Finning backward applications?

Please register or login

Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.

Benefits of registering include

  • Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
  • A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
  • You can make this box go away

Joining is quick and easy. Log in or Register now!

I use back finning extensively while teaching in open water. Beginners are learning horizontal trim and frog kicks. Or on an underwater tour. I'm facing them while back finning and motioning them to come towards me as they move forward.
An instructor once joked that their motto should be "we back kick for a living".
 
Back kick to me is about regaining my position in the team formation and other skills like shooting a smb. Very usefull not having to use my hands for repositioning.
 
I think the point was ease in making backwards progress in the water or ergo creating thrust. If you can't do 100 ft or 33yds without heavy strain and fatigue, you have ill suited fins to do a back kick in the first place.

As for my practical applications, I usually do at least 25yds when getting Basic Students to fin laps for the first time. It boosts my ego :D
 
I backed finned probably 20 times diving yesterday, but probably only moved 20 feet... I just had to move a bit to frame a photo or get out of divers way.

100 feet? What gym exercise do you do to let you swim backwards that far without feeling it the next day? I feel like that is a bit of a stretch....
 
I would like to develop this skill. Any good websites that explain how to do it?
 
I would like to develop this skill. Any good websites that explain how to do it?

I don't know exactly where you are, but the best instruction in this area would be at the Scuba Shack, just south of Hartford. Ed Hayes is a GUE instructor and teaches Fundies, in addition to a class of his own called Core Principles(Advanced Buoyancy when I took it). Very much worth the drive, and he's a great instructor. If he could be patient with a train wreck like I was, he can do it for anyone.
 
An instructor once joked that their motto should be "we back kick for a living".

I remember TSandM talking about doing the same thing when she taught.
 

Back
Top Bottom