tracy, try it on the surface with fins -- if possible, get hold of a set of snorkeling fins that have a short blade. If you have the motion right with bare feet, then you know how to do it -- the fins add a bigger component of controlling the loading phase, and you can work on that on the surface. Once you can swim laps backwards on the surface with fins, THEN try it with full gear. And remember that trim is critical.
... in the milder currents i could actually stop and go back... in the stronger currents i would not stop but only slow... 
