entry/exit observations

[The Chairman]

I helped my much leaner/skinnier buddy through tough entries and exits

Balance and strength are fine... work on them as you see fit. However, physics is on my side when it comes to inertia. A wave will rarely move me, while Elena may get bounced around like a ping pong ball. I find very few exercises that can adequately prepare you for balancing amidst highly dynamic forces such as a wave. That's why you never see gymnasts doing their thing in the surf. You can be perfectly balanced until those kWatts of energy pound your butt. Then it's you, your anticipation and your inertia that will win the day, or you'll simply be tossed about. Unlike most currents, the five principles of Dodge Ball won't help much either: Dodge, Dive, Dip, Duck and Dodge. You have to anticipate, brace, bend a bit and recover. If a pole helps you with the bracing, then I don't see a real problem with it.

 

[uncfnp]

Sorry Netdoc but I'd rather risk a tumble then put on an extra 50 lbs inertia.

For me its timing the waves and careful choice of footing to avoid debris, rock or channel. And closer to shore, slime covered rocks. A wide based stance to broaden center of gravity too when possible.

 

[diver0008]

View attachment 368997

Ever see a bodybuilder on a balance beam?

Irrelevant extremes.

 

[diver0008]

You have to anticipate, brace, bend a bit and recover

That sounds about right.

 

[uncfnp]

Irrelevant extremes.

How so?

 

[uncfnp]

Think of strength as a brick sitting on a table. Weight and base give it stability. But not a good example of balance.

Now think of a coin on edge. Not stable but exqusitely balanced.

Balance really has very little to do with strength but everything to do with equallibrium and sensory input from the body, a feedback system.

 

[darook]

Here is a good read for those interested in this: "Balance" Training | Austin Baraki
It is particularly relevant to divers when one considers that it is an activity that lends itself to participation well into the golden years.

We are dynamically balancing at all times. When moving through a disruptive environment such as surf and uneven bottoms we are using the vestibular, somatosensory and visual systems to detect imbalance. The only way we can respond to imbalance is with muscular force to recover the position of our center of mass.

I am not saying a cane is a bad idea, what I am saying is that anyone regardless of age, can benefit in getting stronger. This is particularly true for an activity that involves strapping on a heavy backpack and venturing into turbulent and uneven terrain.

 

[darook]

How so?

Irrelevent in that it assumes that the gymnast is not strong. I have never seen a good gymnast that wasn't strong. Body building and strength training are two entirely different pursuits.

 

[uncfnp]

Clearly some strength is needed just to stand. My point is that strength beyond a certain point is of no benefit in balance. You said it yourself. Its a dynamic feedback loop. Improvement in balance requires routines to improve this loop.

Anyway, got to turn off my ipad. On the runway headed to Bonaire to practice my balance And stability!

 

[darook]

So you carry something to break your fall too

If I'm going down the camera is going to land on me! Repairing me is much cheaper. It does make an excellent counterweight to the tank on my back actually.