Split fins

[danvolker]

Are you implying that nobody wearing paddle fins has ever needed to be rescued?

LOL...As I have been on plenty of charter boats, yes, there are plenty of new divers with paddle fins that need to be rescued--many probably needed rescues in their pool dives....
I was talking about divers I ( and others) had seen for years with paddle fins like Quatros or similar, who then switched to splits....

 

[Garrobo]

tridacna::OK, lets talk about FFs. I originally used them to take the cramps out of my calf muscles. I've got a couple other sets, non-splits, which I can use now but I like the FFs better. More thrust and they put all the pressure on the thigh muscles. Plus they looks so cool. Not.

 

[danvolker]

I might disagree with this. There are LOTS of studies, some even by independent folks who don't have an interest in the outcome, showing that many splits are faster than most paddles. You can search the forums if you like. Splits do tend to like a modified flutter, with smaller kicking strokes. This smaller stroke, which is easily accomplished by bending more at the knees and less at the hips, along with split fins' lower resistance, allows a high kick frequency, but with much less total energy output per kick cycle. So, it is not likely that the user will run out of aerobic capacity just because he/she is kicking more rapidly. Different efforts, different muscles, etc.

I am just talking about freedive fins as more efficient...and the point I made about Jets relates more to cave or shipwreck penetration, for the extreme control they have....and yes, there are plenty of low tech paddle fins, but on the many charter boats I have gone out on over the years, paddle fin wearing divers on average, are better when trying to beat a current than split fin wearing divers.

As for current, it's a non-issue. If the diver can go faster in static water, he/she can go faster in current. The fins don't see, care or notice the fact that the water is moving relative to the bottom, only that the diver is moving relative to the water. I used to worry about this current thing as well, but 2 years ago, someone on this board set me straight. I modified my kicking technique, and problem solved.

Current IS an issue. There are many situations, even on a drift dive ( where the plan is to go WITH THE CURRENT) , where a diver or buddy team may have to swim upcurrent for a few minutes....When this happens, the speed potential of the fin comes into play, as well as how well it handles side currents. Normally, when I talk about how much faster Freediving fins are than traditional fins, or split fins, split fin lovers come back saying that diving is not a race....But again, if you have to increase your kick cycle to far beyond the leg speed you are capable of, you will fail to beat the current. I can honestly say that I have NEVER found a current that I could not beat in South florida ( WITH FREEDIVE FINS) ....

As for another poster saying he rescues lot of people in splits, that's just silly. The fins don't cause divers to need rescuing. What, people with paddles don't need rescuing ever?

I think it is actually possible that the population of divers that has been attracted to splits ( by the marketing hype) have lower leg stregth or lower fitness in common--this has led them to look for an "easier" fin to kick, a desire that does not even exist in "other" diving populations. But I also think that the smaller gear issue is true---and it is definitely true if you compare the splits to a freedive fin.....

Some anecdotal evidence. My brother is 7 years younger and in a whole lot better shape than I am. He's about 50 pounds lighter and runs 10k's (or longer) somewhat regularly. I do bicycle a bit for fitness, but I can't hold a candle to him. He, however, uses paddles. Sorry, I forgot which ones. I can swim away from him with my bio-fins if I want, regardless of current. We use the same tanks and same bc's, so there isn't much difference in streamlining. In fact, with my extra bulk, I am probably creating more drag.

First, cyclig is better for developing the muscles needed for kicking fins than running is. And if he is using stiff paddle type fins, he may be trashing his "running oriented" leg muscles, without leveraging his excellent cardiovascular fitness...You may in fact, have a nice advantage over him, in that you get to use your cardio fitness enough to prevent trashing your leg muscles....and the bike may have given you better conditioning for the fins, even with your lower cardivascular fitness ( compared to him).

Dead horse time again..... If you put on freediving fins, and learned how to use them, then you would run away from him even faster in a forced, upcurrent swim.


Sorry Mike, this fin issue is a pet peeve of mine, and has been for many years....I have about 6 pairs of freedivng fins on my boat, and anyone from scubaboard who evers comes out to dive with me, is welcome to try them ... ( Boyton Beach or Juno/Jupiter diving)


Regards,
Dan Volker

 

[diverrick]

It is much harder to back up with splits, compared to blades IMHO.
Tried both, I agree splits suck in current. It's almost like not having fins at all, but then again, they take less effort to swim with in calm waters. much more "fluid" feeling.
I think it all comes down to what kind of diving your doing that particular day. Choose your fins respectively

 

[dumpsterDiver]

I pretty much agree with everything Dan said, except I've got very little experience with split fins. I have a lot with jet fins though, I've found that jet fins are EXTREMELY fast if you use a tiny little flutter kick. However, the FF freedive fins are noticably more efficient and allow me to maintain a higher, more comfortable and sustainable "crusing" speed. If you have decent leg strength and you are going to be swimming, the long fins are worth all the hassle on the boat.

 

[tridacna]

tridacna::OK, lets talk about FFs. I originally used them to take the cramps out of my calf muscles. I've got a couple other sets, non-splits, which I can use now but I like the FFs better. More thrust and they put all the pressure on the thigh muscles. Plus they looks so cool. Not.

Hey! That's my story! I have FF Pros and Extra Force. No more cramps. Those Apollo splits hang in my garage.

 

[redrover]

For me the advantage of a Split Fin is sacrificing the maximum power or thrust and precision obtainable with a fin, in order to use any at all and/or able to walk after removing them. A knee joint bone on bone is a level of pain I simply cannot just ignore, I’ve tried.
If all humans were stamped from the same mold using the same materials, at the same time and experienced exactly the same injuries (same conformation, age, physical structure, condition and life experiences) – there would probably be one best fin for everyone.

 

[TMHeimer]

I won a pair, so I use them because they were free. And they're red.

Can't believe it. I, too won a pair, and they also were red! I THINK they make me go faster.....

 

[SparticleBrane]

Why would you want to go faster? Did diving become a competitive sport without my knowledge?

 

[L_A_S]

I think it comes down to the application. I really like the apollo bio splits i've been using for over a year for open ocean and lakes, but i'd wear my old paddles (4 years use) for wreck penetration.

I find the splits to be more powerful with both acceleration and sustained speed (which of course is usually not necessary) but the greater advantage is they are much smoother when hovering in one spot/turning on a dime. Their drawback is their likeliness to stir up silt so good buoyancy control and minding your kicks is necessary, but it's not as bad as it sounds. I'd choose them for most leisure dives (observing reefs, wrecks, quick swim-throughs etc) and "work" dives (teaching, recovering). I haven't had to fight a hard current yet (and if I plan it right I shouldn't have to), but they performed equally well in easy/moderate currents.

I play soccer and do triathlons so leg strength/cramps have never been an issue, but IMO the paddles require more work and therefore more air. It takes me more concentration and lung control to hover with them, and when swimming long distances they feel like 2x4s strapped to my feet. But mine are low end, and maybe higher quality ones don't have that problem. They are better for varying kicking styles (frog), not sure if that's of value, it isn't to me. Still, I only use mine in caverns or wrecks.

It really is a personal preference thing, same as spit or defog. I definitely see the DIR logic when applied to caves, but I prefer splits in open water.