First monofin advice????

[Saren]

Aloha!

I'm trying to do research for my first monofin. I'm hoping, with the assistance of a fabric tail maker, this monofin will also be a part of my first tail.

Backstory: I love diving and am a certified diver. I also have very minor freedive training and have spent the past five weeks perfecting my dolphin kick with and without regular swimming fins.

I'm looking for a monofin that will:

Improve or aide in my dolphin kick form
be good for ocean swimming
is good for pool swimming
is worth the price


I've looked into the Finis Foil (I like the price), am interested in the Rapid or Wave, and am seriously contemplating the Mahina Merfin.

The Finis Foil was my first choice, but after the reviews on sizing I'm not so sure. While I've heard nothing but great things about the Rapid, Wave, and Mahina, the prices are kind of scary, but I'm willing to dish out the dough if I can get more info.

Thanks in advance for any and all information!

EDIT: I've just looked more into the Mahina merfin and noticed their bolded disclaimer about not using their monofins in closed mermaid tails. I've heard the Raven from Merbella has used mahina fins in her tails before, have other had experience using mahina monofins in tails? Good, bad, otherwise?

[Mermaid Jaffa]

I use my merfin in a semi closed tail. Haven't had any problems with it.

Also, I am selling my old merfin. If your feet size is 5-7, it will fit fine.

[Theobromine]

I'm also a certified diver and I started out with a Rapid for my first monofin. I used that for about two years before I ever got a tail (I've even used it while scuba diving, though I would not recommend this for most people. I'm a divemaster and I'm very experienced and confident and I still only used it on easy dives with little to no current in areas where I wasn't going to get stuck in a tight place. I did find the extra power and speed useful for moving around and looking after large groups of divers, though. Wayward noob divers who don't know how to listen for auditory signals and never look anywhere but straight ahead....) Anyhoo, I really love my Rapid and I still use it for practice/workouts when I don't have time or space to get into my full tail. For a beginner practice fin I think it's a really good choice, my only minor complaint is that the ankle straps can sometimes slip down so you have to be good about keeping them tightened. For that reason I also wouldn't choose to have one inside a tail where I couldn't reach the straps easily. Another issue was that eventually, after a couple years of use, the rubber ankle strap developed tiny stress cracks and eventually snapped. It was easy and fairly inexpensive to order a replacement, but still something to be aware of. I have not tried the Mahina or the Foil personally, but I do also have a pair of Zoomers that I believe are the same material and similar fit/footpocket construction to the Foil and they fit well and are comfortable. I prefer bigger fins with more power but if you're just looking for a small, comfortable, less expensive fin for beginner training then that might be the way for you to go. Only you can decide what you're really looking for :)

[Yulia]

I have a Mahina monofin in my closed tail too, it's from Tigg's Tails and it's their main monofin for their tails.

The disclaimer has been written for legal reasons only, most probably.

[MerEmma]

My MerFin is also for sale, because I outgrew it. :P

That said, I found it to be a really good first Monofin for me. The shape is nice and the rubber is flexible, still probably my favorite flow in the water. It looks very natural. The footpockets were not comfortable for me (I have wide feet and dumb toes) but overall I did love the fin. I wanted to use it in a tail but I outgrew it before I got a sewing machine with a zig-zag stitch.

What sort of ocean swimming do you intend to do? Riding out where it's calmer or on the beach? It depends a lot on the day obviously but I was out on what was a very calm day here yesterday (no monofin) and I was surprised how strong the current was. 1 foot waves but I was past them and still getting sucked around. Anyway, out further I'm sure would be fine and it's ALL about the conditions but I just started to realize yesterday how scary it would be to be in a tail since it can be so unpredictable.

Good luck! If you have any specific questions about the MerFin I might could help. I think it was a great starter fin. I'm hoping to buy a soft fiberglass fin now.

EDIT: If you wanna see it in the water alone, there's plenty of other videos on YouTube. Here's mine though, since I keep it unlisted: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeD-QT5pQzk

[Mermaid Lorelei]

I don't have any dive experience, but I have used both the Foil and the Rapid. I personally prefer the Foil monofin, for many reasons. First, footpockets instead of straps. As Theobromine mentioned, the straps on the Rapid have a tendency to slip/loosen while you're swimming and that can be both annoying and potentially hazardous in a tail. Also, the Foil is made of a softer rubber (closer to the Mahina) and I find it easier for turning, flipping, and overall practicing in. The Rapid is larger and stronger, however, so if you're looking for more umph you might prefer the larger blade.

[PearlieMae]

I killed two Rapids in three years, and that was just summer swimming in a lake. Broke them both right across the balls of my feet, and one, the rubber footpockets split along the instep.

They were great while they lasted, though.

[AquaStella]

I have used many a monofin available on the market. In fact, I would call myself more of a "monofin mermaid" rather than a "full tail mermaid"... probably just because I haven't fallen in love with a tail that I have tried yet. But that's another story. I am ALSO a Advanced Open Water Diver, Swim Instructor and Coach, and your all-around Watergirl.

While I definitely love my Merfin, and it continues to be my "go to" monofin, I do not think that it is all that great for perfecting a "legal" dolphin kick, say if you were training for a major swim event in the 100 Fly. The Merfins length is long and will slow down the timing of your full butterfly stroke. I would want something a bit "snappier" to build my dolphin kick. However, if you are working on mostly improving a clean kick while strengthening your core... the Merfin is your best bet of all those that you have named above. I have also worn my Merfin with spandex tails and enjoyed that for a leisurely swim.

As far as the Wave, Rapid... don't bother. I found them "awkward" on my feet. Both at keeping them on, as well as their "feel" in the water. I would NEVER use them in an ocean swim, because I frankly don't trust them to do their job consistently without falling off or breaking.

[Mermaid Jaffa]

I have the Foil too. I love it just as much as my merfin! Its great for practicing turns, flips, swimming etc. With it, I can do a short glide after moving, before I start floating up to the surface. With my merfin, its good, makes me go faster, but can't do gliding as straight away floating to the surface when I stop swimming. I can't do much tricks in it yet, as it is a much bigger fin, thought I have been practicing with it this winter, its still a fairly bulky fin.

The foot pockets are square and boxy. One has to wear thick neoprene socks or end up with blisters if using regular sports socks, like I did. I now wear 3mm diving socks and haven't had a problem with blisters or the rubber rubbing my feet raw when I swim too long in it.

[Mermaid Lorelei]

all that great for perfecting a "legal" dolphin dick
I'm sorry AquaStella, but this one made me laugh so hard!

[AquaStella]

I'm sorry AquaStella, but this one made me laugh so hard!

:jawdrop: Proofreading... dear me. It will come in handy. :lol:

[Saren]

Thank you all so much for your inputs and advice!!
I think I'll go with the Foil, mainly because price and I really want my dolphin kick to be on point, and then later on I'll buy a Merfin and then, more later on, have my fabric tail made. Again thanks for helping me out!!! In the long run the lot of you saved me a ton of money!

[Alinda the Reef Fish]

My first monofin was the FOIL, and I still have it. Its honestly probably my favorite.

Right now I have the FinFun Pro, I think. Its for the tail my Aunt just sewed me so I have to start learning what its like to swim in that one.

The foil is my favorite though, tricks are easier for me to do wearing it and its helped me get into the shape I need to be. Highly recommend this fin.

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