Hi all - I carry 10 kg of weights (all spread out on the back and sides of my weight belt) when i dive and was wondering if there is an optimal way - in general - of distributing these weights to improve my trim and comfort (as I feel a bit of strain on my back due to the weights).
10 kg is quite a bit to have on the belt, IMO, and it's no wonder your back is getting strained. Also, if you ever need to dump your weights while underwater, you risk taking the express to the surface, and that may be a bad idea.
When I dive in my trilam suit, I need about 14kg all in all, and I divide that weight in three roughly equal parts. About 5kg is in my weight pockets (easily dumpable, one half at the time if needed), about 5kg I have on a weight belt beneath my crotch strap (dumpable in a pinch, but not that easily), and the rest is fixed on my backplate/BCD. That way, I get less strain on my back and I can dump about 10kg if needed, but in smaller portions, so there's less risk of taking the express to the surface.
You might consider getting some weight pockets to mount on your tank band, and move a bit of your weight from your belt to the pockets.
I also tend to flip belly up when on the surface.
I prefer to flip belly up on the surface. Lying on my back is the most relaxed position for me if I have to surface swim over to the boat or ashore. So belly up isn't necessarily a problem unless you find it uncomfortable. You might try to position your weights on your hips and your front instead of on your back, that should help. I hate having weights on the back of my belt.
Would it be better to carry some of the weights in the 2 front pockets instead (if so, how much?) and/or around the ankles? Thanks in advance for your advice.
Do you mean the regular BCD pockets intended for storing stuff (e.g. a slate), or does your BCD have weight pockets? It's possible to carry some weight in your regular BCD pockets (I've done that with rocks when I haven't brought enough weights), but I think it's a kludge and I wouldn't do that as a permanent solution.