To jet fin or not to jet fin?

[lexvil]

Jets are great, not necessarily the greatest, I’ve come to prefer the Zeagle Recon for a heavy rubber fin

 

[USdiver1]

Those Zeagles are great looking fins, but remember to lace up those boots and tie your laces before the next picture session.

 

[lexvil]

Those Zeagles are great looking fins, but remember to lace up those boots and tie your laces before the next picture session.

Using bungee

 

[Nemrod]

Oceanic Accel is the lightest/stiffest/most compact fin that I have used in a 'tec' context, including back-kicking in a drysuit. 1.4kg for the pair. They won't win a race, but you can dolphin kick/monofin with them to cover distance in a bind.

Same power and kicking feel (weight aside) as a genuine SP Jet, same size and weight as the Accel:








I used to call my Accels my 60% Jets, now I call them my 60% Go-Sport (Gorillas), I do not mean size, I mean thrust. I still have them, size Large, mint condition, any takers ? Currently relegated to taking up space on my dive shelf and pool duty.

The Go-Sport bungee strap and open toe box just push it to the top for comfort. No scrunched toes and the strap on my Accels has popped free on a giant stride entry more than once. Not a problem for the Go-Sport.

 

[justinthedeeps]

It seems like the Accel, being completely flat and a bit stiffer, accomplishes back-kicking somewhat better than the Go-Sport, whose shape sways back and spills water on a back kick. (Have used both)

Accel strap yes liability for rough conditions. Lost a black one that way climbing out of a surgy lava shore at night.

 

[Nemrod]

It seems like the Accel, being completely flat and a bit stiffer, accomplishes back-kicking somewhat better than the Go-Sport, whose shape sways back and spills water on a back kick. (Have used both)

Accel strap yes liability for rough conditions. Lost a black one that way climbing out of a surgy lava shore at night.

No, absolutrely not. The Go-Sport is superior in every kick to the Accel. The GS is particularly good at back kicks and sculling, better at frog, much better flutter and more comfortable. And the GS bungee is just a better retainer than the rubber band of the Accel. The Go-Sport and GS Gorilla behave more like a Scubapro Jet but half the weight.

There are at least four methods to back kick, two main ones, and one that does not really even need fins:

1. Side rail sweep, ankle rotation. The GS has a larger side rail and does this method excellent.
2. Reverse frog, the GS does this well also but due to the pre-bend in the blade a little more ankle flex might be needed compared to flatter fins like the Eddy or the Accel (which has a curve in it also), not really noticeable to me.
3. Reverse sculling, Accel is okay, GS is great.
4. Using the back of the calves. No fins really needed.