First Time!! - A Few Questions

[theMerFanc]

I FINALLY got to go out with my monofin for the first time. In case anyone remembers me, yes I got my fin in DECEMBER and every time I've tried to go to the pool they've been closed or some other freak thing stopped me from going. It really sucked and I gave up for a bit. But today I was finally able to go out and play and I have discovered a few things.

First and foremost, my fin strap is a tad too big. It is on the smallest setting and when I kick too hard or swim to long, the strap slips off the back of my foot. I am wearing swim socks and I tried doubling them up to make it thicker but it wasn't helping. I don't really want to wear water shoes. Any thoughts on how to fix this?

Another thing is how much it hurt my ankles. They were really sore and tender after only an hour of swimming. I am sure this is something that would just get easier over time and as I build the muscle up but I was wondering if anyone had any excersizes or anything I could do to strengthen them faster.

The last thing is that I live at 7000' above sea level and boy does that altitude make things difficult. My ears are super pressurized and I can't go under without plugging my nose or I get a really bad headache. I will be buying earplugs and a nose clip but I was wondering if anyone had any ideas or thoughts on swimming at high altitude.

Overall, I am really happy and excited! It's $8 a pop to get in which is harsh but I can get a 10 swim pass for $70 and a semester pass for $175. I plan to do the 10 day pass and see how quickly I use it then decide from there if I want the semester pass. Anywho, thanks in advance!

[seaair16]

What kind monofin do you have because I have the same problem with my monofin

[Merman Storm]

Fin strap: Maybe you could wrap the strap with cloth or something to make it thicker. Or if the fin has a closed end foot pocket, you could stuff something in there, at the toes, so as to push your foot back.

Ears: You need to learn how to equalize, like popping your ears when you go up or down in altitude. As you are starting at a high altitude, you will need to do it a bit more often as you swim downward. The nose clip will help with that. Swim ear plugs do not help equalization, they are designed to just keep the water out of the ear canal. They are in fact vented to allow for proper equalization. If they were sealed, you could damage your eardrum.

Soreness: One hour your first time? That's great! Anyone gets sore the first time they try a new physical activity, and it normally happens alot faster than one hour. Just keep swimming, it will get better. You will see improvements even on your second and third session.

[A_Koi_Mermaid]

With the rapid/wave strap slippage is common. If you search them up on Mernetwork you can find several mers (including myself) talking about suggestions to fix it. Are you using neoprene or Lycra socks cuz that could make a difference? Foot cramps are also common, just a warning. I didn't have ankle pain, just foot pain. I would look up ankle excersises, like the kind ladies use for high heels and try some of those. :P Good luck!

[theMerFanc]

I am using a Finis Rapid. I will take a look around for other ideas. My socks are lycra.

As for my ears, I am a Scuba diver and I was equalizing but it wasn't helping :/

[A_Koi_Mermaid]

Neoprene may be the way to go, Lycra may be too slippery for the straps to stay up. Some people try regular socks too but I found they were rubbing too much. My wave was too cramped for socks so I sorta got used to regularly adjusting my straps.

[theMerFanc]

After my seco d swim with my fin and a few attempts to fix the sizing issue, I have come to realize it is more about the strap slipping off my heels then it being too big. Every attempt to pad the strap forced my feet farther into the pockets and my toes out the open end :(. I think my only option left is to get scuba booties which makes me really unhappy because - as a a barefooter - the last place I want to be wearing shoes is In The pool...

i ended up getting silicone ear plugs and a nose clip and they worked great. Only real issue was at any depth more then about 5 feet, I could feel the pressure building really quickly. I couldn't make it to the bottom of the pool at 8 feet :/

i also have a reeeeeeally small lung capacity. I think this is incredibly odd considering I played tuba and sousaphone... But I'm thinking I just don't really know how to breath for this specific task or how to properly hold my breath. Anyone know any tutorials or have advice on lasting longer then 15 seconds underwater?

[Merman Storm]

Here is a site that gives methods for improving breath holding.

http://freedivingexplained.blogspot.com/2008/03/freediving-training-static-tables.html