Split fins?

[jvevea]

I agree with Merxlin, but sometimes scrutinizing the experience of others can help too. So I'll tell you about my experience. My first fins were Oceanic split fins. I loved them. I'm an older diver, in generally OK physical shape, but overweight. I am emphatically not a strong swimmer. When I did my divemaster class, I triple lapped the other candidates who were all at least twenty years younger than me on the 800-yard fins-mask-snorkel swim. I was using my splits, they were using paddle fins.

Then I got into doubles, and found that I was having trouble making headway against any kind of current with my splits. Furthermore, I couldn't do the fancier kicks I was trying to learn. One day, I lost a fin over the side of a San Diego dive boat. So I replaced the splits with Jet fins. Stiff as a board, heavy, and absolutely the best thing in the world for moving a lot of gear through active water.

For the type of diving I do now, I would never go back to the splits. On the other hand, if in some version of Hell I had to do another timed 800-yard swim without 100+ pounds of gear, I'd grab the splits without a second thought.

So, as others have said, it really depends on what type of diving you will be doing. (Also to some degree on your leg strength; people I've talked to who don't like the Jets say that they find them too tiring.)

Hope this helps.

Try them. If you like them, buy em and use em. If not, buy blades. Or join the ranks of us who have both. They work and feel differently for everyone that uses them, and all the debate is just personal opinion. The only one that counts is yours.



I forgot option 2- read and argue about them ad naseum here on Scubaboard, then go to the above.

 

[elmer fudd]

I've got blade fins myself, my two regular dive buddies have splits. Two of us have about the same SAC rate and one of my buddies just sips air. We're all able to get where we're going at about the same speed. The one thing I do notice about splits though is that they do stir up a lot more silt than blades.

Personally, I don't think it really makes a lot of difference which one you use.

 

[BarrelRoll]

If you wear split fins and a poodle jacket you will die from Air2 exposure.

Just sayin.

 

[Scubagolf]

My 2 cents. I have been diving a pair of full foot splits for eight years on my warm water wuss diving. Not the fastest fins, but I'm never in a big hurry. I also have a pair of paddles that I use in California. My impression is that the paddles are faster, but the splits are for good for slow touring and cut down on calve cramping.

 

[rongoodman]

The one thing I do notice about splits though is that they do stir up a lot more silt than blades.

Personally, I don't think it really makes a lot of difference which one you use.

It looks to me like it makes a lot of difference.

 

[elmer fudd]

I suppose it does if you're a serious cave or wreck diver. For most other recreational diving though I don't think it's that big an issue. A decent diver using splits can manage not to stir things up too badly in most situations.

 

[Web Monkey]

Okay, so I've read the verbal warfare between the pro-split-fin crowd and the anti-split-finners. But what is the real story here? I've never used split fins so I don't know jack about them. What are they for and why the argument about them?

This is not a troll, I am honestly curious about all the hubbub.

It depends entirely on you.

Splits are softer and easier on muscles and joints, making them great for people with bad joints. OTOH, being soft makes back kicks more difficult.

Rigid fins are easier for back-kicks, but some people are unable to use them because of joint problems.

I use splits because I have some arthritis in my ankle from repeated injuries, and rigid fins will put me on crutches for a few days after the dive, while splits let me walk right out of the water with no issues.

Your mileage may vary, void where prohibited, some assembly required.

Good split fins can easily run $200 and more, so your best bet would be to stop by your friendly local SCUBA shop and try a pair of each in the pool and decide which you like.

Terry

 

[diver_doug]

Okay, so I've read the verbal warfare between the pro-split-fin crowd and the anti-split-finners. But what is the real story here? I've never used split fins so I don't know jack about them. What are they for and why the argument about them?

This is not a troll, I am honestly curious about all the hubbub.

The verbal warfare IS the real story. Some people love them for reasons 1,2,3. Some hate them for reasons x,y,z. And some don't give a # u,c,k There honestly isn't a "real" story...if there was then the warfare wouldn't exist. I would say the only things everyone will agree on is that they are easier to kick, they're expensive, and they have a split down the middle-but that's not very helpful info.

 

[diver_doug]

For the type of diving I do now, I would never go back to the splits. On the other hand, if in some version of Hell I had to do another timed 800-yard swim without 100+ pounds of gear, I'd grab the splits without a second thought.

If you were in hell, you'd swim against a current for 5000 yards (and there's a current in both directions. How? It's Hell!) in 100 degree water with a stubby j-snorkel while wearing a 7mm wetsuit/vest/hood/gloves, 200 pounds of gear, and a popsicle stick hot-glued to the bottom of each foot. And you have to swim using the butterfly technique. Then all you end up with (if you complete the task) is a Padi OW card with your name spelled wrong. And your driver's license picture on it. (or something along these lines)

 

[pjones]

This is my take on the subject. It is based on logic and not scientific studies or data...

Every model fin has a different rigidity. As you kick the fin bends and pushes water following the laws of physics based on the principle of "Every action has an equal and opposite reaction". I have a theory that the thrust provided is at its most when the fin is kicked with enough force to bend it to a 45 degrease angle. People with a stronger kick require a stronger fin so they don't end up "folding" (bending the fin beyond the 45 degrease) the fin when attempting to use full force or push a large mass through the water. People with a softer kick or medical issues that require them to have minimal resistance require a softer fin so they can achieve the most efficient kick when they kick at their max (although less) force. A strong diver would fold a soft fin when they get into a high thrust requiring situation whereas a weak kicker would cramp up and fatigue with a hard fin.

So this theory means that:
(1) paddle fin will be able to have more force applied to it therefor getting more thrust from it. this may cause cramps in untrained legs though.
(2) A split fin or soft blade fin will bend to the most efficient angle with less power applied to the fin giving more thrust from a lighter kick however will not be capable of delivering the same (high) amount of thrust that a paddle can deliver.

They both have their benefits and disadvantages so there is no "ONE" fin that is right for everybody because everyones needs vary so much from one another.

Because of the soft and thin blades of a split fin I have noticed that they can have some difficulty at times when they are cutting through the water in between thrust kicks during the frog kick. In particular I find that the fins twist and cause drag during while it slices through the water. I don't think this is a big deal in the whole scheme of things. I have seen them preform back kicks however the owner of the splits said that it took a long time to learn how to preform that kick with their splits.

The bottom line is simple. Try out different fins and see what works for YOU.

Just my 2 cents.