[Freediving 13m] Introducing 3 of my favorite ocean gear items | GULL Mask, Snorkel, Fins
Hello, this is Sato!
In this post, I will introduce my recommended ocean gear as someone who has a diving license and can freedive down to 13m!
1. Self-introduction regarding the ocean and physical fitness
・Spent 7 years living on a remote island from 3rd grade to 9th grade
・Obtained a diving license in 6th grade
・Childhood asthma - Started swimming in kindergarten to improve it, and was on the swim team in junior high school
(I stopped swimming for a year when I moved in 3rd grade, and I could barely even run 100m, so I started again)
・Allergic rhinitis - My nose gets stuffy easily. Because of that, I couldn't equalize properly until 2023 and had never been able to dive deep while freediving.
・Started triathlons in high school and have won competitions
2. Introducing 3 essentials for the ocean!
1. Mask
Manufacturer / GULL
Series / MANTIS LV (BK Silicone)
Color / Meta Dark Orange
List Price / 24,200 yen (tax included)
Lens used / UV420 CUT AR Amber Lens
It protects the eyes by cutting out UV rays and HEV (high-energy visible blue light).
Also, by increasing contrast with the amber (yellow) color, it allows you to clearly recognize objects.
The AR coating reduces reflections, making it easier to make eye contact on the sea surface or underwater.
[How objects look through the lens]
It feels quite yellow, but I have never been bothered by it while using it underwater.
It's not dazzling at all even when I surface, and because the rubber is soft, my face doesn't hurt even after long periods of use, so it's comfortable!
★By the way, there are also stylish ones with white, transparent, or colored translucent rubber parts, but for those who want to enjoy it properly, black is recommended!!
[Reasons why black is recommended]
① Resistant to UV rays
② Transparent or translucent ones let in too much sunlight, causing the lens to flicker or reflect underwater, making it hard to concentrate
③ Dirt doesn't stand out
2. Snorkel
[A high-spec model that reigns at the pinnacle of snorkels]
Manufacturer / GULL
Series / SUPER BULLET
Color / Black
List Price / 9,000 yen (tax included)
★There is also a SUPER BULLET mini, which has the same performance but a slightly smaller mouthpiece!
Those with smaller mouths, children, or women might prefer that one.
I used to use a set of mask and snorkel that I got as a child for about 10,000 yen (it was a brand, at least), but since switching to this snorkel, breathing has become significantly easier.
There is no feeling of the tube shaking due to water resistance when diving, no feeling of restricted breathing, and it is easy to clear any water that gets in. I think it's essential for anyone who dives!
3. Fins
Manufacturer / GULL
Series / SAFE MEW
Color / Orange (only one color)
List price / 20,350 yen (tax included)
My foot size is around 23.5–24.0, so I chose size S.
When using these full-foot type fins, I only wear bare feet or thin socks, so I intentionally chose a pair that fits perfectly.
The official website also has a size chart for when wearing boots, etc., so please check it out!
★SAFE MEW is a rescue-ready design with improved visibility on the water surface and underwater, as well as easier attachment and detachment.
The standard MEW is also available, and since it comes in many colors, I recommend that one!
The price and performance are the same for both.
Actually, I ordered these, but they haven't reached me yet while I'm abroad...
I think I'll use them when I go diving around Indonesia at the end of October, so I'll update this with how they perform later!
4. Fins (before replacement)
Manufacturer / AQA
Series / Dolphin Color
Color / Yellow
List price / 7,480 yen (tax included)
These are also full-foot type fins, so I used them for many years, replacing them with S and MS sizes as I grew.
They are over 200g lighter (per fin) than GULL, and the material is quite soft, making them easy for children and beginners to handle!
The reason I replaced them is that I am already used to swimming, and I felt they were too soft to dive deep comfortably.
I also thought GULL would be more suitable for scuba diving.
Total for the 3 items: mask, snorkel, and fins
54,450 yen
—I have to play a lot so as not to let it go to waste!! Haha
Thank you for reading this far!
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