BP&W Surface Swim to Vertical

[TheBullfrog]

I just straighten my legs, stop kicking, and let gravity rotate me head up. Alternatively, with one leg (or 2 if you need) pointed vertically down for leverage and hinged at the waist, just contract the glutes & lower back muscles to straighten. I wonder if you have excessive air in the wing?

It seems perhaps that is the case. I look forward to trying out having less air in my wing on the surface. Perhaps even the dry suit isn't purged of all ( or at least as much as possible) air. I do break the neck seal and try to get all the air out after donning the suit.
Thank you for your input!

 

[inquis]

Perhaps even the dry suit isn't purged of all ( or at least as much as possible) air.

I wouldn't worry about that. One thing I like to do before descending is actually add air & stretch out to get the undergarments where they should be. No issue rotating vertical after that, and if anything it could help. Lowering your leg(s) in the water column drives the air to your shoulders.

Ultimately, the bottom half of the tank needs to sink, so I'm very suspicious of a full wing preventing that.

 

[TheBullfrog]

I wouldn't worry about that. One thing I like to do before descending is actually add air & stretch out to get the undergarments where they should be. No issue rotating vertical after that, and if anything it could help. Lowering your leg(s) in the water column drives the air to your shoulders.

Ultimately, the bottom half of the tank needs to sink, so I'm very suspicious of a full wing preventing that.

Very interesting. Great advice. Thank you!

 

[dmaziuk]

Greetings!

So...I've moved to a BP&W, which I love by the way, but I have a newbie question. When surface swimming, once you get to where you're going, how to do maneuver to a vertical position without breaking your back? With a vest, you kind of just pop up into a vertical position. However, of course, the design of the wing does not facilitate this move very well. I find myself rolling on my back, and then ab muscling it vertical. It works, but I feel ridiculous.

Is there a trick to this move with a BP&W?

What happens when you fold at the hips and bend your knees?

 

[TheBullfrog]

What happens when you fold at the hips and bend your knees?

Nothing, until I get my fins down perpendicular and then push back. But it's still not the most comfortable move. And usually one kick doesn't do it. I'm thinking too much air in the wing, which wants to keep me horizontal.

 

[dmaziuk]

Nothing, until I get my fins down perpendicular and then push back. But it's still not the most comfortable move. And usually one kick doesn't do it. I'm thinking too much air in the wing, which wants to keep me horizontal.

Most people are leg-heavy so unless the wing is down around your knees, it shouldn't affect you that much. I don't dive dry but even if I inflate my Hollis 25 to the OPV fart, it still won't break my back to go vertical.