Split fins

[TSandM]

It takes me more concentration and lung control to hover with them

I find this quite odd. When I hover, I don't use my fins, so it doesn't really matter to me what kind I have on, as long as they work with the balance of my equipment. (And I'm not kidding -- I watched myself on video yesterday, and I don't move my fins at all.)

I think splits require far less effort in flutter kicking. My Jets don't like flutter kicking at all, which is fine, because I don't use that kick any more. I can't imagine anybody who primarily uses the flutter kick wanting a stiff paddle fin. On the other hand, the Jets work better for frog kicking and back kicking and helicopter turns, which are the things I use all the time. I can do all those things with splits, but it's inefficient, and ends up sending water places I don't want it to go (especially down).

I think, as with so many other things in diving, which equipment works best for you depends on what you prioritize. If precise maneuvering and leaving the bottom substrate undisturbed are priorities, paddle fins work better. If you prioritize covering ground (eg. spearfishing), a longer, flexible fin will give you more speed. If you primarily dive well above a hard substrate (eg. coral), splits will minimize your kicking effort.

 

[mdb]

The split fin design is based, essentially, on the Bernoulli principle of lift. A leading edge and a proper trailing edge, using the optimum material, creates lift. Less effort, less fatigue, more efficiency:

SPLIT-FINS - AWARDS AND TESTIMONIALS

Older style "paddle fins" act like a duck or a frog foot, more effort, and, in some cases, more control.

Having used many fins, SP Jets, USD blades, Duck feet, Force Fins, and others, it is always a matter or diving style and personal preference.

If you prefer a stiffer fin, used with any kick, the APOLLO XT is a good choice. The original bio-fin in all natural rubber is the most efficient of our current designs.

All that said; still up to the individual diver. Try them all if you get the chance.

I was diving last weekend with a very old pair of Apollo Prestige polyurethane fins. Lots Of "feel" and a good reminder of why I now prefer the XT's. They are way more efficient and good with my old mans wide slow kicks.

 

[L_A_S]

TSandM, what kicks do you generally prefer to flutter, if I may ask? (are there any beside the frog kick?)
I agree for purely hovering I use the fins very little, I rather meant when turning etc with no/little forward movement they are more agile, the motions seem more natural/graceful than with clunky paddles (maybe I should get myself a neoprene tutu). But I agree with everything else in your post.

 

[diver 85]

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?

They look cool next to a pair of the old black rubber things....

 

[scubadada]

Fins don't make the man.... I spend the majority of my time lazing and manuevering around using other than flutter kick. As a former competetive swimmer and water polo player, and currently physically fit individual, when push comes to shove, I can kick ass for short bursts or prolonged periods using my paddle fin of choice.

As Teamcasa said in a prior post: "I contend that a significant amount of your speed is determined by how strong a swimmer/kicker your are, the fin type or style is only a minor part of the equation".

It's hard making a living selling new fins to a bunch of old divers year after year.

Good diving, Craig

 

[TSandM]

TSandM, what kicks do you generally prefer to flutter, if I may ask? (are there any beside the frog kick?)

I frog kick about 90% of the time. I do a little modified frog or modified flutter in close quarters, and I do use my back kick a lot.

I have found that maneuvering in tight quarters or doing very precise turns, the paddle fins are more accurate and more efficient. When I tried doing that kind of stuff in my splits, I felt like a lot of the movement I was making was wasted into the water, and I didn't get the proprioceptive feedback to tell me what I was doing. I don't in any way want to say you can't do that kind of kicking in splits. I could. I just didn't like the way it felt at all.

In a very tight, delicate and high silt environment (as in within wrecks or caves), the paddles just do it. For open water diving, it depends, as I said above. I do sigh sadly, though, when I see Puget Sound divers flutter-kicking vigorously in splits, only a foot or two above a silty bottom, and leaving a dust trail that persists for an hour or more.

 

[firstdive2005]

I was going to pull quotes and add remarks but whats the use, I'll just tell my story,,,
When I started buying gear I did not even know these forums existed. For some things that I have gone through this was fortunate for me and for the lot I have learned I am grateful.
I bought my Tusa Zooms because I was told they would help with my cramps I was getting when playing underwater hockey. O ya I drowned myself with water before playing and ate so many bananas that my weeney went crooked. Man the cramps ended. I kinda stopped eating so many bananas but I did keep up the water intake. O ya I own a roofing company, so just imagine how much climbing I do. Think strong legs and good cardio, ok. They forgot to tell me I would be slower. Hmm didn't get the sense the other side was getting away on me, doh they WHEREN'T. So I start scuba. I was 46.
I get kitted and still have not read any forums or propaganda about gear. I learn to dive. I am taught several styles of kicks. Now I have been snorkeling my whole life so fins aren't new to me. But under water is certainly different. My instructors and friends show me all the kicks to get me around in a wreck, when I want to backup from a wall, so I dont push on coral, turn around without arms. Hmm I learned all this with my TUSA ZOOM SPLIT FINS.
Then it happens my virginity gets popped, I read Scubaboard. I go to gear section to see if I have GOOD GEAR OR NOT. Hm I learn I should have different fins in a cave or wreck because I will silt the sh#t out of the place, how come I didnt do that the last time I was out? O well I better buy some Jets cause they seem to be the cats a## for diving.
I really get confused about people that get angry or have some sort of peeve about what other people like to use when diving. They will put their heated thoughts down to try to make people think they HAVE dive with their type of gear or your some type of moron diver. They think that gear makes a better diver, crap. Faster diver etc. Wow I wish I had not bought the Jets I dont need them, but now I have trained myself with them. I do have more feel with them in tight quarters but I dont have anymore speed or agility only different feeling. If I tried to use them in a current I would be cramped in 5 minutes.
I just fought one of the fastest currents I've ever been in, at Manzanillo at Las Frailles. If you have an issue with current stay away. I used my zooms and my heart rate was quite managable. One diver needed assistance, she just was out of shape for that spot. Had to board the boat and abort her dive, good call.
So for the record I use my Tusa Zoom spilts with pride. kev

 

[SparticleBrane]

TSandM, what kicks do you generally prefer to flutter, if I may ask? (are there any beside the frog kick?)
I agree for purely hovering I use the fins very little, I rather meant when turning etc with no/little forward movement they are more agile, the motions seem more natural/graceful than with clunky paddles (maybe I should get myself a neoprene tutu). But I agree with everything else in your post.

Are you sure? I'm thinking this means that you just haven't conquered your kicks yet, or ever seen someone perform a proper hover or helicopter turn. By your comments talking about how it takes lots of effort to hover with paddle fins, and how they move you forwards when you try to turn, and how they feel like 2x4's attached to your feet, I'm fairly certain you haven't mastered any of the skills we're describing. These videos will help explain what I'm saying.

In this first video I'm doing a helicopter turn using Jets, with double Al80s, 2 Al80 stages and 1 Al40 deco bottle. This was the first time I ever put on 3 tanks (before this, only just used on stage before, rarely. This day we were just playing around in the quarry handing bottles back and forth) so there's a bit of foot movement since I wasn't used to the differences in balance. But I'd say that my helicopter turn is quite agile and natural/graceful, with zero forward movement.





A better clip of hovering/helicopter turns...





Split fins give you zero feedback when you kick because they are so floppy. Their multiple parts and pieces flap around in the breeze and you have no control over them. They are about the most useless things I've ever worn. On the other hand, you can have as much or as little control over paddle fins as you want. It is the difference between driving a Cadillac from the 1950s, and a tightly tuned Ferrari.


With all that being said, split fins have their place. If someone has a knee or leg injury and it truly pains them to wear Jets or other paddle fins, splits may be the answer, simply because they require less effort.

 

[splicer]

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

 

[SparticleBrane]

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.