Paddle Fins for Open Water?

[ResortDiver850]

Hi,

I am looking fins for general purpose open water diving and snorkeling.

I like the idea of a neutrally bouyant paddle fin such as the Deep 6 Eddy fin for frog kicking. The DIR system appeals to me.

I've only used mares quattros and some traditional aqua lung fins before.

Would the lightweight paddle fins be a bad idea for just recreational diving?

Thanks!

 

[MichaelMc]

Frog kick is a great idea for recreational diving, so whatever fins work for frog kick best for you trim and propulsion wise are great.

One type of recreation diving where paddle fins may not be best is if you want to swim really fast to pace along side dolphin pods, where short, or long, free diving fins may be the thing with flutter or dolphin kick. If your rec crowd is 'look at the pretty fish' you are good, if it is swim with the dolphins and against strong current, short free dive fins may be the way.

 

[rongoodman]

The Deep 6 fins are great! The foot pocket is the most comfortable I've used too. Once you get your frog kick down you'll have a foundation for the back kick and helicopter turns, and all the subtle variations on them.

 

[seeker242]

I use standard jetfins, they are fine. I don't know why people make such a big deal about them. Although, I would not take them snorkeling.

 

[halocline]

There's nothing wrong with the Mares avanti quattros that you've already used. I use full foot versions of those in OW.