When you go snorkeling/freediving, do you prefer to use fins, or do you prefer to go without fins. I am a bit torn on this case. Without a doubt, I am faster with fins and I reach at least the same far as without fins. Still I often go without fins because I am consuming less fast the oxygen without which leads to longer times under the water. Also, I find fins a bit irritating when following the surface with the snorkel.
With fins vs without fins
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aquacat8
Contributor
Fins all the way… Maybe you should try some different fins
IncreaseMyT
Banned
Fins always. I got my fins set up to where I don't even feel them.
I do not know if it is a technique issue or something wrong with my fins, but I find them very annoying when swimming at the surface. I am not able to keep them under water. As soon as I begin to kick, the feet moves up to the surface. It means I am using more energy than if I swim without fins.
EDIT: I am having Cressi Rondinella fins
EDIT: I am having Cressi Rondinella fins
Last edited:
I think it may depend in large part on your snorkeling methods. If you are just floating around on the surface without traveling very far, there is no real point to having the fins. If, on the other hand, you want to cover some area, you very much want the fins. As for me, when I am snorkeling, I sometimes want to dive down to get a closer look at things, in which case the fins are a must.
Most of the time I am just resting at the surface to gather strength for a dive, but sometimes I try to cover distance too. When I try to cover a distance, I find these fins annoying because they end up splashing at the surface rather than staying under the water. Because of this a lot of energy is wasted.
Even without fins I get instantly down to 3-4m, with one single pull with the arms and not even one kick with the feet. I do not feel like I need fins for going temporary a bit down. The only time I find fins helping is for longer dives.
Maybe you would benefit from some "heavier" fins? I like fins even when I'm snorkeling along the surface. However, I don't like full foot fins at any time - I'm an open heel kind of guy. I think it's purely a matter of opinion and there is not a right or wrong answer.
JamesBon92007
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For "snorkeling", if you are just floating around on the surface, I suppose you wouldn't necessarily need fins. But for "freediving" I just can't imagine diving down to 30 feet or more without fins, at least not repeatedly. It seems like it would be a struggle. I have big, wide, flat feet but still wear fins. Someone suggested heavier fins--I wear my ScubaPro Jet Fins for everything and I never noticed them doing anything other than what I want them to do. Depending upon where you are snorkeling, sometimes it's nice to be able to get out of a potentially bad situation quickly (sudden waves and surge near rocks, etc) so fins could come in handy. The way I have always looked at it is that snorkeling equipment consists of: mask, snorkel, and fins.
I am easily getting down 30 feet without fins. With fins I am kicking down, so I am just using the legs. Without fins I am "swimming" down, thus using both arms and legs. It would be very hard work to just kick down without fins.
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