Stiff Bladed Fins

[mikemikethepike]

I have been using split fins and I have tried using a pair of AL Rockets a coupel of times now. The problem is that when I have a really hard time maintining horizontal trim then I use the Rockets.

When I flutter kick using the Rockets I tend to "node dive" on the down stroke. When I frog kick, I have a tendency to roll one directrion or another when bringing the fins back together.

I do not seem to have a problem during hte "power stroke" of these kicks and I certainly do not have these problems using my split fins. My normal split fins are SP Twin Jets.

Should I just "suck it up" and let my bouyancy/trim suffer while learning new muscle memory with the stiff fins, or is there a "intermediate" fin what may not be so devestating to my trim?

Maybe I should try surface swimming the rockets at a lake so that bouyancy is not involved while using splits when I dive (until I am more comfortable with a stiff blade).

I imagine you guys are all really comfortable with the stiff bladed fins, but maybe at least afew of you were once in the position I find myself in now.

 

[Hyper-limits]

I have been using split fins and I have tried using a pair of AL Rockets a coupel of times now. The problem is that when I have a really hard time maintining horizontal trim then I use the Rockets.

It sounds to me that all you need is more practice, don't forget that whenever you change a piece of equipment it will take longer than a couple of time to get use to it.

Al

 

[rjack321]

Your descriptions suggest you are working really really hard try to just fly along at warp speed. Try going for a lesiurely dive with someone experienced who can look at what you're doing and give you some feedback. Alternatively maybe post a video. GUE Fundementals and similar non-GUE classes in your area would also help accelerate your learning curve vs. just "sucking it up"

 

[The Kraken]

I started to post a "Thank You", Rjack, but I elected to post instead.

Thank you.

What's the rush? The resistance of water can't be over come in the grand scheme of things.

So often we read posters questions about "Which is the faster fin?"

So, you innaraceasumthin ???

Stop and smell the roses, better still, stop and find the nudi-branches.

Changes in different pieces of equipment will, more often than not, create changes in the specific gravity (inherent buoyancy) of the piece of equipment changed. This, of course, will result in changes in the CG (center of gravity) of your body and will, therefore, require that you make other changes in order to offset the change made by changing equipment.

OOOOOHHHHHH, "I'm Changing" that's make a great song, wouldn't it???

Nevermind, "Marmalade" already did it . . . alas (Reflections in my Life)

the K

 

[beanojones]

Do you have to use Jet Fins for the GUE fundamentals course?

 

[serrada]

Number one it sounds like you need to give them a chance and keep diving with them.

Next, do you happen to be using a weighted back-plate and wing set up? Once you get your torso balanced the fins are the easy part.

With practice while diving the weight of the fins actually help you continuously repositioning weight by moving your feet further and closer to you. (I’m not suggesting you need to always be repositioning your feet, but one you get the hang of it, you can make incremental adjustments as needed while diving)

You should be able to bring your feet in towards your butt and that will bring your upper body trim slightly down. By extending your legs away from you butt that will bring your upper body trim slightly up. I was taught to practice this balancing my stomach as the fulcrum point on the edge of my couch.

Lastly, you could opt for more neutrally buoyant fins like the OMS Split Stream or the Mares Avanti Quattro, but I think you probably just need more practice. Good Luck

 

[serrada]

Do you have to use Jet Fins for the GUE fundamentals course?

No, but the back kick is easier to do with them.

 

[b1gcountry]

The exact GUE requirement is rigid, non-split fins. Jet style fins are commonly used, but not mandatory.

I switched over to Jetfins from splitfins, and it really felt weird the first few dives I did with them. The first pair I tried were Turtles, and those were too wide for me. The frog kick in my split fins evolved quite differently than I do it now. When I put on the Turtles and tried to make the same movement, it felt wrong. When I switched to XL Jetfins, they were too small, and I also had problems. Now I am used to the movement, and I got some XXL Slipstreams, which happen to fit my drysuit boot very well, and I am happy with them.

Someone pointed out to me once that with a good frog kick, you have a built-in glide where you aren't moving. If you're streamlined, and neutral, you should get a good, smooth coast after each kick. If you are a little heavy or buoyant, or if your balance is off underwater, you won't get that nice clean coast, and you will feel like you want to sink, float, or flip over. Sometimes you need to re-distribute weight, but most of the time, you just need to get in the water, and dive more to get used to it. One thing that my instructor stressed was to keep my fins flat in the water. In other words, have the bottom surface of my fin be parallel to the water surface. If your toes are pointed up, or if your ankles are rotated sideways, they don't provide as much resistance to the water, and you aren't as stable. Tell your buddy to watch out for this, and have him signal you when your fins are not flat.

Tom

 

[DIR-Atlanta]

When I flutter kick using the Rockets I tend to "node dive" on the down stroke. When I frog kick, I have a tendency to roll one directrion or another when bringing the fins back together.

Just from your description, I suspect that the culprit may be body position rather than fins.

In the case of your flutter kick, it sounds like maybe you are doing more of a traditional flutter kick, while at the same time not arching your back properly. This would be more likely to force you into a head down position on each downstroke. Make sure your back is arched and your feet are up. If done properly, the modified flutter will direct most of the fin wash straight back, which tends to push you forward, not down. Note that on mod flutter, there is no real "up stroke" like you have with a traditional flutter kick. The fins are actually drawn forward in a "flat" position, and then the ankle is extended to sort of "flick" the fins back for thrust. This is a very different motion from what you are probably used to, and may take some practice to develop proficiency.

On the frog kick, I suspect it may be an issue of a poorly adjusted BC. You didn't indicate in your post, but are you using a traditional jacket style? Those are much more prone to rolling than BP/W. If you are using a backplate, then make sure it is properly adjusted - most people start out with their harnesses too loose, which leads to a certain amount of unnecessary slop. Tightening things up should help with that.

The previous suggestion about videotaping your kicks and getting a more knowledgeable person to critique you is also good. It's much harder to diagnose problems based on a verbal description. Most people have no clear idea of what they are actually doing with the legs and feet, so visual feedback is critical to making improvements.

 

[beanojones]

The exact GUE requirement is rigid, non-split fins. Jet style fins are commonly used, but not mandatory.

I am trying to suss this out, but I cannot.

What fins are there that are rigid except Jet Fins and the many clones?

And would the USD Rocket II fins which are floppy-ish, but jet fin shaped count?