I took the PADI Divemaster swim test last night and was surprised by them. There are 4 tests- 15 minute float, 400m swim (no gear), 800m snorkel (masks, fins, and snorkel), and a 100m tired diver tow (both in full scuba).
I passed all the tests, but was surprised by how hard the snorkel test was. Because of my time, I only scored a 2 out of 5 points. On the other test, I scored a 5 for the float, and 3's for the other two tests. Does anyone have an idea about an average score? Passing is 12 out of 20 points, I believe.
Did anyone else find that the snorkel was harder? or am I just weak? I consider myself famine resistant, but I think that I'm in decent shape- I run, bike, do yoga, and lift weights when I'm not diving. Part of the problem might be that I usually frog kick and find scissor kicking uncomfortable since I do it so infrequently- it hurts the top of my feet. The other part might be that I was using the Mares Avanti fins, which I think are great paddle fins, but they are pretty stiff for scissor kicking. So during the snorkel, I basically went as fast as I could without cramping. I can't help but wonder if I could have gone faster if I had used split fins or at least fins that aren't as stiff. A friend, who uses split fins, tried the Avanti and he said it was as if someone had strapped two large boards on his feet. I've never used split fins, so I can't make the comparison.
I'm not asking about paddle fins versus split fins. I'm wondering if I am in worse shape that I thought, or did I just use the wrong fins for the job? Did anyone else think that the snorkel test was hard? with paddle fins or split fins?
I passed all the tests, but was surprised by how hard the snorkel test was. Because of my time, I only scored a 2 out of 5 points. On the other test, I scored a 5 for the float, and 3's for the other two tests. Does anyone have an idea about an average score? Passing is 12 out of 20 points, I believe.
Did anyone else find that the snorkel was harder? or am I just weak? I consider myself famine resistant, but I think that I'm in decent shape- I run, bike, do yoga, and lift weights when I'm not diving. Part of the problem might be that I usually frog kick and find scissor kicking uncomfortable since I do it so infrequently- it hurts the top of my feet. The other part might be that I was using the Mares Avanti fins, which I think are great paddle fins, but they are pretty stiff for scissor kicking. So during the snorkel, I basically went as fast as I could without cramping. I can't help but wonder if I could have gone faster if I had used split fins or at least fins that aren't as stiff. A friend, who uses split fins, tried the Avanti and he said it was as if someone had strapped two large boards on his feet. I've never used split fins, so I can't make the comparison.
I'm not asking about paddle fins versus split fins. I'm wondering if I am in worse shape that I thought, or did I just use the wrong fins for the job? Did anyone else think that the snorkel test was hard? with paddle fins or split fins?