Swimming faster?

[Slim]

You just become one of the my favorite mers because of that. The only way this could be better is if your a Whovian and Supernatural fan also.

[thatotakugalaxy]

I like supernatural xD i just started watching it 2 weeks ago and its AWESOME XD


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[Slim]

We may have to move this to Facebook or PM so we aren't blowing up everyone notification.

[thatotakugalaxy]

True


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[Aurelian]

Good to see people have been giving great ideas on swimming. Let me know if you have better ways to stay deeper in the water for longer too, if you have any. I'm naturally REALLY buoyant and I have to fight to not stay on the surface, which is a waste of energy.

[thatotakugalaxy]

Hmm, well one is, if your going down, swim straight down, this keeps the nose oxygen in better then if you swam to a corner. if you swim up, try to swim with All your might!!!

about your bouyancy.... i guess what you can do is train yourself to be able to use that strength to push into the water!

[Rebela Hunter]

Actually, swimming straight down isn't a good idea. It doubles the water pressure on your head and torso, making it harder to equalize :P

Go down at an angle.
Practice apnea WITH A PARTNER. There's apps, websites, and charts & tables that can help you slowly increase your breathold C:
Also, relax yourself and take a minute to breath and clear your mind!

<3

[Rebela Hunter]

Also, Galaxy, hybrid silicone tails exist

They're made with stronger monofins meant for deeper diving, such as finis foil, finis rapid, etc. and they're neoprene coated in silicone. It's not as heavy as regular full-on silicone, so that might be a good option for you!
They're also on the cheaper side, usually around $200 - $500 ~
They're DEFINITELY faster depending on the tail's fluke shape. Anything is faster than a FinFun monofin !

The only two makers of hybrids I'm aware of is Mermaid Mazu and Purple Mermaid Stuidos! Click their names below to see their pages:
Purple Mermaid Studios
Mazu's Mermaid Emporium

I hope I'm helping! <3

[Slim]

Also, Galaxy, hybrid silicone tails exist

They're made with stronger monofins meant for deeper diving, such as finis foil, finis rapid, etc. and they're neoprene coated in silicone. It's not as heavy as regular full-on silicone, so that might be a good option for you!
They're also on the cheaper side, usually around $200 - $500 ~
They're DEFINITELY faster depending on the tail's fluke shape. Anything is faster than a FinFun monofin !

The only two makers of hybrids I'm aware of is Mermaid Mazu and Purple Mermaid Stuidos! Click their names below to see their pages:
Purple Mermaid Studios
Mazu's Mermaid Emporium

I hope I'm helping! <3

The hybrid from Mazu swims beautifully. I can say that with experience.




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[Merman Storm]

I too found the funfun monofin too flexible, and slow. So I made a stiffer insert with the same shape. I used 1/8" polycabonate, but it broke. The new one is made with 3/32" polyethylene. The stiffer fins introduced two new problems: the neoprene cover would not keep my feet on the fin, and I cannot point my toes very well. The consequences of poor toe pointing is on the foe-stroke, the fin tended to pull me backwards. That was solved by putting a 30 degree bend in the fin. The weakness of the cover was solved by adding a second neoprene strap to the fin.

Anyway, be sure to practice with whatever new fin you get. You don't want to find issues once you are at depth.
Also, its good to know what it feels like when you are around 15 seconds from needing to be on the surface, so practice your apnea too.
Finally, if you do get a breath from a scuba tank at depth, don't come up fast. One foot per second, while exhaling slowly, is required.

[The Water Phoenix]

I have a leaderfins sport monofin which is really good for travelling fast. It's a cheap alternative to the Competitor and you can choose your stiffness; I went with the medium which is very good at making you travel fast. The FinFun monofin isn't a good idea because it's not stiff enough for freediving.

[suzanne86]

I use my Finis Foil mainly for surface swimming, since hyperventilation and apnea swimming are not permitted at the YMCA pool where I swim. The Foil works great for swimming on one's side or back, and gives a good core workout that way. Don't have to worry that much about the duration of breath-holding when swimming on the surface; but it is still a good aerobic workout. In an indoor pool, one can check out the overhead lights and rafter beams! :-)

[theMerFanc]

Not sure if its been discussed yet, but if you have a smart phone, there are some great apps for working on apnea and breathholds. Be VERY careful and practice with a friend or at least let someone know what you are practicing that can keep an eye on you. Be very careful when practicing in a pool or water but as a whole, learning to hold your breath longer is an essential merskill.

[Slim]

Not sure if its been discussed yet, but if you have a smart phone, there are some great apps for working on apnea and breathholds. Be VERY careful and practice with a friend or at least let someone know what you are practicing that can keep an eye on you. Be very careful when practicing in a pool or water but as a whole, learning to hold your breath longer is an essential merskill.

Any recommendations of apps?


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[theMerFanc]

Any recommendations of apps?


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I have an android, I really like Static Apnea Trainer, It's icon is a dolphin. It allows you to set charts and save them at each interval and also has some presets. I have also liked Freediving Apnea Trainer (Icon is a hand reaching toward the surface) and I have Apnoid installed and plan to try that soon.

If you have a Windows phone (Which I just replaced) do not fret! STAmina Apnea Training is available and will do the trick as well.

[MermaidAiera]

As a safety precaution, I would also go over a rescue plan with your friends in the event you feel you can't get to the surface in time. Scuba divers are equipped with a safe-second "octopus" that can be used if a fellow diver needs to share air. Should you need to grab an extra breath, know how to do so. Be sure to go over how to clear and breathe from a regulator, do an emergency ascent, and be familiar with all the precautions for safely ascending. Scuba diving without prior training is no joke--use this plan only if its a complete emergency, and make sure you're comfortable enough to complete the procedures.

Always err on the side of caution--swimming fast also uses extra oxygen as your muscles work harder. Don't go down to the bottom right away, and if you're at all fatigued or feeling out of breath then do shallower dives or take some time to rest and recover before going under again. High performance monofins are not a solution for inexperience. If you're not fast/skilled enough at swimming, give yourself some slack and be safe rather than tire yourself out trying to use a piece of equipment outside your ability.