Apollo Bio Fins (for SCUBA only) love them! What was said about a mask, make sure if fits nicely to your face. I wouldn't scrimp on a mask, a leaky mask, will cause you to constantly be using your air to clear it. Any snorkel will do for the class.
Here is another local forum.
http://www.scubapost.net/forums/
That said, I don't SCUBA unless it is Oct to March,

or if my wife drags me to some tropical place for photography.