Fins adapted for the frog quick

[dstrain]

I've been diving the same set of fins since I started 8 years ago, well pretty much. My first set after certification was a set of split fins which I found to be too floppy, so I promptly returned them and bought a pair of OMS Slipstreams. The OMS fins are basically like the Scubapro jetfins, but I found them to be much lighter. I absolutely love them and they work great for frog kicking, back kicks, helis, etc - which is about all I do since I'm diving lakes 95% of the time.

 

[Crush]

I agree with Jim Lapenta - practice your technique. I used Mares Avanti Quattros and can frog-kick, back-kick, helicopter turn, etc., just fine. I'm not saying that the Quattros are perfect, but they are the only fins that I own and they work fine from my point of view.

 

[RJP]

I see no reason why those fins would not be good for frog kicks and anything associated with them like back kicks...

I find that fins without much of a "sidewall" aren't as good for back kicking as something like Jets or similar, where the side of the fin does as much (or more) of the work than the paddle itself.

 

[boulderjohn]

I find that fins without much of a "sidewall" aren't as good for back kicking as something like Jets or similar, where the side of the fin does as much (or more) of the work than the paddle itself.

I use the Hollis F1s when I want a heavy fin and the Mares Quattro + when I want a light fin. The Hollis F1 is excellent for all kicks, including the back kick. I used to use Jets, but I sold them and cannot use them in the following comparison.

Hollis F1 Sidewall width.
At end of foot pocket: 4.5 cm
15 cm from end of foot pocket: 2.0 cm
Total length of sidewall: 28 cm

Mares Quattro + Sidewall width
At end of foot pocket: 5.0 cm
15 cm from end of foot pocket: 3.3 cm
Total length of sidewall: 32 cm

I have no trouble back kicking or helicopter turning with the Mares fins. I use the sidewalls as the primary propulsion surfaces for those kicks, keeping the blades almost horizontal as I do the kicks. the width of the sidewalls was an important reason for my decision to purchase the quattros for my light weight travel fins.

 

[Bison Ravi]

[video=youtube;8ahQYqho7w4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ahQYqho7w4[/video]


They seem to work pretty well for this guy

 

[Aotus]

the avanti quartos certainly can be used to frog kick:
[video=vimeo;102923923]http://vimeo.com/102923923[/video]

If you're looking for a change, I might be convinced to trade you my Hollis F1s for them if the size is right. I use my diverites, but have been curious about the quatros.

---------- Post added November 14th, 2014 at 04:43 PM ----------

I find that fins without much of a "sidewall" aren't as good for back kicking as something like Jets or similar, where the side of the fin does as much (or more) of the work than the paddle itself.

It's only a problem if you use the side of the fin to sort of scoot back...I prefer using the whole fin and retract my whole legs like a backwards frog kick.