Trying to figure out which fins to buy. thank you!
Non-split. I’m on a swim team (CSP) and we use non-split fins during our regular practices. I have also gone Snorkeling multiple times, and have always worn non-split fins.
Tropical islands provide a wide range of activities for vacationers. Depending on what you’re interested in, there is an island in the world for you. The number of activities available for vacationers depends on the size of the island and its location in the world.
Most islands offer the standards: snorkeling, scuba diving, parasailing, and kayaking. Larger islands such as Bali, Hawaii, and Reunion offer many more activities such as hiking, jungle trekking, wild life safaris, and surfing. In fact, surfing is a widespread activity on many of the largest and most popular destinations in the world. Surfing is a very physical sport where beach goers learn to ride the waves and stand up on a board. It’s very hard but a great work out and lessons can be done very cheaply. For those who want something less challenging, you can always go body boarding. Body boarding is when you get a small board and lay on it, letting the wave take you in. It is very fun.
Jungle trekking allows people a chance to see the local flora and fauna and get out of the sun for a day. However, it is only the larger islands, most notably the ones in the pacific region, that offer this activity as many other islands in the world tend to be small and don’t offer the extensive amount of jungles and wildlife that these large islands can. Some of the best islands to hike around include Hawaii, Bali, Fiji, Bora Bora, Reunion, and Cebu. You’ll be able to work up a great sweat for when you come back, taking a cool refreshing dip the ocean.
By far the most popular activities involve the ocean. Vacationers look forward to exploring the ocean and seeing the vast reefs and abundant fish that inhabit the waters beneath the surface. Some of the best diving in the world can be found in the Seychelles, the Maldives, Bali, Thailand, and Australia. For those not interested in scuba diving, there is always snorkeling. Snorkelers simply float on top of the water with a mask and fins and stare down and look at the wildlife below.
For adventurous people, you can go sailing or fishing. Many tropical islands offer sailing tours to see dolphins or whales and sunset trips for couples and honeymooners looking to add romance into their trip. You can rent on or have someone take you out. For those looking to fish, you can also rent a boat and head out into the ocean to catch dinner. A lot islands offer deep sea fishing where you can catch “the big one.” You’ll be able to eat for a week when you do!
Beaches offer a wide variety of activities beyond just getting a tan. For those interested in traveling to islands, it’s important to thoroughly research the type of beach activities you want. For those looking to just relax, you can build sandcastles, get a massage, order some fruit drinks and just get a tan. While the majority of islands can accommodate your needs, for those looking for more active island adventures need to look for large islands or large chains of islands so you can get a wide variety of activities to do.
Matthew Kepnes
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/great-activities-to-do-on-tropical-islands-680104.html
The fins i use for Snorkelling now bend between the heel and the toes and give me a cramp which isn’t so good in the middle of the ocean! Any fins that aren’t so flexible ?
Use scuba fins. You will need to wear dive boots with them but they’re not a big deal. They’re kind of like a neoprene sock. The scuba fins will be stiffer and will provide more thrust when you need it, but can also be used in a gentle and relaxed, low effort motion as well.
Check out the "propeller" fins that are split down the middle. They are quite a bit easier on the legs and still seem to generate good thrust, but the technique is a little different. Smaller kicks at a slightly faster face, etc.
Or, if you want a lot of trust in an instant, get a pair of the "old school" paddle fins. They take a little more leg muscle to use for long periods of time, but they have been fine for most people for several decades.
I use both types, depending on what I’m doing, and for how long. My propeller fins are Tusa and my paddle fins are Scuba Pro. I don’t believe in being a slave to a brand, those just happen to be what I liked in each type.
Try a dive shop. You can find close heel fins at many sporting goods stores, but the quality will not be the same. They are not normally used for scuba diving but the dive shops supply Snorkeling gear also.
Don’t know if it is the best but here’s a start…
http://www.swimoutlet.com/Swim_Fins_s/329.htm
Good luck.
Long ones are recommended for Snorkelling and freediving. However, short ones (swim training fins) are fine for pottering around close inshore, and are actually better in confined shallow reefs if there are lots of other people around. It’s very difficult to see where a long one is drifting, and too easy to damage corals, or hit someone else.
I take a pair of each.
When I travel, I pack my fins next to the frame in my large backpack, and I usually have no problems. However, returning from my last trip, my bag was overloaded, and the trip took a couple days longer then expected. As a result, the outside tip of each fin got bent upwards slightly. There is no crease in the plastic, and it only sticks up about an inch or less, so they are still usable, but…..
How do I straighten this? Advice?
you can straighten it with your hands.
I am 14 and on a year round swim team & the coach says I need to get fins to practice with. Are snorkel fins ok to use in a pool? If not, what kind do you recommend I should get. Links would be helpful :]
I would first ask your coach, but chances are he/she will say no to the Snorkel fins. When you swim with long fins, you can´t kick fast and practice using your fast twitch muscles. Also, if you have short fins, the actual kicking motions and muscles utilized will be the same, you will just have to move more water therefore strengthening your kick. When you change the length of the fin, you are changing the muscle groups worked, and when you take the long fins off your non fin kick won´t be any better off.
Something like this would be good: http://www.speedousa.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3106943&utm_source=yahoo-ssp&utm_medium=pi&utm_date=20091004&utm_content=7530259
I want to buy body boarding fins, water shoes, & Snorkeling gear.
DUDE you are so there now , HUH, check out "BUNGER’S"
http://www.bungersurf.com/