What do I need to start spearfishing? (Part II)

Part II: Fins. In this part we will try to give you all the information you need so that you can choose the right fin.


2. Fins
There are a lot of different options out there when choosing a fin. When it comes to spearfishing you will need a pair of fins that will fit you comfortably and that you find easy to use. Below you will find a list of some general tips which should help you decide on which fins to choose.

Location: Where will you be spearfishing?
- Reefs and wrecks: When you spearfish around reefs and wrecks it’s recommended that you avoid longer fins. These can get in the way when you are spearfishing in close quarters. Split fin designs are also not really recommended around wrecks and reefs. In general shorter, stiffer one blade fins can provide you with more manoeuvrability in these tighter conditions.
- Open waters: When spearfishing in open waters you will need a pair of fins that offer you the most power with each kick. This way you can move more quickly and easily over longer distances without tiring your legs out to much. Fin straps are considered a good investment as they can help you to secure your fins in place when travelling over longer distances.

What do I need to start spearfishing? (part I)

In the following days we will discuss some of the essential parts that are needed if you decide to pick up spearfishing. We will cover the mask, fins, snorkel, wetsuit, buoy, dive knife, fish keep/catch bag and of course the speargun.

Today we’ll start with part I: The mask.

 

1. Mask
How do you find the perfect mask? Here are a few guidelines that can help you decide.

Clear silicone mask or black silicone mask? Black silicone is usually ideal, but clear masks also have certain specific pros and cons. Clear silicone has a tendency to cast images or reflections on the inside of the lens causing distractions or even loss of clarity to viewing, however, some people prefer clear silicone claiming a less “claustrophobic” feeling. So this choice is kinda up to you personally, whichever you prefer.

Kayaking and Canoeing - What Floats your Boat?

One of the UK's fastest growing sports, kayaking is fun, relaxing, exciting and best of all its good exercise!  Here in Devon we are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a Kayaking location.  The coastline and rivers are fantastic for both scenery, wildlife and bouncing over white stuff!  The Jurassic Coast is a World Heritage Site which covers 95 miles of truly stunning coastline from East Devon to Dorset, with rocks recording 185 million years of the Earth's history.  After something a bit more lively? Dartmoor offers some fantastic white water opportunities.  The upper section of the Dart is challenging enough to keep the more experienced happy, whilst still providing some beginner and intermediate stretches.  The lower section of the Dart, from Totnes to Dartmouth, is flat and is home to several seals, the river offers a spectacular and pleasurable tour of the countryside. 

BlueWaterSports.com is major internet retailer with its head quarters and showroom in Paignton, Devon.  Stocking a range of wetsuits, scuba diving and kayaking equipment, they offer expert help and advice.  A particular area of expertise is inflatable kayaks...

Rigid kayaks are great but can be difficult to transport and store, particularly with the casual paddler in mind.  In recent years inflatable kayak technology has advanced rapidly.  So what are the advantages in having an inflatable kayak? To begin with, they are incredibly convenient to take it with you and can fit in the boot of even the smallest hatchback, the smaller ones you can just stuff into a backpack and you're ready to go. Inflatable kayaks are actually as durable as the hardshell kind; the top of the range craft use the same technology as whitewater rafts that you see careering over the rocks and drops in Canada and the States.  Inflatable kayaks are built with multiple layers in order to survive impacts and scrapes so as to provide safety for its users, rest assured it won't suddenly pop like a balloon if something pointed comes near it. Also, they're very stable and easy to manoeuvre, whether on whitewater or flat.

When it comes to price comparison generally inflatable kayaks are cheaper than similarly spec'ed hardshell kayaks, BlueWaterSports.com advise investing the saving in good quality paddles and buoyancy aids.  As with most hardware it's better to spend more on something that you'll get to use for a few years, rather than pay less for something that'll last a single summer. BlueWaterSports.com has the widest selection of inflatables in the UK so you are sure to find a kayak which will suit your needs, wants and budget.

Information on choosing the perfect wetsuit

Choosing a wetsuit (For the UK)

Types of wetsuits

Shortie - Comes with  short arms, usually finishing just above the elbow and short legs – they will mostly finish just above the knee or on the thigh. Shortie’s are the perfect wetsuits for the hotter summer days. Lightweight and easy to get into. Ex.: The Cressi Playa Men's Shortie Wetsuit with Front Zipper , Cressi - Playa Ladies Pink Shortie Wet Suit - Frontal Zipper Style

After a busy Monday a busy Tuesday!

The nice weather has made an appearance in the UK and caused our order numbers to jump.  The dispatch team worked at double speed yesterday to get all the weekend sales picked, packed and on their way.  Big sellers at the moment are the new range of premium branded beach shoes from Mares and Gumotex inflatable kayaks.

Olympic torch in our home town!

Hope there is a good turn out on Sunday for the olympic torch as is passes through Paignton.  There is a great link showing the people taking part here... http://www.london2012.com/torch-relay/torchbearers/community=paignton/index.html

Blue Water Sports blog pages launched

We now have an blog area on our website!
blog.bluewatersports.com
Here we will be updating you with the latest news on our products and website and we'll also be posting anything that we find relevant, interesting or just funny.
You can send us suggestions on products you think we should be stocking, or send us a report from when you first tried out a Kayak, wetsuit or anything else you bought at Blue Water Sports. We love to hear your stories!
Be sure to check out our blog regularly for your daily dosis of Blue Water Sports!
The Blue Water Sports team