Finally got the back kick today; thanks for all the great tips.

[divad]

Ok, it was only in a pool with fins, mask, and a snorkel, but it's better than not being able to do it at all. I hadn't realized how much anticipatory anxiousness (resulting in spasmosis) not being able to do a thing was causing me. So, using the snorkel for bio-feedback, I slowed down my breathing while holding on to the side of the pool, stopped being a spaz, got in the zone, let go of the pool (and everything else in the world), and there it was. All the tips and descriptions were invaluable so I would like to add one more; stop being a spaz.



Thanks again,
Old Dog/New Trick

 

[Mayor]

Good for you!!!

At the end of every dive I try and practice it. To date I still look like a dog humping someones leg. I even did some dry land runs with a few DIR guys.

I will get it but till then my buddies will have some fun at my expense.

 

[TSandM]

Congratulations! Now, if you want my advice, keep at this in the pool until you can swim laps backwards, and then you'll find, when you go underwater, you have a reliable back kick. My husband got it that way, far faster than I did by trying to do it while diving.

 

[kathydee]

Congratulations! That's awesome! Good to know the effort pays off!

A DIR guy showed me the back kick a few weeks ago. My first try was a bit of a disaster. Since then I've been kinda working on it but so far my attempts are incredibly laughable - which trust me - has lead to a partially flooded mask once or twice!

Only came close to feeling the movement one time when there was a nice current pushing me backwards ! But your sucess is encouraging - so think I'll try harder!

Keep up the good work!

BTW, if you have a link to those helpful tips - I'd appreciate it. Will take a spin on this forum and see what I find.

 

[eelpout]

After diving for more that 25 years, I was introduced to the GUE program 8 years ago. One of the biggest challenges I had was the kicks. What I found is its is essential that you get your trim down first (proper leg, torso, head position) and then work on the kicks. As your proper trim get to become your natural position in the water, your kicks will become easier to come by.

It took me more than a year to get my body to perform my kicks correctly when I needed them. It would take me a coupel of seconds to get in the proper trim and then start my kicks. If you are already diving in the proper trim all the time then switching kicks gooes smoother.

I also need to practice my kicks. I make it a point to practice my kick everytime I am in the water. It is part of my post "S-drill" prep work. So if you see a guy kicking backwards on a reef, it might be me in "practice" mode

Jim

 

[Rick Inman]

Yeah, doing it in the pool with NO fins really hellped me.

 

[lowridersvt]

Congrats That seems to be the killer skill that nobody can master off the get go.

Took me about 6 months to get it down . I had learned it wil doubles and a stage on so using to pool would of made sense

 

[b1gcountry]

Learning it in split fins really helped me. Once you can manage backwards movement in split fins, moving over to Jets just feels like a no brainer.

Tom

PS, I do not recommend this approach, it's just the way I came upon it.

 

[divad]

Congratulations! Now, if you want my advice, keep at this in the pool until you can swim laps backwards, and then you'll find, when you go underwater, you have a reliable back kick. My husband got it that way, far faster than I did by trying to do it while diving.

That's the plan. I think it will transpose to scuba. I read about your husband. "Reliable" is the key word.

 

[divad]

Good for you!!!

At the end of every dive I try and practice it. To date I still look like a dog humping someones leg. I even did some dry land runs with a few DIR guys.

I will get it but till then my buddies will have some fun at my expense.

And they will probably live longer from all the laughing. Don't start a tontine with them.