Fins for a 1000 yard timed swim??

[dylanesque25]

Hi everyone,
I'm having a big problem and I'm hoping someone can help. I'm nearly done with navy dive school and I've already made it through the hard part (the underwater hits...you may have heard of it). I am however, having a great deal of trouble with the 1000yd bay swim I am required to complete. I have to remain on my back, arms crossed and arms back, and finish in 22mins. The rocket fins they give us are killing my ankles and stop me from kicking very fast. I've been to a few dive shops looking for fins and am getting different reccomendations. Anyone have any reccomendations on type of fins or even kicking techniques that may be able to help me out? thanks for your help!

 

[SteveAD]

Just about any split fins are going to be much easier on your legs and ankles than the rockets. I use scubapro twin jets.

 

[cldomson1]

the fastest split fins are the Atomic Aquatics Smoke on the Water...try them.

 

[nereas]

Hi everyone,
I'm having a big problem and I'm hoping someone can help. I'm nearly done with navy dive school and I've already made it through the hard part (the underwater hits...you may have heard of it). I am however, having a great deal of trouble with the 1000yd bay swim I am required to complete. I have to remain on my back, arms crossed and arms back, and finish in 22mins. The rocket fins they give us are killing my ankles and stop me from kicking very fast. I've been to a few dive shops looking for fins and am getting different reccomendations. Anyone have any reccomendations on type of fins or even kicking techniques that may be able to help me out? thanks for your help!

This is a combat exercise, and if you ever need to do it for real, it would be with your regular G/I-issue military fins.

I suggest you get used to the fins. Simply because: you are not going to have access to freediver-type modified retail fins available to you. They don't fit well into a combat haversack, and they break easy.

If things ever hit the fan, you are going to need to swim a whole lot further than 1000 yds to get into waters deep enough for a modern Unterwasserboot to extract you.

And if you cannot do the swim, you are in the wrong job.

 

[SteveAD]

This is a combat exercise, and if you ever need to do it for real, it would be with your regular G/I-issue military fins.

I suggest you get used to the fins. Simply because you are not going to have access to freediver-type modified retail fins available to you. They don't fit well into a combat haversack.

Afraid I have to call BS on this one. Most units allow their operators significant latitude terms of selection of personal equipment. If a SEAL can choose to take an H&K pistol into combat instead of the issued POS beretta, no one is going to sweat his choice of fins.

When one does not know of what one speaks, ones mouth is best used for chewing.

 

[nereas]

I would like to see how you are going to fit long plastic fins into a short haversack?

Like I said, get used to the G/I-issue.

 

[DiveBZ]

My brother is 7 years deep in Navy diving and wears Atomic Splits - hence why I chose to buy them.

 

[JKPAO]

Dylan, Have you tried force fins? Several people I have talked to use them just for that reason, the ease on thier joints and legs.
I like mine, they fit both of my dry suits and wet suits are no problem. I never had problem with cramps or sore joints, I just was given a chance to try them and I now own two pair.
Of course they are an aquired taste? Many will po po them because of "this" or they are not "that", all I can say is give them a try if you can John
See you topside

 

[dylanesque25]

Thanks for all the replies so far. I have been in the military for quite a while and I am allowed to use whatever gear I choose to so that will not be a problem. A few local dive shops reccomends the mares volo power fins. The instructor says they don't move enough water. I'm going to try a loner pair tomorrow and see what i think. Any advice?

 

[shotthebreeze]

Apollo Bio fins won't kill your ankles...or your knees...or your air consumption. Get a pair in black and you'll fit right in...