How Do You Feel About Duo Fins?

[sal410cat]

Hi everyone!

I was just wondering what you guys think of duo fins compared to a monofin? For someone that's never used a monofin before, should you start in duo fins to get used to being propelled? Tell me your thoughts!!

[Raayvhen]

I've never used regular fins and I had no trouble adjusting to a monofin. I think its better to start off with one anyways because then you get used to the movement and can really get a feel for the dolphin kick. The only thing I have to say about having the extra force as someone who isn't a quick swimmer is that it feels more like gliding through the water than anything else.

[AmbrGlows]

As a person who has never used swim aids of any kind and just finished a 30 minute swim in a monofin for the first time it is very easy to get use to the monofin. I have the FinFun monofin and I love it.

[Echidna]

I like bi-fins better than large, stiff monofins.
I've swum with both (always with dolphin kick), and I found I prefer the fast, fluid movements I get with more flexible bi-fins, which are far more manouverable than a large monofin.

It's a matter of preference. You can use both to the same effect.

[AmbrGlows]

The FinFun monofin is very flexible.

[sal410cat]

Thanks guys! I just got a pair of bi fins since they were on sale, I guess I'll have to grab a monofin and see which ones works better.

[Theobromine]

Caltuna...you just gave me a really interesting idea when you pointed out how much more maneuverable bifins are. I've used both bifins and monofins for years (bifins for many more years due to snorkeling) and it's true that while monofins are pretty easy to learn and get around in, regular bifins give you far more maneuverability. If you learn to scuba dive, and you become good at it, you eventually should get to the point where you don't need to use your arms/hands at all, being able to move forward, backward, and make tight turns using just your fins (and you can usually spot inexperienced divers by their flailing arms :P ).

WHICH LEADS ME TO, how cool would it be to make a silicone mermaid tail with custom bi-fins instead of a monofin? They could be connected just at the heel to keep them from being pulled away from one another, but you'd be able to move each fluke lobe somewhat independently of the other. I don't know if it would work as well in real life as it does in my head but....hmm. Hmmmm.

[Echidna]

I actually use bi-fins in some of my tails.
I can turn tighter and faster with them, but I haven't tried moving them individually.

At any rate, bi-fins feel less cumbersome than even a floppy monofin (i sure can turn and manouever well with a floppy monofin too, but it usually breaks rather quickly if I'm not very careful).

Maybe I haven't found the ideal monofin yet.

[sal410cat]

I actually use bi-fins in some of my tails.
I can turn tighter and faster with them, but I haven't tried moving them individually.

At any rate, bi-fins feel less cumbersome than even a floppy monofin (i sure can turn and manouever well with a floppy monofin too, but it usually breaks rather quickly if I'm not very careful).

Maybe I haven't found the ideal monofin yet.


So, just for clarification you use bi fins in your tails and use them together in the dolphin kick instead of individually? And here I thought I'd HAVE to have a monofin in order to have a tail. Hmmmmmm.