My strap fins that I wear booties with are a big problem for me. They are very stiff and hard for me to break the water with them. I am very buoyant and my fins rest on top of the water which I am sure adds to the problem. I have no problems at all with my softer foot fins but when I am in Bonaire, I need the booties on most shore snorkels. My foot is very narrow which also complicates fin styles. I am looking for a fin that makes your fin and foot feel more like one like the foot fins.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
I just read about Seagle Teleoz fins that look interesting. They velcrove around your foot and heel and are small and light weight. Has anyone heard of or have these? Thanks

Darlene,

For reference, what are you using for fins now?

Don't laugh. Name brands have never been my thing so I don't know for sure. I think they are Scuba Pro but I would have to look when I get home. I remember I had to try on everything they had before I found one narrow enough for my skinny feet.

Darlene, I am not laughing at you.

The concept of adjustable velcro foot pockets is not new. The models I have tried over the years were unimpressive.

Can discuss this on Sunday if you would like.

Don't limit yourself to "dive-shop" fins. I'm using short fins for snorkeling, that I bought in a Sports Authority, for about $50. They're really meant for swimmers doing laps/practice, etc, and were in the swimmer's goggle, bathing-cap aisle. They have an open back, with a cushy adjustable strap, that might accommodate booties (I don't know because I don't wear booties here). I bought these because it's not unusual for me to snorkel/swim for 2-3 hours at a time, and my regular, long dive fins made my ankles too sore.

Darlene,

Have you considered using ankle weights?? Fairly common among divers with 'lower body buoyancy'. Can you bring paper on the velcro fins Sunday?

(Message edited by glenr on July 23, 2004)

Darlene,

I used to use Scuba Pro split fins (not full-foot) to snorkel. They were stolen this past February in Bonaire along with my husbands. We went and bought Tusa split fins (also not full-foot) and I almost wanted to thank the thieves after that.

The Scuba Pro fins are very hard and inflexible. The new Tusa fins are wonderfully light feeling; and my foot slides into the pocket so easily compared to the way I used to have to cram my foot into the pocket of the Scuba Pro fins. I used to get foot cramps almost every time I snorkeled. With the new Tusa fins, I have not had a foot cramp since I got them.

I highly recommend them. We bought them at the dive shop at the Plaza.

Belinda

Darlene, I bought Apollo Bio Pro split fins a couple years ago, and LOVE them! They are light weight and flexible. They aren't full foot, and I wear booties with them so I'm not sure how they would feel without booties. I feel like I have nothing on my feet at all and I never get foot or leg cramps like I used to with my old fins!

Cynde .... do you take underwater pictures while wearing the split fins? I recently heard that split fins make it difficult to stay steadily in one place when trying to take photos underwater but otherwise are highly praised. I have no personal experience with them, and know Darlene greatly enjoys taking uw pictures, so thought it might be of interest to ask..

Denise

Thanks everyone! I will look into the fins mentioned and Glen, I will bring the info Sunday. I wear 8 lbs of weight on my waist so I prefer not to wear ankle weights to.

Denise and Darlene, yes, I do take pictures (just upgraded to digital) and find that sculling is much more easy with these fins. I have a LOT more control at staying in one place (unless there is a ripping current!!!) Darlene, good luck with the fin shopping!

Dan and I both have the Apollo bio-fins as well. We both do a lot of photography, and I never felt the fins had any negative effect on my ability to hold position (my own buoyancy skills, maybe, or current/surge, but not the fins!). I agree with Cynde that they feel like there's nothing there. We demo'd the bio fins along with Mares Quattro, which came out about the same time, and there was absolutely no comparison. I kept having to check to be sure I really had fins on when I was trying the bio-fins -- other than the fact that I absolutely jetted across the pool, I never would have known they were there!

Faith

Another split fin to look at is the Atomic Aquatics SplitFin. It is rated right next to the Apollo Bio Pro. Both of these fins are designed for diving. A very nice split fin for snorkeling is the Deep See Agua Glide. These are marketed by Aqua Lung under the Deep See brand. It is an open heel fin with a neoprene pad on the strap so that you can wear them without a boot. My wife (a snorkeler) uses them on Bonaire with a boot, and then I can fit into them without a boot. I do not like a full foot fin because of rubbing and blisters, but find this fin very comfortable since it has an adjustable heel strap. This fin sells in our dive shop for $49.00 Here are the links.
Aqua Glide fins: http://www.deepseeinc.com/products/aqua_glide.html
Atomic SplitFin: http://www.atomicaquatics.com/splitfin.html

Darlene, If you used ankle weights you would reduce your weight belt by the amount of lead you wear on your legs.

Glen, you can also read about these fins here:

http://www.zeagle.com/index.php?submenu=MaskSnorkelsFins&src=gendocs&link=Fins&PHPSESSID=5110e773ed12438364db452710f39682

Look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

To all, If you are interested here is a link to most a listing of most dive/snorkeling equipment companies: http://www.officialdivegearpage.com/

Darlene,

Ankle weights are a redistribution of your total weights, not an addition to them. They change your 'trim', i.e., keep your feet down. See you Sunday.

Faith, If you are still planning on going to the BBQ could you please bring your Apollo Bio Fins if it is not too much trouble. I would love to see them.

Cheryl and I have both Apollo Bio Fins and Tusa splits. I found the BioFins to be awkward for snorkeling because of their weight but the best dive fin I have used. The Tusa splits (which we bought first) perform better for snorkeling because they're lighter. We usually only snorkel on the last day of our trips so I generally just deal with it and use the BioFins. I can't see carrying two sets of fins. Way too dive geeky. :^)

Darlene, no problem! Fair warning, though -- mine are original-issue bio-fins, not the bio pros that are available now. I suspect they're pretty much the same, though.

When these came out, there was ONE dive shop in all of New England that was carrying Apollo, and they were long since sold out by the time we discovered that we wanted these. So when I was on a business trip to Scottsdale, AZ, I picked up a pair at Aqua Illusions in Phoenix. Had to buy a new suitcase to get them home, as they were bigger than the case I had down there. Two years later when I went back down to the same conference, I stopped by Aqua Illusions again, and the owner very clearly remembered the woman from the Boston area who had come to his shop looking for Apollo bio-fins. Guess they don't get many folks from Boston down there!

Faith

Darlene,
My wife and I have been using 'Force Fins' for over 13 years and love them. True they look funny but for comfort nothing I have ever tried comes close. I do a lot of video and they are great for holding in one spot or even backing up. Given the fact that all SCUBA fins are designed for use below the surface it is hard to give any recommendation for snorkeling but I find the FF to work rather well on the surface. They also make one that is adjustable to different foot sizes as these don't have a pocket per say. It's more of a top strap that leaves your toes free to wiggle making them less prone to cramping, and though you fell like you're not wearing fins when you have them on, they are very fact. You should check them out on the web, I imagine you can google it up at Force Fins.
P.S. They are also real nice when it comes time to pack.

Darlene, After talking with you and Tom yesterday, and talking to my wife last night. I agree with Gary, you might want to consider the Force Fins. I would suggest trying the Original Force Fin, they are not quite as stiff as the pro. Gary Boyle (sp?)of Undersea Divers in Beverly, MA sells them. His store is the closest to you I could find that carries these fins.

As I said yesterday, I have reservations about the Adjustable foot pocket models.

Another fin to consider is the U.S. Divers Hydrosplit Fins which you can purchase at Dick's Sporting Goods. It is similar in design to what you had in your hands yesterday, just a little smaller and I believe a little less stiff.

I hope that time allows you to try several pairs in a pool prior to October, buying only what feels the best on your skinny little feet. Remember, most of us are biased towards what is in our gear bag(s);-{)}

Gary, I like you have been using FF for a while, got my first pair in 1990 - still have it, a long with several other models.

Thanks everyone for all your input. Now at least I have a several types of fins that may work out for me. Now all I have to do is check out the dive stores and see how my skinny little feet fit in them.
Tom it was real nice talking with you at the BBQ and thanks for all the input. The veggies done on the grill were delicious! Faith, thanks for bringing your fins for me to check out! I will be sure to let everyone know what I end up with.

Tom,
I bought mine in 92 after my wife had hers for a year. I thought they were the silliest thing I'd ever seen and wouldn't be caught dead in them. But I realized at some point that she never had a problem keeping up with me (many of my buddies tell me I seem to be on some kind of mission at times) So seeing that they actually worked plus she said they were comfortable I decided to rent a pair. I was sold in the first 10 minutes of that dive and even though I've tried some of the new split fins I can't be swayed. As for Boyles shop, they do have them, I was there yesterday, but he doesn't rent them out, that's why I suggested the place in Londonderry,NH. I was hoping to try a pair of the long FF with the whiskers. By the way, had I known of the open invitation to the BBQ I would have gone there instead. I'm new to BT and we've booked our first trip to Bonaire for 9/11-18, can't wait!!!!

Darlene, The day was fun, the company was enjoyable and the food (all of it) mmmmmmm. Learned about grilling veggies from my sister-in-law pre Bobby Flay, now it is my favorite way to prepare most. Only down side of yesterday for me, was not being able to talk to everyone.

Hope to snorkel with you some in October.

Gary, Sorry you did not read Courneys original post. All Bonaire Talkers in the area are welcome. Another time, I hope.

As for the fins, if you are meaning the Excellerating model, It is one powerful fin. Mine have the Bat Wings on right now (was letting a friend try them). I actually prefer them without additions. KISS principle you know.

Our stories are similar, except my wife was the one laughing at me.

Hi again, After trying most of the above mentioned fins and a few others, I ended up with The Atomic Split Fins. The foot pocket is a little more narrow than the Apollos which works out well for my foot. I knew with in just a few kicks that they were the right ones for me! They are effortless. FYI....I wear low cut booties and the fins worked great. I tried a pair of high booties and they became harder for me as the fins began to float. I couldn't believe that just that little more neoprene had such an effect. So I will be sticking with the low booties.
Thanks for all your help!! Can't wait to try them in Bonaire in October!!!

I know I said that these were the fins for me and they were until Denise let me try her new Atomic Liquid Blues! Just in case anyone is considering buying these awesome fins, I found the difference is that they were a lot more flexible than the regular Atomics.I didn't think the ease of finning could be improved from the regular Atomics, but it was! I was very fortunate that Don at Atlantic Aqua Sports in Rye NH had no problem exchanging them for me!