Split fins

[splicer]

Back Surgery. No technique problems. You shouldn't assume when you don't know. Be open to all divers.

 

[FishOutUvH2O]

Back Surgery. No technique problems. You shouldn't assume when you don't know. Be open to all divers.

What is this in reference to?

Never mind, I found it.

Ditto, I had lots of cramping with other fins until I switched to split fins. No cramps.

You either aren't using the fins properly, or you have weak legs. Chances are, it is the former. Get someone to teach you proper kicking technique and if that doesn't do it, start kicking laps...

It wouldn't surprise me if you got craps trying to flutter kick with paddle fins -- while they work for flutter kicking, they are optimal for non-silting kicks such as the frog, modified frog, modified flutter, back, or helicopter turn.

 

[NudeDiver]

I use split fins because they are less efficient, give me less control, are slower, more expensive, and exacerbate my knee problems.

 

[Nudi-K]

I have used split fins for about 2 years after borrowing some from a DM once, and I love them. I recently lent them to an instructor who wanted to try them out and i used some normal paddle ones, i couldnt believe the difference. With my split fins, i hardly need to kick or use much energy and i can manoever really easily but not with the paddle ones, i found these quite awkward to use. The instructor also really liked my split fins after trying them, but he had tried a different brand before which he did not get on with, so i think it is a combination of personal preference and which brand you go for like with any fins. I have Oceanic split fins.

 

[Twistedarts]

Since I grew-up in Navy housing in Coronado, CA (home of Navy SEALs training) my first fins as a kid were Jets and Duckfeet, because they were everywhere and free. I naturally learned that you could really get moving in Jets with a normal, pretty wide, average paced flutter kick. When I learned to SCUBA (not to long ago) I switched to splits (Scubapro Twin Jet Max). What I quickly found-out was that doing a normal flutter kick the same way that I did in the Jets resulted in me exerting a lot of energy and going nowhere fast. I thought that splits were the worst idea ever. I found this hard to believe, so I started experimenting.

What I found was that if I cut the width of my flutter kick in half, maybe even down to as much as one-third, I could really get some power out of these things without really expending a lot of effort. Unfortunately, I also found-out that old habits are hard to break. The moment I would start to fight a heavy current, I would naturally widen my flutter kick. This of course resulted in me going nowhere fast. So the lesson I learned was that splits *can* be a good fin, but you have to experiment with your kicks to find-out which way gives you the best pay-off.

Just to be clear, I'm not taking the position that splits are better than paddles. That's an individual choice that will depend on which type feels the most comfortable to you. I'm also not saying that paddles are better than splits at other types of non-flutter kicks (frog, back, scissor, etc.). Again, I believe that if you're comfortable with whichever type of fin you're using you'll be able to learn to do just about any kick style just fine.

Well said!

 

[Teamcasa]

Splits fins, blades, paddles or even the flipfins? Why does anyone really care what anyone else uses? My wife likes her splits and I use flip fins or blades depending on where I’m diving.

Use any kind of fin that fits your diving style and comfort level, just have fun diving!

 

[NudeDiver]

Splits fins, blades, paddles or even the flipfins? Why does anyone really care what anyone else uses?

I don't think anyone said that they CARE what someone else uses. I know I don't

Discussion on a topic, or berating people for their gear choices doesn't imply that anyone actually cares. It just gives them something to do

 

[AbyssalPlains]

In another post there is a discussion about tech diving and the subject of split fins and other specialized equipment came up. Just what is the advantage and purpose of split fins?

Garrobo - come on. You can do better than that.

 

[Pinepig]

I had knee surgery (meniscus removed) and was having pain when using my Cressi frogs. Someone recommended these to me when I first bought my gear, and I'm not sure they were the right fins for me. Anyway, they were ok, until after I had the surgery, and the pain got worse. I then bought split fins and have never had knee pain since. Glad I read this thread because I can see I need to change/improve my kicking techniques and do bicycle exercises to improve my leg strength.Thanks to the Op for starting it.And a special thanks to Sparticlebrane for the videos on the helicopter turn...granny is gonna perfect that this summer!

I've always used paddles before and after the same knee procedure this last year Roatan SUCKED with paddles, I had to frog kick everywhere or I wouldn't be able to walk later in the day. I picked up some Tusa splits that I'll be trying in about 3 days in Cozumel, I'll post up what i think about the knee pain while I'm there. I'm hoping this will help.

 

[Pinepig]

After a few dives with my Tusa splits ( harder compound ) I must say I'm fairly impressed, my knees don't hurt after diving and they do move you along pretty good. I seem to able to fight the current just as good as anybody else, I also found a modified short stroke frog works REALLY well if you put some force on the outward part of the stroke using mostly your hips. I can really moto right along like that.