What fins?

[mike84]

Hi,

I have recently started diving and completed a PADI open water course in Sharm in July. I have just joined a BSAC club which I am really pleased with. Without igniting a PADi vs. BSAC debate I really prefer the club approach and the people seem a really friendly bunch.

I have never dived in this country so I am going to have to familiar myself with a dry suit. This will of course involve some pool training. I have my own mask but would really like to buy a set of fins. Primarily because I have quite wide feet and often find it awkward to get fins to fit. :o

I am wondering if anyone can give me a bit of advice. I was thinking of buying some slipper type fins which would be good for when I am in the pool and on holiday. However would it be better to pay the extra and get some open heal fins rather than have to buy them later and not bother getting any full foot fins? Or will I be able to able to use full foot fins in UK waters?

Plus any advice on any good fins for novice divers? Best place to buy them?

Cheers
Mike

[Big_Nige]

I'm a novice diver, but I have lots of experience of wide feet (46G).

I bought a pair Tusa X-Pert Zoom Strap Split Fins (SF-8) from eBay, item number: 7242312199. They have had very good reviews. The seller accepted £79.00, £10 off the BIN price.

Nige

[PeteM]

Buy a set of strap fins and a pair of boots, use them in the pool, warm water and cold water.

Go to a dive shop and try them on that way you can make sure they fit your feet

[magentaseas]

Mares Avanti Planas/ Quatros are great fins. Theyre very popular in clubs so if you get a pair write your name on them. Although by the sounds of it they'd be too big for anyone else!:D

sharon

[mike84]

thanks guys, I am going to go to a dive shop over the weekend and try some on.

[mitachu]

I bought a pair of (blue) Mares Avantis with some Beaver boots.

[Gav S]

I am also a new diver but, given the choice again, I would give more consideration to ease of fitting when buying fins. I bought my Rondine As on looks, availability and price. Now though, having realised that one of the worst bits of diving is fitting fins once all geared up (it was so easy sat in my jeans on the nice dive shop chair...), I would probably be looking for a pair to which spring straps could be fitted...

Saying that, I've never used spring straps and for all I know they might not be very good - might be worth asking for opinions though, and they do seem like a good idea...

[Adrian Kelland]

Saying that, I've never used spring straps and for all I know they might not be very good - might be worth asking for opinions though, and they do seem like a good idea...
Well normal rubber straps only break just before a dive...

You've got to be doing something very wrong to break spring straps. Although the plastic on those to fit on normal mushroom fitting may well break.

Adrian

[Matt-75]

Jet fins, ie, the cheap £25 ones are nice and apparently still used by a lot of divers.

I have those and some big procella fins that are quite heavy but nice. Similar design to the Mares range of fins (Quattros).

From the many people ive talked to, avoid split fins, they dont work in currents all that well, but if all you do is dive stoney i doubt it would affect you.

[PeteM]

From the many people ive talked to, avoid split fins, they dont work in currents all that well, but if all you do is dive stoney i doubt it would affect you.

Not true of all split fins, I've tried quiet a few and hated them all except for the Apollo Bio Fins which do work