News
John Moorcroft reviews Aqua Lung’s new freediving suit
I was very exited and intrigued when I was asked to review Aqua Lung’s new freediving suit. I had heard one was in production and that Miguel Lozano, the Spanish and World freediving champion, had been involved with the design.
The suit is definitely designed with the competitive freediver in mind. It’s constructed from 1.5 mm high density neoprene to a triathlon/swimming wetsuit design which many freedivers (myself included) prefer for performances, both in the pool and for depth in warm tropical temperature waters.
That said, I think the robustness of the high density neoprene also makes it a good choice for tropical water recreational freediving, where there is more wear and tear (from things like rocks etc) while entering and exiting the water.
Having chosen the correct size (I recommend you err on going slightly smaller rather than larger when choosing), I met with my coach Steve Millard at the pool to give it a spin. I noticed while putting the suit on that the construction was very good; the suit is blind stitched and glued to give entirely waterproof seams and to provide additional streamlining. The neck seal is quite high and very robust to prevent flushing of the suit, something essential for reducing drag and maintaining warmth. For an off the peg suit I thought the fit was very good.
Once on, the suit felt comfortable, and in stretching out before getting in the pool I had a good unimpaired range of movement for swimming.
Having readjusted my buoyancy to be completely neutral in the pool, I did a couple of lengths no fins. The first thing I noticed was in pushing off the wall hard there was absolutely no flushing of the suit. The glide phase of the stroke cycle felt superb in this suit. I found I could easily maintain a hydrodynamic position and there was no flushing of the suit at any point of the stroke cycle.
Next I put on a monofin and did a couple of fast lengths to see if the neck seal would hold up to some real pressure. Again, there was absolutely no flushing and the glides between fin strokes felt amazing in this suit.
I think the density of neoprene used in the construction of this suit helps with streamlining the body and will also help when using the suit for depth, as there will be less buoyancy to overcome on the initial phase of the descent. I am looking forward to giving it a good workout when I compete at Vertical Blue (widely held to be the most prestigious depth competition in the freediving calendar) held at Deans Blue Hole, Long Island, Bahamas in November.
Gear News
Go anywhere with Stahlsac
Stahlsac dive bags and travel luggage are built for our community of divers, surfers, kayakers and outdoor explorers who need bags that are constructed with durability, toughness, and the highest quality the industry has ever seen. We were founded by one man determined to build better watersports and dive bags, and today, that mission is carried on by many. Adventure doesn’t just present itself; it requires discovery. When we design dive bags, we make sure they are tough enough for you to explore in all conditions—warm and cold, wet and dry—to the nearest and farthest reaches of the earth. And for those times you want to push the boundaries of adventure, Stahlsac dive bags make sure you can truly GO ANYWHERE.
Abyss Duffels
Made to be your partner-in-crime on every adventure, Stahlsac’s Abyss Duffels protects your gear from Mother Nature’s worst. Tough and 100% waterproof with double-TPU nylon material that shrugs off daily wear-and-tear, and RF-welded seams further boost the bag’s potential for lifelong exploring. Get Wet. Get Lost. Go Anywhere with Abyss.
- A weatherproof duffel for trips, travel, and adventure
- Ultra-durable double-TPU nylon protects your gear
- Material repels water and keeps your equipment dry
- RF-welded seams are flush, tough, and waterproof
- Removable straps transform duffel into backpack
- Zippered internal stow compartments carry essentials
- External zippered flap is easy to open and close
- Welded external handles make transporting a breeze
Panama Mesh Backpack
The most copied design in scuba diving, the Stahlsac Panama Mesh Backpack is the “original” design and features two high-density foam padded shoulder straps, extra durable polyester mesh, duffel bag handles and our unique zippered dry pocket inside that combines with a wet pocket outside. The bottom’s built from reinforced 18-gauge PVC nylon to combat the wear and tear of your active coastal lifestyle, and, as a bonus in every bag, we supply a 12″ x 12″ mesh drawstring satchel for extra stowing utility. Pack up your beach kit and go.
- Density foam padded shoulder straps
- Outside wet/dry pockets
- 2 Carry handles
- Tough, snag-resistant polyester mesh
- Reinforced PVC bottom
For more information about Stahlsac bags, visit www.stahlsac.com/dive-bags.
Sea & Sea is the home of Stahlsac and other leading diving brands in the UK.
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