Has anyone tried the "so Dive" Monofin?

[AuberyMirkwood]

I have always used Finis but for my new tail I was shopping around and found this. I can't seem to find reviews on it though. http://www.scubastore.com/scuba-diving/so-dive-hydra-aqua-blue/31961/p

[Mermaid Fenicia]

Here is my review on the Triton ;) http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?4806-Sweammer-Monofins-%28review%29

[Morticia Mermaid]

I got the hydra, and I LOVE it. So much propulsion and no ridges to deal with. My new tail I'm working on has it. Going to be getting pictures and video at a swim meet the 29th

[Mermaid Catkid]

Yay! I was wondering about this one because I will get it soon. Good to hear that it has good propulsion. That's the top thing I look for in a monofin.

[Nicky-Katz]

Yay! I was wondering about this one because I will get it soon. Good to hear that it has good propulsion. That's the top thing I look for in a monofin.

I've got a Hydra. And love it!
But I suppose I'm going to demolish it soon, as I'm viewing it as a disposable. My fist fin and I wasn't sure if I liked mermaiding at all.

[MerAnthony]

Is this type of monofin bigger an better than a rapid?

[Mermaid Jaffa]

I was going to get the Hydra, but they wanted to charge me A$60 in postage! Bit too expensive!

Is it bigger than the Wave?

[OrcaMatt]

So Dive. Much fluidity.

[Mermaid Fenicia]

The 'Hydra' is about the same size as the 'Rapid' as the 'Triton' is about the same size as the 'Wave' ;) just take a look at my pics in my review ;) http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?4806-Sweammer-Monofins-%28review%29

[AuberyMirkwood]

Thank you so much!!!

[Mermaid Sirena]

I actually just ordered the Hydra myself and am looking forward to it being apart of Sinthetic Siren's first tail.

[Mermaid Kate Silverfin]

I have a Hydra, and it is super comfortable and has lots of propulsion. I really love it, it is so much better than my previous monofin (a fin fun pro). Only slight downside with it is that your feet are further apart than in the finis fins, which takes some getting used to. It will add a decent about to the size of the bottom of your tail. It also puts a lot more strain on the back of your knees I find. I'm planning to make a swim video of the fin, but I have to wait for it to warm up a bit first! Feel free to ask me questions! :)

[Mermaid Jessica Pearl]

The hydra is bigger than the wave but I found that my wave gave more propulsion. The hydra does have a more floppy natural feel to it though.

[Mermaid Melanie]

I use a hydra also in my fabric tail and I have also used it for open ocean swimming and yeah it is quite flexible but it's a lovely fin and super comfy x


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[Mermaid Jaffa]

Does not having the monofin ridges like on the Wave, make any difference in swimming, speed and propulsion?

[Mermaid Wesley]

The ridges are stiffness but the hydra is a different material so idk if it matters


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[Mermaid Melanie]

heres a video of one of my students in the hydra with and without a tail on



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkwkRggAfT8&feature=gp-n-y

[Mermaid Jessica Pearl]

Lovely to see and example of the hydra in a tail. Just beautiful!

[Mermaid Jaffa]

She is so graceful too! My fave part is when she did a bubble and swam through it.

So much envy right now... I just came back from my swim and I'm still boinging right back to the surface and finning the air!!

[Mermaid Melanie]

If you find your popping back up to the surface try and remember to loosen up any tension in your neck - If you put your face in the water and just float and then make a conscious effort to release the tension you will be able to sink more easily :) tried and tested method from Scuba Nicks - the floppy teddy bear game lol it really works so well though !

[Nicky-Katz]

I've noticed a common problem among the most merfolk: they don't put enough tension on the knees while swimming, thus looking awkward. Putting more tension on the whole body allows achieving a more fluent and flowing fish-like movement.

[-Annwyn-]

If only we could be double jointed at the knees. ^___^

In reality, that would be rather odd though!

[Nicky-Katz]

If only we could be double jointed at the knees. ^___^

In reality, that would be rather odd though!

Yeah... but... there are some swimmers, who do look like they do not have any joints in their bodies :D

Like here:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3SyK_mElIY

These guys are awesome!

[Mermaid Romy]

Has anyone cut into the So Dive fins before? Like I know people cut into the Finis monofins, but do they cut well so they can be shaped a bit?

[Nicky-Katz]

Has anyone cut into the So Dive fins before? Like I know people cut into the Finis monofins, but do they cut well so they can be shaped a bit?

The blade does not have any ridges, so I assume it can be easily cut. I suppose it would be even easier as cutting a Finis' one.
I have damaged the edges of my fin due to heavy use in a pool with anti-slip surfaces, so I might give it a new shape when it's damaged enough :D

[Mermaid Melanie]

You can cut the Hydra fins pretty easily - i know of a tail maker that uses the hydra fin cut in their tails and it seems to be fine.

[Aziara]

Yeah... but... there are some swimmers, who do look like they do not have any joints in their bodies :D

Like here:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3SyK_mElIY

These guys are awesome!
Amazing! It looks to me like their knees barely bend at all, and the most motion is through the belly and hips. I'll have to try keeping my knees mostly straight and see what happens.

[Nicky-Katz]

Amazing! It looks to me like their knees barely bend at all, and the most motion is through the belly and hips. I'll have to try keeping my knees mostly straight and see what happens.

Yesss! That's how it's done!
And I was wondering why my boyfriend aka my swimming trainer did not like any of the mermaid videos I've watched :P Now I know why.

I hope you don't mind: try to put tension on your whole body. As much tension as you can (don't forget to stretch before!!! Or you'll get a cramp!). Then swim moving only your feet. Then, with same tension, swim some rounds as you'll normally do. Then: combine the two. It's tricky, but it looks good and gives a lot of speed with very little body movement. It saves oxygen thus allowing staying underwater for longer periods of time.

[Mermaid Jaffa]

Putting tension on your knees, do you mean to use the knees for propulsion?

I have been watching this and some of the H2o and Mako island swimming scenes. They don't use their feet or ankles, and according to Mermaid Nicole, if you use your knees you can hurt your back. You have to start the motion from your hips and the rest of your body will follow the motion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOpWs2qcGJw

[Morticia Mermaid]

Speaking if the so dive brand, does anyone have a used hydra they are selling? Need a spare for my fabric tails since I'll be using mine in my silicone tail

Sent by star fish

[Nicky-Katz]

ireneho (http://mernetwork.com/index/member.php?3271-ireneho), I suppose you've got it wrong. The series mermaids also bend their knees too much :D It is your hips you use for propulsion. The movement follows: you press down your shoulders following by chest, your back. Your hips are raised and then you press them down following the wave while keeping as much tension on your knees (read: keep your legs as straight as possible!!) your hips are followed by your ankles and fin which creates propulsion. Knees bend only through water pressure on them. It's harder to explain in words then showing live.

You'd also have to consider that what I am talking about is finswimming used by apnea divers and professional finswimmers who rarely wear tails. I myself also aim for a perfect fish-movement and just want to share it :) Swimming in a tail requires a lot muscle strength, finswimming too. In a video I posted previously it is clearly seen how much muscle mass the guys have. Never seen a mermaid with such bodies.
There's a huge difference here, because mermaiding is a hobby and finswimming is sports.

Morticia Mermaid (http://mernetwork.com/index/member.php?1321-Morticia-Mermaid), I have a Hydra.

[Mermaid Galene]

I just ordered a clear Hydra monofin from scubastore.com. They claim it's in stock. Fingers crossed!

Happy Birthday to me. (A little early.)

[Miyu]

I also have a Hydra! I haven't gotten to swim with it yet, but I have gotten to swim with Morticia's (before I got mine) and I love it :) The Finis fins I was trying were not agreeing with me as much LOL! Though I did get to use it for a dry photoshoot, and I love how see-through it is! I love translucent flukes!

Congrats Galene! They ship out pretty fast! And happy early birthday! (mine's coming up soon as well, haha)

[Mermaid Melanie]

In regards to proper technique - Tension is maybe something that helps finswimmers for speed but it wouldnt help with breath hold freediving - I compete in Dynamic's ( mono fin distance underwater in one breath ) and if your body is all tense your sending excess energy and oxygen to the muscles meaning you use more of your oxygen supply - the trick is to relax as much as possible in the water - yes you need a little bit of power in your movement but for sure the aim is to relax the body and muscles.

As for bending at the knees - you loose the power that you build up from the start of the stroke - even if you are using a fin that has adjustable straps, scuba fins etc you loose power in the joints - you have to bend your knees to a certain extent or you wouldnt have a strong stroke. best thing to do is watch Dynamic pool training sessions if you want to improve your technique - but everyone if different even some world record holders don't have fantastic form or technique - just raw talent

[Mermaid Jaffa]

I really don't know. Maybe I have been doing it all wrong!

I started with Mermaid Kariel's video but it feels very very tiring, like I can only do two ups and downs before I have to stop for a breather.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-pTXT3d4aw&list=UUVlog547Uituo5o_rXhHF5g

Then I started watching the Mako mermaids swimming scenes and tried that, and that way seems a lot easier and less tiring to do.

I also tried Mermaid's Nicole's way and it felt weird to move from the hips like she shows. Or maybe I'm just old and stiff...:lol:

As for bending the knees, I do bend a little to go with the flow of the undulation but I don't use them to kick for speed, if that makes any sense.

[Mermaid Galene]

Thanks, Miyu! I'm really excited about the Hydra. my Finis Rapid was cut pretty deeply by my tail maker, and it just doesn't propel me very well. I'm expecting to like the Hydra a lot more.

[Nicky-Katz]

As for bending at the knees - you loose the power that you build up from the start of the stroke - even if you are using a fin that has adjustable straps, scuba fins etc you loose power in the joints - you have to bend your knees to a certain extent or you wouldnt have a strong stroke. best thing to do is watch Dynamic pool training sessions if you want to improve your technique - but everyone if different even some world record holders don't have fantastic form or technique - just raw talent

There are a lot of opinions about this. I do not bend my knies on purpose of... knie bending. Water does that for me. This is just physics: when knies are bent, there's less forse on the fin blade, when legs are kept strait - there's more, allowing to put more power into the stroke.
The trick is keeping the balance between the movement and body tension.