Are split fins really that great?

[diverbrian]

I have a bad right leg from my time in the service (running on cement and not knowing a thing about good running shoes), I will take any break that I can get on that knee so I use the Twin Jets.

Even though I do what some organizations consider "technical diving" if involves decopression stops and not over head environment work where I would have to use anything other than a frog kick and flutter kicks. I am still in open water. I can do a frog kick in splits. I don't move as fast, but that is fine as I do a lot a photography (I like to move slow anyways.). My posture is such that the only time that I move any silt is when I am picking up cans and such off the bottom. If and when I get into "overhead environment" diving in a couple of years, I will most likely get a set of paddle fins and only use them for that type of diving. Until then, I like my splits and I am keeping them.

 

[ScoobieDooo]

I don't have them - but I can tell you diving with friends who Do have them - I can't keep up with them.

??

 

[Braunbehrens]

It is true that paddle fins and using the frog kick are harder on your knees. The problem is that the rotation while under water is hard on the joint.

The solution of course is not split fins, but a gavin scooter

Unfortunately the gavin is a little more expensive than the split fins, but then it's also a lot more fun.

 

[gkwaldee]

Braunbehrens once bubbled...
It depends what you want.

while actually making you go faster for the same effort. Yes, IMO, noticeably faster............... they are bad at non standard kicks (unuseable), they are bad at positioning you in the water, they are bad for turning, etc.

I disagree, I have alot of control, can turn easily, and use frog kicks, reverse kicks, and helo turns all the time with my gray twin jets...........the biggest problem I have is out swimming the others in our group when were in blue space.

tiny bubbles

 

[Braunbehrens]

gkwaldee once bubbled...


I disagree, I have alot of control, can turn easily, and use frog kicks, reverse kicks, and helo turns all the time with my gray twin jets...........the biggest problem I have is out swimming the others in our group when were in blue space.

tiny bubbles

THat's really weird. I had these exact same fins, and they are extremely floppy. Backward kick was basically impossible, because it involves slicing the fin into the water, and the gray twins would just bend at that point.

I was however, faster than my buddies when using the flutter kick over long stretches.

Too bad you're so far away, I'd love to see how you do it.

 

[gkwaldee]

i place the soles of my feet together to change position with the fin, instead of turnin the fin horizonal. It's not as easy as blades, but it can be done

tiny bubbles

 

[shrwdtech]

I've gone through my old Jet Fins, then the Dacor Turbo Flex were the ones to have, until Oceanic came out with the Pro. Apollo's Prestige were kinda nice to kick with once you got used to not over powering them, then I bought my Bio Fins.

Unless I lose them, I think my hunt for the perfect fin is over. I have found them terribly responsive when I'm teaching, shooting underwater photo, in a current diving Puget Sound.

It only took me a dive or so to get used to them, and I've never experienced any of the troubles others have claimed to have. I can turn on a dime, push against a current, haul my equipment around underwater, Frog Kick and scull, and have been pleased to notice some air conservation based, I assume, on the fact that I am not working as hard. That part might be in my head, though.

I've also tried the Sherwood Trek, Tusa split fins, and the Atomics. I didn't much like the Atomics as I felt they were a bit stiff. But all in all, they all performed well.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I've got almost 600 dives on my BioFins, and those of you who claim you can only flutter kick in them are flat out wrong.

I can flutter, frog, and helicopter just fine. When in silty conditions, I use modified frog and flutter kicks ... and I don't kick up silt with either. I know LOTS of divers who have equal success with splits.

The only thing I will agree with you on is that splits are not designed to enable one to swim backward ... at least that's the case with BioFins. I cannot say for certain whether that's true for all splits.

Those of you who mentioned overweighted divers in the vertical position kicking up silt neglect to consider that has nothing whatsoever to do with their choice of fins ... they'd do exactly the same thing in Jets.

Those of you who say you only ever use a frog kick must not dive in places where current's an issue. In anything over about a half-knot or so the frog kick simply isn't effective ... it's a gliding kick, and swimming against current requires a constant power stroke to make headway. Flutter kicks are much more effective in current, and people diving in those conditions often prefer a split fin for that reason.

Your choice of fins should really boil down to the style of diving you plan to do, the environment you will be primarily diving in, and your specific physiological needs. Splits are better at some things, and paddles are better at others. You need to decide which trade-offs are most important to you.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[zeN||]

I use Apollo bio fins, they melt onto your feet, very comfy in water, went back to cressi frogs to compare, and they felt like jack boots. Very sweet, even at their $$$. Jetfins definitely suck ~Z

 

[Finhead_Chris]

I own SCUBAPRO Split-Fins and Mares Avanti Quattro Fins.
Almost ended up owning only the Split-Fins quite recently , right DiverBrian?? Hee Hee....

Both the wife and I use the Split Fins when drysuit diving in freshwater, but will switch depending on the type of dive. Prefer the Mares in strong current situationsand for backup use if a buckle breaks or I lose a fin. After using the split fins, the Mares feel like a couple of boards were strapped to my feet for awhile.

Tried the splits out in Cozumel and they just felt weird in
that environment. Wife and I both opted for our paddle fins
at that time. My split fins are sized for use with drysuit boots
and are a little big for wetsuit boots, so I usually pack the
Mares when travelling.


Chris