Fins

lizz · September 06, 2007, 11:44:20 CET

Hi I am writing here in this forum for the first time. My question is : what is the difference regarding advantages in having Soft blades fins or Hard blades fins. In my experience I have a pair of hard blades fins and after 3hrs/4hrs spearfishing I will be tired from the low part of my feet especially if I find the current against me.Any suggestion please?

Thanks
LIZZ

skip · September 07, 2007, 11:23:43 CET

This is one for Emic, SimonG or Robert as they are the best guys to answer your question. Hopefully they'll be able to reply shortly. www.apneamagazine.it is a good site for info.

Was just thinking that maybe, hard give you more propulsion but at the expense of more stress on your ankles etc or getting tired quickly, whereas soft, that flex more might give more comfort but less performance. Some fins tend to be hard with the last 20% being soft tips, or maybe thats the reason in apnea for the very very long fins. Soft fins, but more surface area to make up for the less efficient propulsion.

Skip

lizz · September 07, 2007, 11:26:49 CET

Quote from: skip on September 07, 2007, 11:23:43 CET
This is one for Emic, SimonG or Robert as they are the best guys do answer your question. Hopefully they'll be able to reply shortly. www.apneamagazine.it is a good site for info.

Skip

Thanks Skip for the site.

Lizz

Robert · September 07, 2007, 14:54:41 CET

IMHO there it is not a question of good or bad fin; it all depends a lot on the finning technique that you are using. If the fin is too hard for you, then you will find yourself 'pedalling' instead of finning - i.e. you will end up bending your knee too much in the forward phase in order to reduce the pressure on the fin (and on your muscle). In fact, you can very easily adopt a bad finning technique if you use blades that are too hard for you. I use blades that are sold as being soft (Beuchat Mundial Sport) but after about 4 hours I notice that I change my finning technique and start kicking with a smaller amplitude. Hard fins have better acceleration but I think that for spearfishing softer is better as you can fin easier closer to the bottom. Hard fins are good for going fast but in the case of spearfishing that is not your objective; you want to go slow and for a long stretch of time so softer would be better. However, it obviously also depends a lot on your strenght - if you overpower your fins (very unlikely with plastic longblades in my opinion as these are rather hard) then you should go for a harder option. The fact that the lower part of your legs feels tired may also be a result of the mere weight of the fins.

http://www.apneamagazine.com/articolo.php/363 - this article speaks about fins in general

Regards,

Robert

EmicMalta · September 11, 2007, 12:05:23 CET

As for the fins, I had used the esclapes soft for several years and didn't found any problem. Then I bought the Omer Ice and then one can saysomething. Before i use also go go spearfishing for land for also 10hrs in shallow waters and didn't feel so tired. But now with the new fins it's amazing. Totally difference. In fact Jean and me have been thinking to make some tests with another model of the Omer to have more idea. Yes the fins make their difference. As we talk last time lizz I am only 60Kg + 4kg of weight and use the soft. I think for you is better some harder ones. We use the fins to come up so better have good ones and can rellie on them.

I had problems with the Sporasub Pure Grafiber. it used to brake for 3 times and its really danger. Also the Omer Ice use to brake twice but their performance is much better. As for the current I don't like to swim a lot but on Saturday I use to go fishing with Jean and each time I use to wait for him, but think it's also fining technique

lizz · September 11, 2007, 12:24:01 CET

First of all thanks to Robert and Edward for your reply

. But I want to ask Edward "does body weight do effect the choice between hard or soft fins since you're in the water?" my weight is 84kg and as I said to you last time I always used the hard fins.Do you think a good idea that I must have different fins to use them on various conditions? or is better to have one type ?

Regards
Michael

EmicMalta · September 11, 2007, 12:41:32 CET

it's better have one pair. And saying for you lizz I think you be about 90Kg with the weight belt. So there for sure it will make the difference. For the type of fishing you do LIZZ i think that is better to be more soft but on the other hand you have to to consider your wait. Try to have some tries with other fins maybe if you come with us you just try ours. We will try to make a dive all together on October so you're invited too..

kempy · September 12, 2007, 14:41:23 CET

after a great deal of thinking i have decided its time to buy a harpoon. So i need some advive i dont want any thing professional just some thing basic to see if i enjoy the sport or not. Any suggestions?

EmicMalta · September 20, 2007, 10:48:03 CET

As for the a speargun, It doesn't matter the one you choose, the important think is that it is trouble free. I had use a sporasub instant 90, with lots of defects, but i was really comfortable with it. A 90 is really a good gun for the Maltese waters also if your a beginner, the only thing is to practice a lot, have good setup and long shoot.
Now adays there is the 85 beuchat carbom elite which I also suggest. Infact I think that its the best gun for winter season