Proper Finning Technique

[jeckyll]

This is a really good article on the subject:
http://www.gue.com/classroom/propulsion/index.shtml

I personally prefer Mares Quattros because they work however you fin, are very powerful and are good for manoevering. Perhaps why they are so widely used by dive pros and tech divers.

Thank you for that link (and a good thread all around, especially from a new diver standpoint).

I've been having some problem with the frog kick, as my right calf seems to want to cramp up very quickly. Hopefully I'm just using wrong technique and will get the hang of it. I must say the little video with the explanation helped, I think I was moving my feet all wrong and it try it again in the next pool session.



Bjorn

 

[piikki]

You people shouldn't provide these links to us insane. Had to go an try the backwards kick. I am sure the sunfish had a fun Sunday. Is it considered improvement that I finally got myself in the position and did not move forwards while doing it?

 

[The Chairman]

If you can: don't kick and use the grab and pull instead. This is not good in ANY reef situation, so use your environment to your advantage. First head INTO the current at the beginning of the dive. Now look for cover that will block the current. This might entail you being quite close to the floor, so a frog kick is best. However, out in the open current, I have found that the flutter kick is best to make some serious headway. Don't forget when diving currents, to use long tag lines when appropriate, and to plan more than one exit.

I'm wondering what kick is the most efficient when you find yourself in a current, say 1 mph. By efficient, I mean speed with the ability to sustain the effort.

Stan

 

[Woland]

Wow! Thanks to all for the wonderful advice! As a new diver, this will be supremely helpful!

Woland

 

[MikeFerrara]

Mike,

I like to teach more than one single kick. If you feel that Phillips are THE most efficient driver had and only stock them in your toolbox, what do you do when you are presented with a slotted fastener? While I prefer the frog kick, I do not see the flutter kick as necessarily "evil". It definitely has it's place! Since it is the EASIEST to learn, and is somewhat natural for most divers, I have no issue with them using what is best for THEM. The flutter kick is no more a bad habit than having a torx bit in your toolbox. Just because you don't use it, does not make it wrong!

I didn't suggest using or teaching only one kick. The flutter kick itself isn't a bad habit. Using it at inappropriate times can be. If anything, it's the flutter kick that's often taught exclusively. Maybe not by you but check out the PADI standards for instance. It's the only kick that's required.

I teach (I should say used to teach because I'm not teaching now) not only the flutter kick but several variations of it which do come in handy in certain situations.

As for folding the hands: no it's not the only way to stop using your hands, but in my experience as an instructor, it has proved to be the most effective. Constant sculling with the hands WILL drive your head upwards exaggerating bad trim. It could not do anything BUT do this and the downward "prop wash" can cause a silt out as bad as roto-tilling. It doesn't matter HOW you stop using your hands, I only suggested folding them as this is easy for divers to monitor themselves.

If folded hands helps someone in practice...fine. My point was simply to explain the mechanics behind what was going on. IMO, understanding those mechanics is the real key to being able to make it work.

I hope that this isn't a call to Scuba elitism: where "real" divers use only a frog kick and maintain a horizontal attitude during the entire dive. Diving is far broader than just one discipline and there are as many techniques employed as there are divers in the water. It's important that we don't vilify techniques "just because" we don't use them. It's far more important that we concentrate on the real villains of finning, which would be attitude, trim, weighting, buoyancy control and the use of hands.

Absolutely NOT. It's mostly just information but if anything else, it's a call away from the scuba elitism (ignorance might be a better word) that only teaches a wide sweeping flutter and totally fails to teach the mechanics of buoyancy control, trim and movement in the water. Again, I'm not saying that you do this but read the posts of some of these other folks. Many of them were taught just that way and examining the training standards of some agencies you'll see why.

Second thought: If you think that your frog kick is stronger/faster than your flutter than please time yourself to be sure. When the fat hits the fan and speed is of the utmost importance, it's best to KNOW which is really faster and not rely on which you HOPE is faster.

What kind of "fat hitting the fan" come to mind? It might be worth getting more specific. I've had to move very fast for very short dustances but never over long distances unless I was taking a test or something. For me personally I do know what get's me further faster over both short and long distances. Many people dive way too fast as it is though.

 

[ScooterCPW]

Hey Woland
I would say that when you get used to it frog kick is way better than flutter because it doesn't take as much exertion and it doesn't stir up nearly as much silt. Also you said that your feet hurt after strenuous kicking, that is pretty normal, I would just say to take it easy because working too hard makes your gas consumption go down the tubes anyway. A nice relaxed frog kick should eliminate cramps and stirred up silt. Besides what are you hurrying for anyway, relax enjoy the dive . As far as technique, everyone is built a little different, dont focus on what works for other people just do the kick and do what comes natural for your body.
Chris

 

[Michael Schlink]

Frog certainly has it's place but it's not the ultimate kick that many like to make it. The best "kick" to use is the one most appropriate for the circumstance and environment. Being able to utilize a variety of kicks and knowing which is most effective and appropriate is the key to proper finning techniques. Frog, mod. frog, shuffle, mod. flutter, flutter, back kick... learn 'em all, use 'em all.

 

[Bobbin-along]

NetDoc,

Excellent game idea, we will try it out this afternoon with the advanced class. I will make one small addition. No points for burping the dry suit since you have to move the arm (and ultimately the hand) to get the valve to dump.

And we've decided the next dive club shirts will read:

"Flutter kicks aren't dangerous, only people who don't flutter properly are dangerous"

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Jandee]

I alway frog kick if I'm real close to the bottom, inside a wreck, or have divers behind me. I don't want to kick up silt. Other times I flutter kick. I see so much tiny incredible stuff underwater because I'm not the fastest, I take my time. Remember diving is not a race.