A quick question for EXPERIENCED scuba divers / snorkelers?
Hey now!
I'm just getting into snorkeling and scuba diving and want to get a really good mask/snorkel/fins to begin with. Unfortunately, I do not live anywhere close to a dive shop and have to order these items online. The store has said not to worry about sizes, as I can send back and exchange sizes at no charge to myself (which is really rare and nice of them). But I am not sure which brand or model to go with, especially for fins.
What would you consider to be the very best set of fins, if money was not an issue? Atomic? Mares? Should I get split fins?
Do dry snorkels really work? Do they close when submerged? If you have a good dry snorkel what brand did you get?
Thanks a bunch. Any extra advice or abuse you want to include for a rookie scuba diver/snorkeler would be appreciated. I will be taking a PADI or NAUI course in the winter on vacation, but wanted to practice snorkeling all summer and fall.
You have to decide if you intend to dive in warm climates or cold climates first. If you intend to dive anywhere other than those southern states that are along the Gulf of Mexico, you'll have to have cold climate fins which accomodate your foot + a 3-5 mm bootie whereas warm climate fins slip right onto your bare foot. Hopefully you know this already.
If I assume cold climate, then I'm a Mares Volo believer! This fin has a pivot point in the middle of the fin to make your kick a little easier with more propulsion. If you go with a Mares Quatro, you're not going to like it! I have this fin, and it was "the most powerful" back in the day when I bought my "best equipment". This sucker has some great propulsion, but only if you have tree trunks for legs! To kick this fin for a whole dive will get your legs cramping up real quick unless your in better than average athletic shape.
Soon after these fins came out, the split fins came out. At that time, it helped let people kick a little easier with more propulsion than regular fins but not quite as much as the Quatro. Then Mares came out with a middle fin, the Volo. The addition of the pivot made the Quatro design easier to kick.
As for snorkels, there's a few considerations. If you intend to do a significant amount of snorkeling then a dry snorkel is definitely worth the price. They definitely stay 95-99% dry, and they'll stay mostly dry underwater. BUT, that's a good *and* a bad thing. Good for obvious reasons, but BAD because when you scuba dive, that air in the snorkel will *pull* up on the side of your mask because there's air in it! That really sucks. It's really uncomfortable on the side of your face. I have an Ocean Master dry snorkel, and I don't even use it on most dives for that reason--the only time I bring it is if it looks like the conditions warrant it, but that's not a good habit, you should always bring a snorkel.
Another thing to consider: stiffness. If your snorkeling, stiffness keeps the thing pointed in the right direction. If your diving, the stiffness only bangs against the side of your face while it wobbles on the side of your mask.
My preference/recommendation would be to have a medium stiff soft rubber snorkel for diving without the dry feature.
Other advice. 90% of my equipment I bought at Diver's Direct in Florida. I can say without a doubt, they have *the* best prices and they have *the* best customer service. I've ordered from them online, and I've even been to their stores and in both ways, they people are knowledgable, friendly and helpful! You can quote me on that! But also remember that when possible, always try to buy what you can afford at your local dive shops, nobody really gets rich selling equipment, you'll just be helping out fellow divers and that's a great thing!
Hope this helps and good luck!
If you want to select the perfect place to call home in California, Carmel is an excellent destination. Hiking the California coast, visiting wineries, sailing, and golfing are just some of the many activities you can enjoy in Carmel. Carmel boasts miles of beautiful coastline where you can enjoy leisurely strolls and admire the gorgeous views. The climate is comfortable year-round, affording residents and visitors myriad outdoor activities.
Water Activities in Carmel
Carmel is an excellent location for sailing and scuba diving. The Monterey Peninsula boasts some of the best scuba diving in central California. Monastary Beach is the most popular spot in the area for scuba divers.
Sailing is another popular activity for water sports enthusiasts in Carmel. Places where you can take sailing lessons and charter boats in Carmel and its surrounding areas include the Monterey Bay Sailing School, Carrera Sailing Charters & School, and the Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club. Party boats can be chartered on Fisherman's Wharf #1.
For those interested in hiking the California coast, there are plenty of areas to explore in Carmel. At Macabee Beach, you can hike and explore the region's fascinating kelp forests. At Carmel River State Beach, bird watching is a popular activity. Asilomar Beach features walking trails that take you through the sand dunes.
Wineries
Visiting wineries and tasting the area's fine wines is another activity that cannot be missed if you are in Carmel, California. There are several world-class wineries in Monterey County, from San Lucas to Monterey. The wineries are world-renowned and feature several tasting rooms. The Monterey County Vintners and Growing Association sponsors special tours and tastings year-round.
Golf
Monterey Bay was recently named the #1 destination for golfers in Golf Digest magazine. There are several prestigious golf courses on the Monterey Peninsula, which is often referred to as a Golfer's Mecca. The Del Monte Golf Course is the oldest golf course still in operation west of the Mississippi. The Del Monte Golf Course features well protected greens as well as an inviting pavilion adjacent to the course.
The Tehama golf course is a luxury private invitation-only golf course in Carmel, California. Owned by Clint Eastwood, the Tehama Golf Course is expansive and magnificent. It is a generous course with elevated tee boxes. No tee times are necessary for members at this walk on course. The Tehama Golf Club also features a clubhouse that boasts spectacular views of the rolling hills and Carmel Bay and Monterey Bay.
No matter what your interests are, you're bound to enjoy Carmel, California. From tasting world-class wines to hiking the gorgeous California coast, a wealth of activities is available for your enjoyment in Carmel.
Jake Jacobson recently relocated from Arizona to Carmel, CA. As a licensed realtor in California, Jake's real estate career spans more than 30 years specializing in luxury gated golf communities. He is excited to be part of the Tehama Realty team and make Carmel his home.
i love girl jeans
they fit better, look nicer, and are just plain amazing
what i don't like is fat ass emo skaters who wear them three sizes too small
i also dislike old guys in their thirties who are trying to recapture their youth with tight pants and band t's
i am blessed with slim muscular legs
and i know i can pull them off lol
if you find good ones that don't crush your junk and don't have girly designs on them and aren't tighter than a scuba suit, they're the best thing ever
flare, boot, skinny, i rock em all
i get compliments on my butt daily
most people can't even tell they're not mens
i want to get your opinions on it
it's not gonna change my view, i'm just curious
what do you think of guys wearing girl jeans?
weird, sexy, freakin sweet?
I think it's ok there is more than just you who wear them so i have to go with freakin sweet.
In the past, sports in general were considered a male activity, and high endurance sports like triathlon were especially restricted to male only participants. But just as societal attitudes have evolved in regard to gender and sporting activity, the gear associated with a given sport has evolved with the needs of the athletes themselves. With the introduction of triathlon specific wetsuits to the sport, suit design and technological advances have made it possible to highly refine the characteristics that separate a men's triathlon wetsuit from one that is tailored for female competitors.
The subject of using a triathlon wetsuit has been a bit controversial ever since they first began being used. Many events, such as the Ironman competition in Hawaii, do not allow the aid of a wetsuit. There are valid arguments on either side of the issue, but the fact remains that a wetsuit provides an excellent advantage to any triathlete who chooses to use one.
If you are a male triathlon competitor and you are thinking about purchasing a men's triathlon wetsuit, there are a few things to keep in mind while searching for the perfect suit.
All wetsuits are not alike. I know this sounds pretty obvious, but I've actually seen people at triathlon competitions wearing wetsuits designed for surfing or scuba diving. If you're new to triathlon and you are contemplating wearing a wetsuit for the swim, be sure you shop for a triathlon wetsuit! These types of suits are designed specifically so that the suit is thinner in the shoulders, elbows, and armpits and thicker in the areas where you need buoyancy while swimming – the upper legs and chest. Also, the exterior of most modern triathlon wetsuits is designed for competition swimming. A great deal of research and material goes into the hydrodynamic function of the suit.
Make sure you can wear a suit at your event. If you are going for your first triathlon and you are considering wearing a wetsuit, check the rules for your event to ensure wetsuits are permitted. It would be a huge waist or time and resources if you were to purchase a suit, test it and train with it, only to arrive at your event and find the suit is not even permitted.
Be sure you can test your suit before settling on a purchase. Many online retailers or local shops have very friendly return policies, allowing you to test your suit before you make a final decision. Another option to save a bit of money is to find a shop where you can try on a suit, and then find it online for an even cheaper price. Searching online it's fairly easy to find discount codes for many of the online triathlon gear retailers. Every triathlon wetsuit brand is cut a bit differently, so definitely find the suit that fits you best. You will be much faster in any suit that fits properly than you will in one that is slightly baggy (greater drag) or binding (less flexible, more restrictive).
Many experienced triathletes choose to swim without the aid of a wetsuit because they see not wearing a suit as a truer test of one's abilities. Other triathletes, even the more experienced one's, feel that if you are allowed a competitive advantage then use it! Whatever you have in mind, undeniable reasons exist justifying why it is good to wear a suit. The greatest benefit of using a triathlon wetsuit whether you be male or female is the added buoyancy they provide. This is specifically advantageous to beginners who feel their legs may be "too heavy" while in the water. Not having to use your legs as much during the swim will also be also save your legs for the run and bike ride, and you wont be burning all the energy the large leg muscles generally require. Triathlon wetsuits will also keep you warm if your event is in particularly frigid water, and as stated they seriously cut down on drag as well. All of this adds up to a great deal more energy you will have later for the other two events of the competition.
Many of the diehard purists of the sport feel that triathlon wetsuits should not be allowed in the sport. In many instances these purists have a valid point, and in a great deal of events having a wetsuit is just impractical and becomes more of a hindrance than an advantage – think transition during a shorter triathlon or swimming in warmer water. There are other instances in which it is almost impossible to go without a wetsuit and the competitor may not even be able to participate without the aid of a suit. For many athletes, the wetsuit is something a beginner may find valuable, but an experienced triathlon competitor should eventually transition away from using a wetsuit. Whatever your take on the subject, triathlon wetsuits will always prove to be a valuable tool for any athlete who wishes to test their own physical mettle.
Joel Henderson is an avid writer and fitness enthusiast. You can read more about the subject of this article at Best Triathlon Wetsuit.
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