Sean’s View on Gear for Underwater Hockey

January 2005

 

Mask

What you want: 

1) A mask that does not leak

2) A mask with 2 lenses

3) A low profile mask

 

Favorite:

Cressi Sub Superocchio

 

 

 

Mares Target

 

 

Scuba Masks - Sporasub Samurai Free Diving Mask Sporasub Samurai

 

Omer Abyss

 

Technisub Luna

 

They are all almost the same.  It’s all of the wanted characteristics and strong.  The only problem I have is a little less vision (but more than a regular dive mask due to the eyes being closer to the lens) and the side strap retainers sometime come loose when I pull real hard.

 

Other common masks used: 

Technisub Sphera – Great vision that wraps around your face, but is less protective due to a lens and frams that can flex.  When it does flex, it can develop leaks.

 

Technisub Falco

Cressi Sub Minima

Dacor Bandit

 

 

 

Snorkel

Flexible tube

Comfortable Silicon Mouthpiece – the last thing you need is a hard plastic or rubber mouthpiece that irritates you.  You’ll end up just throwing it away.

Large Bore (Tube Diameter) – you need all the air you can get while on the surface

No valves or funny attachments – they just get in the way and are cumbersome creating lots of drag

 

 

Fins

 

Get fins that have a full-foot on them.  Strap on boot fins will be heavier and stiffer and not as good.  They will have buckles to provide more drag along with those neoprene booties.  The buckles can also hurt other players in the pool.   Same applies for fins with sharp edges.  You may use them as long as they are taped and will not injure anyone.

 

Qualities that should be looked at in fins are:

1)      Acceleration – wide, short, stiff fins are best here

2)      Top end speed – longer stiffer fins with lots of surface area are better but you sacrifice acceleration and turning ability

3)      Turning ability – short, light fins are best, but you loose top end speed

4)      Durability – some fins just give out after a dozen hours of kicking them; I’ve only listed well known, durable fins.

5)      Comfort – the foot pocket should let you play for hours.  Cramps sometimes develop in the foot due to fins being too tight, but as you progress, you’ll not get the cramps anymore.

 

Your choice of fins depends on a few things:

The bigger and longer and stiffer the fin is, the more leg strength you will need to push them.  And heavier people need more push.  But remember that the bigger a fin, the harder it is to maneuver in tight spots as well.  I like to choose a fin for different occasions or position.  I like the big fins for being a forward and having a higher top speed.  For a mid or back position, I like the Technisub Ala’s, allowing me to turn faster or have a quicker acceleration, but a lower top speed.

 

The largest fin commonly used is the Mares Quattro and following that is the Mares L’s and other no-longer produced fins such as the Cressi Sub Rondine Pro and Technisub Ala.  Mares HP’s are the smallest fin I’d recommend, but have adequate propulsion to them.  Other fins such as the US Divers Blades FP (also called Technisub Stratos FP) fall in between the HP’s and the larger fins.  The Technisub Prostar might be a good fin, but I have not tested them out.  The Mares Avanti Tre is very similar if not identical to the HP’s.  The Technisub Idea is a bit wimpy, but holds up well and is recommended for beginners.  Stay away from the Cressi Frog line of fins as they break within a dozen times of playing in them.

 

Technisub Ala – A great all around fin with great propulsion and turning ability.  As of 2005 they are not available.  Technisub has said that they have no plans for making more.

Mares Avanti Quattros or Mares Avanti L’s – A great fin for people with strong legs.  I’d say this is the fin most used at a world competition level.  Readily available for around $100.  The downside is that they are hard (tiring) to kick and the turning ability is reduced.  UPDATE:  Mares has replaced this fin with the Avanti Excel.  Not anything like the L or the Quattros, the Excels are lightwiehgt and have very little power and run for about $80.

Mares Avanti HP’s – Hockey’s favorite starter fin.  A light fin that has decent propulsion and stays intact through years of play.  These are definitely not for the fast runaways as they don’t have top end speed.  Very easy to turn in.

 

Mares Avanti Tre – See Hp’s above, but a littl emore power some say..

 

US Diver’s Blades FP or Technisub Stratos – A great all around fin that have diminished abilities of all the other fins; not quite as good as the Ala’s for acceleration or turning, harder to kick than the HP’s (but faster), easier to kick than the Quattros, but not as fast.  A recommended choice.

Cressi Sub Pro Star – Although I’d like to recommend these, I’ve never kicked them and also can’t attest to their longevity.  They seem like they may be alright, but use at your own risk.

 

Technisub Idea – These are similar to the HP’s for speed, but are somewhat larger making the turning a bit clumsier.