Which fins are good for strong currents

[johndiver999]

Actually, what she is doing may be best for "bang per buck" ratio, but against a current that only works if the current doesn't have that much bang.

I'm not sure I understand your comment. Are you saying she would need a different kick in a current or that those long fins wouldn't work in a current or are you making some other point?

That was probably a very easy diver for her and it didn't look like she was anywhere near 100 feet deep on that dive. I'm sure she could do a much more aggressive dive if she wanted.

 

[dmaziuk]

I'm not sure I understand your comment. Are you saying she would need a different kick in a current or that those long fins wouldn't work in a current or are you making some other point?

Swimming 101: wide kick creates extra drag and that makes it less efficient than small-amplitude flutter. As long as you get enough power from a long wide kick, great, more power to you.

 

[charlier]

Although I am a recreational freediver, I try to fin without too much bending at the knees and relying on my quads. I rarely use such a wide kick, as shown in the video - unless I want to move fast. During dynamic apnea pool sessions, free divers were more streamlined and did not overly bend their knees. In contrast, while hovering with scuba gear, I commonly bend my knees and try to keep my

 

[johndiver999]

Swimming 101: wide kick creates extra drag and that makes it less efficient than small-amplitude flutter. As long as you get enough power from a long wide kick, great, more power to you.

Thanks, she is a very accomplished freediver who holds/held world records. It would be surprising to me that she was not using the most efficient kick with those fins. But I'm not an expert.

So your point isn't that the fins she was using are inefficient, but rather that the way she was kicking them was inefficient.

Thanks for explaining your point to me.

I think you could find thousands of accomplished freedivers who use a similar slow, large amplitude kick but I haven't seen many (any ?) using a short amplitude rapid kick while performing a challenging dive. Are all the freedivers doing it wrong and wasting air and energy?

 

[chillyinCanada]

I don't think too many free divers are trying to dive against a current but I could be wrong about that.

I don't have free dive fins. I've found for myself, that I get better results with a shorter quick flutter. That said, I still generally use a frog kick when trying to position myself to best to slip within/against the current. Of course, I prefer to go with the current but that is not always possible.

 

[dmaziuk]

Thanks, she is a very accomplished freediver who holds/held world records. It would be surprising to me that she was not using the most efficient kick with those fins.

Why? I hardly ever use the most efficient kick when I'm scuba diving. But then I'm usually not trying to kick against strong current, as OP specified. Or "leisurely cruise at 5 knots" like @REVAN. Search for his videos around here, see what kick he's using, if you're interested in efficient propulsion.

 

[scubadada]

I don't think too many free divers are trying to dive against a current but I could be wrong about that.

I don't have free dive fins. I've found for myself, that I get better results with a shorter quick flutter. That said, I still generally use a frog kick when trying to position myself to best to slip within/against the current. Of course, I prefer to go with the current but that is not always possible.

I spend the majority of my time frog kicking. However, with a very brisk current, I find a continuous wide flutter works better for me to hold position or make headway. I think it is the continuous propulsion that helps. With frog kick, even a fast one, there is a discontinuity of propulsion.

 

[Neal Yang]

Couple caveats on freediving find. They are very long and hard so you need to me more aware of where you are kicking. Also they are a pain to travel with.

I dive full foot Gull Supermew which is flexible, about 65cm and effective for currents. If you want open heel fins, I have been recommended the Mares X-Stream. Did not press for why.