Best type of fins for current

[redacted]

I am grateful for all the responses. Many excellent points to consider. The analogies are especially thought provoking.

I have, I think, come to understand one aspect of my finning technique that is probebly flawed. I mention that I kick from the hip. I am 6'-3" and weigh only 185#. I don't flex my knees due to useless ACL's in both. (A lot of cartilage has been removed too). My long strokes coupled with my soft, short, split Scubapro Twin Jets probebly add up to a lot of waste. I have noticed decent propulsion kicking with my ankles only. This kick cannot be maintained though. Looking back, I selected the Twin Jets because of my bad knees.

I think the knee issue also rules out the frog kick. I was never very good at it. I seem to lack the coordination for it. I'm stuck with a strait stiff flutter kick. I'll work with that.



I am only looking for an edge.

I'm going to the quarry on Monday if I can find a 7mm to borrow. I have already today borrowed some Twin Jet Max, Seawings, and some older Mares Quattros. Let the experiment begin!

Your situation does sound special. When my unmiodified Blades started kicking my ass during a dive I reverted to a very wide kick with reasonable success. If that is the type kick you prefer, you might try to borrow a pair of Blades or Quatros and see if they work better than your Twin Jets for you. If they do, you can still find some bargains on ebay for those fins. And your popular Jets should still bring a good price.

 

[Pullmyfinger]

I have also noticed the constantly kicking split fin users. They kick like they are going a mile a minute without really going that fast. Kind of "spinning their wheels".

I've noticed the same thing. These users probably feel like they"re going faster.


-Mitch

 

[diverdoug1]

Another thought just came to me. In mother nature's infinite wisdom, and the multitude of intricate adaptations she has fashioned for the dwellers of the sea, if split fins really work, why don't fish have them?

 

[Pullmyfinger]

Another thought just came to me. In mother nature's infinite wisdom, and the multitude of intricate adaptations she has fashioned for the dwellers of the sea, if split fins really work, why don't fish have them?

Now you did it. Some split fin cult members will be by shortly
With some of their picture collection to post.
-Mitch

 

[Scott L]

Another thought just came to me. In mother nature's infinite wisdom, and the multitude of intricate adaptations she has fashioned for the dwellers of the sea, if split fins really work, why don't fish have them?

Fish must swim against current...

 

[elmer fudd]

Well, mdb is right about one thing. Apollo Bio Fins do seem to test out near the top of the heap in every test that I have seen.

I'm just not convinced that has anything to do with them having splits and I don't think the data bears it out either. In that 2003 university study I seem to recall that they also tested Bio Fins with the splits taped shut and that they did just as well.

I know that some split fins work very well, but I really doubt that has anything to do with them being split up the middle. I think it has everything to do with them being floppy. The fins easily bend to 90 degrees and that allows them to push the diver ahead more directly. FWIW, free diving fins do the same thing. The big difference between splits and free diving fins is that free diving fins require very long kick strokes whereas split fins recover very quickly from short kicks.

I'm also going to predict that some smart fin maker will come up with a short floppy paddle fin in the near future that will kick as easily and efficiently as splits while being as maneuverable as regular paddle fins.

 

[knowone]

Did you understand that Gilligan? No Professors.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Another thought just came to me. In mother nature's infinite wisdom, and the multitude of intricate adaptations she has fashioned for the dwellers of the sea, if split fins really work, why don't fish have them?

What makes you think they don't?

Now you did it. Some split fin cult members will be by shortly
With some of their picture collection to post.
-Mitch

What can I say ... I'm such a creature of habit ...

(but I'm not a split fin user, I just like fish) ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[diverdoug1]

I should have said fish that SWIM! I like this so much it's going to be my signature for a while!

 

[redacted]

I should have said fish that SWIM! I like this so much it's going to be my signature for a while!

Fish fins are quite varied even if you just consider those with a homocerval caudal fin. Take a look at the caudal fin on various squirrelfish and compare that to split fins.