And of course I've been reading quite a bit.

Next I'm thinking that it might be a good idea to buy a pair of fins and trying to dive in a lake or some other relatively calm body of water where I don't need a wetsuit or where my current 3MM will be sufficient.  What should I be looking for in fins and where would be a good place to get out and do a couple of practice dives?  Any specific recommendations?

Any other helpful information you'd like to provide? Maybe some interesting links? Or things I should think about? How about techniques you may have picked up on to help you be able to hold your breath longer?

Angel, I'm in the same boat you are...I WAZ gonna try it this year but my bling bling budget did not allow me to  But I do have a mask and a snorkle and a 3 mil farmer john (for now at least).

I was thinking of taking a class with David Liard at Wallins Dive shop in San Carlos (behind REI).....let me know if you want to take the class, I'll do it with you.

I'm in the same boat as you guys....acquiring stuff slowly.  Last week my friend and I went to Anderson Dam in morgan hill and launched from the east side of the lake by the bridge.  After a couple quick cliff jumps we made a half assed attempt at freediving with no gear. I'm gonna take the gear I do have and give it another shot this weekend and possibly a couple afternoons next week. 

I think the 4/3 wetsuit I had on was makin me float too much (no weight), it was definitely doable in just a pair of boardshorts and a rashguard but I didn't have either with me.  I'd be down for a lake free diving mission.

Y'all should borrow some gear and try it out rather than buy it.  Some folks have a much harder time of it than others and you can't really know until you try.  Non-split scuba fins are adequate for starters.  I have enough gear to deck out one other guy between 140 and 180lbs if anyone wants to join in on a trip up the coast sometime.

Generally you can practice inside a protected cove, stillwater cove N is great for this, then go out a bit farther where there's abalone, uni and fish.

Hey PSpark,

Thanks for the advice.  I'd really be interested in a trip with someone more experienced.  I  just hesitate to ask because I wouldn't want to slow anyone down.

But since I'm a few pounds over the 180 mark I'd have to rent a wetsuit.

Things are a bit busyfor the next couple of weeks but let me know when you're headed up.

I guess I've squeezed into my old suit over 200lbs, but I had to suck it in pretty well.  Wetsuit rental is only about $15 if you have FJs, boots and gloves.

I generally fish until I get tired of fishing or it gets breezy, then dive until I get tired of diving, which is usually about an hour depending on the vis.  If it's crappy I just get my abs and don't get the gun out unless I find something in a hidey hole.  Spring is more when you might 'hold someone back' because diving is the only game in town then. 

I might be going this saturday, I have family visiting and they might have other plans.  I'll know tomorrow.

Hi Diver:

   
        I'll do a quick overview but, It's best to take a class.
        I'm usually a little Neg. Buoyant. My head is under water with only my Snorkel above the water.
  Make sure to adjust your gear in the water and flood you suit. A little Ti Chi is helpful to relax. Don't try to tread water! I try to take three breath before I dive. I bend at the waist and extend my legs straight upwards. Remember to clear on the way down and don't force it if you can't. If you are having a hard time getting down,  add  more weights to your belt. Try not to overload yourself gear that might get caught up in the Kelp. I have a 1 Gal.  Wht. Plastic Jug w/ a diver decal  that I use as a float and, a net bag to hold all of my extra stuff.
        Don't forget to take the mouthpiece out and , breath out of your mouth during a timeout. Dive with a Buddy. Stay close and take turns going down. The biggest killer is Shallow water Blackout. Don't talk and use hand signals. Go out when it's flat and good Vis. Stay away form the "Mike Nelson"  on the edge type.
        All advice should be taken with a grain of salt.
                                                                                            I was not here!
                                                                                            I did not post this!
                                                                                            Ernie                                                     
                                                                                                                     

http://scuba-doc.com/latenthypoxia.html
 

That advice is wierd, if you're negatively buoyant you have to swim to stay up, expending energy and preventing you from breathing up well.  Ideal buoyancy is when you 'stand' upright and the water-level averages even with your eyes while you breathe.  Your buoyancy decreases as you dive and will be negative around 10' down with that level of buoyancy.

Classes aim more for performance freediving, but you don't really need much skill or specialized equipment to get to 15-20', which is deep enough to guarantee you get abalone.  Since it isn't for everyone, I strongly recommend one 'try before they buy'.

I guess I'll be roofing my gear shed this weekend so I'm out.  I'll announce my next trip up and anyone who wants to give diving a shot can come along.

Hi Spark:

  Your right and I'm wrong. I said a little Neg. which is subject to everyones' own style of Diving. I would rather
go out, then talk about the Pros  and Cons.
                                                                                        Ernie

i highly reccomend the split fins. they aren't just better than regular fins they are a 1000 times better than regular fins. i use the bio-fins by apollo but now there are plenty of knock-off brand split-fins that work just as good for less money. don't scrimp on fins buy the best ones you can possibly afford. they are your engine and transmission in the ocean. you can pass them on to your grandchildren some day.  i taught my brother in-law to abdive in ft ross cove. it is thoroghly protected from the wind and swell like a kidde pool. he got 2 abs his first time in the water. i'd be glad to take you out and show you the ropes just call me 707-478-5436 or post.

i'd be glad to take you out and show you the ropes just call me 707-478-5436 or post.

Schweet! Thanks...I'll take you up on that soon.

A while back I got into scuba and picked up a pair of apollo's super cheap from a shop goin out of business. These gonna work for freediving?  The guy at the store hyped them as a great scuba fin....something about efficiency and burning less oxygen while on the tank.  Everything I've been reading says to get a full pocket long stiff fin....the apollo's don't seem to fit the bill but I'd rather not buy additional gear if these will work.  Opinions?

I Love the Biofins.  They are much faster and easier on your ankles than the old style flat fins.  I have also found that Doran Park, behind the breakwater, is a good area to practice in.  Not too much to look at underwater.  It's almost lake calm but since it's saltwater you can fine tune your weighting.  I usually head out there at the beginning of the season to practice putting on my gear, get my weighting correct (seems like it keeps taking more lead every year), and getting back into the yak.

That advice is weird, if you're negatively buoyant you have to swim to stay up, expending energy and preventing you from breathing up well.  Ideal buoyancy is when you 'stand' upright and the water-level averages even with your eyes while you breathe. 

I personally perfer to be negatively buoyant when I free dive..ocean, river, lake whatever. I guess it just a personal preference. Usually when I am ab diving I am moving regardless ,looking for ledges and shelfs etc. not floating on the surface. I have found that if I am neutrally buoyant and try making a a deep dive with a large breath I feel like a cork. Diving in 15 to 20 of water is one thing but for deeper dive more weight is a necessity. The quicker you get to the bottom the more time you have to look around and less energy you use getting there.For a newbie I would definitely recommend less weight maybe just a hair more than 3/4 of the estimated weight with adding a little by little when you feel comfortable.This way if for some reason you panic or get in trouble the first thing your going to do is surface. The whole thing about diving is feeling confortable so less weight or more weight just will depend on the person. Just my personal preference and 2 cents!

Hi Art:

      I use CostCo fins unless you can afford  high End!
                                                                     Ernie