What's wrong with Split Fins??

[DeepBound]

ROTFLMAO I figure a diver with the rumoured skill that you have should have been able to do so with no problems, I guess the rumours are not as accurate as they seemed to be.

If you took that free DIRF course that was offered to you this would have been solved.

Tom, did you hear a rumour that I'm a skilled diver? That's always nice to hear.

Hey Tom, i just looked at all of your posts, and every post you make is a snide response to something I post. Are you stalking me? :shakehead

 

[jaimela]

There's nothing wrong with split fins, but if you want the best of both worlds you can get full fins with vents. They work like split fins but couldn't be designed that way because of existing patents. I know Aeris makes some, other manufacturers prob do too.

 

[laughingsquid]

Basicly, they're great for flutter kicking, and poor for many other types of kicking like helicopter and frog kicking. The same things that make them great for efficient flutter kick propulsion also make them great for stirring up the bottom and "rototilling", which dramatically reduces visibility. There are those who swear by them, but many others who swear at them. Not all paddle (non-split) fins are created equal, but there are several that allow good performance with a variety of kicking styles, including those designed for precise movement control and avoiding stirring up silt.

For what it's worth, your fins should have nothing at all to do with keeping you afloat. If you have to kick to stay off the bottom, you're probably not weighted properly, and because you're directing your thrust at a downward angle to move forward, you're wasting energy are almost certainly ruining the visibility for anyone behind you. Good technique and experience will correct that. Split fins will not.

I use a pair of Scubapro Twin jet max fins and can easily frog, back kick and perform helicopter turns just like with my jets. The jets do however have a slight edge in performance. But the new twin jet max fins are a stiffer compound and the foot pocket encompasses your entire foot giving you leverage.

When I get a chance I'll produce a vid demo.

 

[Stained91109]

You may want to try force fins... I like them!

 

[Papa_Bear]

They're split! :no

 

[Zoomer]

To the OP... here is a link to start your research Fins - Scuba Diving Magazine

Check them out, decide on a few different styles and go try them out (demo) if you can.

Fins are really a personal preference....

 

[anzac65]

Very good question.....Split fins release energy put into the fin that can not be imparted to propulsion......

Thanks for a very well thought out and helpful post Bobby, but I have to say that the above statement is not true. If you tried to explain it to the engineer that designed them, you'd fail.

 

[MBH]

They're split! :no

Well... we finally agree on something!

 

[Papa_Bear]

Asking a magazine to fairly rate their advertisers products is like asking Algore to predict the weather! Always going to be warmer!

 

[Teamcasa]

Who cares? If you like your fins, groovy. My wife loves her Atomic Splits and I like my Cressi Reactions and my Omega Flip fins. I find it funny people slam other peoples gear preferences. I guess it is just human nature to tell others their gear sucks and your gear is the better.