Swimming(finning?) style

[DaG]

Now when I was doing my open water training, we were only shown one way to swim w/ fins.

Since then, I've prefered to frog kick with my fins, dont know if its less efficient or what, but I find it a lot more comfortable.

That said, what are peoples prefered styles of kicking(finning)?, and why?

 

[jiveturkey]

It depends on what the diving environment is like. In a current, a flutter kick gives more power and is faster. If there's no current, I like the frog kick. It gives you more control and will probably be less likely to cramp your legs. It also depends on you fins too. I don't think the frog kick works too well with split fins.

 

[John C. Ratliff]

Each diver develops their own style of underwater swimming. I have made a study of underwater swimming, and can definately state that the most powerful stroke is the dolphin kick (both feet together, in unison), but that it is also dependent upon the type of fin a person has, their own leg and thigh strength, ankle flexibility and knowledge level.

My feeling is that everyone should be comfortable with the following swimming kicks:

--flutter kick, both face down and face up. It is the most practical stroke for the majority of underwater swimming and diving.

--dolphin kick, at it can accelerate a person very quickly. This can be important in current diving.

--the "frog" kick, which really is not done by divers. It is modified for use with fins, and some call it "finning", but it can keep the feet higher than the body in situations where not kicking up silt on the bottom is important.

The flutter kick on one's back is very relaxing, and should be considered an alternative to snorkel swimming as it conserves energy, uses different muscles, and is faster.

Hope this helps.

SeaRat

 

[DaG]

John C. Ratliff once bubbled...
Each diver develops their own style of underwater swimming. I have made a study of underwater swimming, and can definately state that the most powerful stroke is the dolphin kick (both feet together, in unison), but that it is also dependent upon the type of fin a person has, their own leg and thigh strength, ankle flexibility and knowledge level.

My feeling is that everyone should be comfortable with the following swimming kicks:

--flutter kick, both face down and face up. It is the most practical stroke for the majority of underwater swimming and diving.

--dolphin kick, at it can accelerate a person very quickly. This can be important in current diving.

--the "frog" kick, which really is not done by divers. It is modified for use with fins, and some call it "finning", but it can keep the feet higher than the body in situations where not kicking up silt on the bottom is important.

The flutter kick on one's back is very relaxing, and should be considered an alternative to snorkel swimming as it conserves energy, uses different muscles, and is faster.

Hope this helps.

SeaRat

My main problem with the "conventional" kicks is for some reason my ankles tend to cramp up quite often. I stretch before entering the water and I have quite a high level of physical fitness, but unfortunately my ankles are weak. (Something I'm working on)

I did some research and found this so I might try some of these kicks and see how things go.

 

[MikeFerrara]

These days I think most are only tought the flutter. In addition to the flutter we teach the frog, modified frog, shuffle and modified flutter. Of course you can't do all tis in 20 minutes.

 

[SwimJim]

I flutter kick to the destination then I keep my knees bent and my fins up to avoid stirring up the bottom.

Jim

 

[TwoBitTxn]

I can't dolphin kick to save my life. I have tried to learn it for years. I could never do a proper butterfly stroke on the surface because of it.

I can frog kick just fine in my atomic splits. It has become a preferred kick as my legs and feet don't cramp up. If I have to go to full power I lock the knees and go to a flutter.

My last trip to Coz there was a guy in the group who was an avid bicyclist and thats the way he kicked. I talked to him about it on the surface, I'd swim up to him u/w and wave two fingers at him in a flutter kicking motion. He admitted when he flutter kicked it was lots less engergy and more comfortable, but he would soon drop right back into the bicycle kick.

TwoBit

 

[scubatexastony]

No, not the Navy SEALS, although I have/had several SEAL buddies. I use all kicks, from flutter to frog, but somewhere in the past I developed a kick where the top of the left fin and the bottom of the right fin meet at the end of the kick, sorta like a modified frog with an inverted left fin. (i.e. watch how a seal will swim) works great for me and helps my air consumption.

I know Dee, I'm weird.......but i love ya' man!

tony

 

[mddolson]

I/we teach, flutter, modified flutter, scissor, dolphin, frog (mod frog or wreck) kicks. We also practice single fin (lost fin) exercises.

MikeFerrara bubbled : "In addition to the flutter we teach the frog, modified frog, shuffle......"

Mike what is a shuffle kick, I haven't heard that name?


MikeD
:blfish:

 

[Walter]

Standards require me to teach flutter, frog and dolphin kicks. I also require scissor and sculling kicks. Personally, I rarely use the flutter kick.