Kick like a Cave Diver

[KentFrazier]

I thought this might be the best place to post this, even though it is not strictly related to cave diving. :06:

I recently took an unplanned SCUBA Review while on vacation in Utah. During the review, my instructor commented that I “kicked like a cave diver” adding that “this was good”. I didn’t really think much about it at the time, but now I’m wondering more about what she may have meant.

Do any of you have any ideas about what she may have meant by this? All I know is that I was doing a flutter kick.

Thanks,

Kent

 

[Mako Mark]

Kicking like a cave diver means that you should be using anti silting techniques. The flow from the fins should be directed backwards, not up or down. There are various different kicks, but all to the same end.

I didnt know that there was diving in Utah.

 

[Spectre]

Since you were doing a flutter kick; most likely you keep your thighs on the same plane as your body; and you used your knees and ankles to make the motion. An anti-silting flutter kick has the fins pointed straight up, and the force of the kick going backwards until the fins are basically parallel with the body. As opposed to using your hips and thigh muscles to do the work, where the power comes from driving the fin through the body plane and thus projecting a lot of water down when the fins snap to change the direction of the stroke.

Of course; it's possible he doesn't know what a cave diver kicks like

 

[KentFrazier]

Thanks for the replies.

Cancun mark: Yes, there is diving in Utah. Mostly lakes, but there are a couple of interesting dives sites. Bonneville Seabase (where I did my SCUBA Review) is made up of geothermal saltwater springs. See http://www.seabase.net or http://www.utahdiving.com/seabase.htm and Homestead Crater, which I haven’t dived yet (http://www.utahdiving.com/crater.htm)


Spectre: I can only go by what she said, but she said she goes to Florida every summer to do some cave diving. I did notice, now that you mention it, that she seemed to kick more form the knees than the hips and at times she frog kicked.

Speaking of the frog kick, is it any different using fins than what is done when swimming breaststroke? I’ve never tried it and I don’t want to develop an improper technique I’d have to unlearn later.

Thanks again,

Kent

 

[crawford]

Thanks for the replies.

Cancun mark: Yes, there is diving in Utah. Mostly lakes, but there are a couple of interesting dives sites. Bonneville Seabase (where I did my SCUBA Review) is made up of geothermal saltwater springs. See http://www.seabase.net or http://www.utahdiving.com/seabase.htm and Homestead Crater, which I haven’t dived yet (http://www.utahdiving.com/crater.htm)


Spectre: I can only go by what she said, but she said she goes to Florida every summer to do some cave diving. I did notice, now that you mention it, that she seemed to kick more form the knees than the hips and at times she frog kicked.

Speaking of the frog kick, is it any different using fins than what is done when swimming breaststroke? I’ve never tried it and I don’t want to develop an improper technique I’d have to unlearn later.

Thanks again,

Kent

I was planning on diving the crater during a business trip to Salt Lake City once, but I would have had to pay a buddy fee :11: and it was a long drive out there, so I canned it. I would like to dive it once, though, without paying some guy to dive with me. If you're there when another group is present, you usually join in with them. Also, because the crater is so warm, you don't need exposure protection, making it a nice little travel dive.

 

[jbd]

Speaking of the frog kick, is it any different using fins than what is done when swimming breaststroke? I’ve never tried it and I don’t want to develop an improper technique I’d have to unlearn later.

Thanks again,

Kent

Basically it is the same but you don't use your arms and hands as part of the propulsion Typically the knees are flexed to a 90 degree angle, although this is varied to achieve the proper alignment of center of bouyancy and center of gravity. One of the key things is to keep the fin blades streamlined with the flow of water past them i.e. you must be cognizant of ankle flexion or extension. With the frog kick you execute the kick and "rechamber" the kick as you glide through the water. You can generally glide 8 to 12 feet while remaining motionless which really helps with air consumption. There is also a modified frog kick.

 

[FreeFloat]

The modified frog kick is a less powerful (ie less glide involved) version of the full frog kick. In the modified frog kick, most of the work is done by the ankles and very little by the knees. I find that both the frog and modified frog are such powerful kicks that I rarely use the full frog unless really "motoring" toward (or away from) something.

I never use the flutter kick anymore. I find it just plain not as efficient (unless I'm freediving, but that's a whole 'nother story) plus as already mentioned, it has a rotten habit of disturbing the bottom from surprisnigly far away.

YMMV

 

[Bubble Blower 479]

I was planning on diving the crater during a business trip to Salt Lake City once, but I would have had to pay a buddy fee :11: and it was a long drive out there, so I canned it. I would like to dive it once, though, without paying some guy to dive with me. If you're there when another group is present, you usually join in with them. Also, because the crater is so warm, you don't need exposure protection, making it a nice little travel dive.

Let me know when you will be coming again and maybe I can meet you there. It's only about 45 min. away from me.

 

[octotat]

I was planning on diving the crater during a business trip to Salt Lake City once, but I would have had to pay a buddy fee :11: and it was a long drive out there, so I canned it. I would like to dive it once, though, without paying some guy to dive with me. If you're there when another group is present, you usually join in with them. Also, because the crater is so warm, you don't need exposure protection, making it a nice little travel dive.

A dive buddy fee? I dove it solo and they didn't even ask me about a dive buddy. There was a class being taught at that time, but they actually didn't recommend I stick with them but mentioned I should stay out of their way. Guess it depens on who is working the desk! The water is 96 degrees so it's like diving in a hot tub. A truly unique experience, one I highly recommend. Not a lot to see though (except a plastic alligator)

 

[brssmnky]

I didnt know that there was diving in Utah.

You think that's bad, I didn't know the internet was in Utah. :joke: