Why the hate/ridicule for split fins?
- Thread starter Dogbowl
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Ooooh it’s gonna be one of THOSE threads...dang, it’s gonna get moderated 
To add... the only reason that I can think of is the splits can cause it to get caught in line, which is a no-no for cave/DIR folk. Is that the reason?
I’m serious...I wanna know. It’s got lots and great reviews on places like LeisurePro and Amazon (Atomic splits, for example).
To add... the only reason that I can think of is the splits can cause it to get caught in line, which is a no-no for cave/DIR folk. Is that the reason?
I’m serious...I wanna know. It’s got lots and great reviews on places like LeisurePro and Amazon (Atomic splits, for example).
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Because they're not effective for kicks other than standard flutter, even though some people claim to be able to make them work?
Slym
Contributor
In my area there is this fantastic drift dive called "Navy Hall" I like it because you jump in swim out a little then decend, the current takes you and after about 8 minutes you see white sand and at that point you start swimming inland. Once you are at the banks you swim against the drift for about 5 minutes and acend, then you can do the drift again. Same entry and exit point which is super rare for a drift dive.
With split fins (or many other fins that are not the Turtle or Jetfin design) you just can't swim against the strength of the current and you'll be pulled up the river for a nice 3 km hike back to the car in full kit.
With split fins (or many other fins that are not the Turtle or Jetfin design) you just can't swim against the strength of the current and you'll be pulled up the river for a nice 3 km hike back to the car in full kit.
Slym
Contributor
Jack Hammer
Contributor
I'll bite...
Splits are inappropriate for caves/penetration due to some possibility of entanglement, less finesse control, much harder to not stir up silt, difficult to back kick, etc. Some people view them as a crutch to learning more or better kicking techniques.
Splits are popular because they have no real learning curve, just start kicking and you move. They are easy on the knees and a hard kick won't overwork a muscle (cramp). Some people don't care about advanced kicking techniques and just want simple ease of movement. They are really best for moving forward only.
when I was first open water recreational diving I loved them for how simple they kicked. When I got into tech they didn't deliver the types of performance I needed. If I make a recreational dive now I use my paddles as they offer me a wider range of kicks.
Splits are inappropriate for caves/penetration due to some possibility of entanglement, less finesse control, much harder to not stir up silt, difficult to back kick, etc. Some people view them as a crutch to learning more or better kicking techniques.
Splits are popular because they have no real learning curve, just start kicking and you move. They are easy on the knees and a hard kick won't overwork a muscle (cramp). Some people don't care about advanced kicking techniques and just want simple ease of movement. They are really best for moving forward only.
when I was first open water recreational diving I loved them for how simple they kicked. When I got into tech they didn't deliver the types of performance I needed. If I make a recreational dive now I use my paddles as they offer me a wider range of kicks.
John Bantin
Contributor
A little bit of history:
Pete McCarthy, an aeronautical engineer designed some fins using his knowledge and design facilities. He sold license to the design first to Apollo and then to Atomic. Both produced fins that were phenomenally effective. They had split blades. However, other fin manufacturers balked at paying to license his design so got on the splitfin bandwagon with their own designs. For example, Scubapro Twinjets sold very well but were phenomenally INeffective. Thus, the reputation of splitfins was destroyed.
Pete McCarthy, an aeronautical engineer designed some fins using his knowledge and design facilities. He sold license to the design first to Apollo and then to Atomic. Both produced fins that were phenomenally effective. They had split blades. However, other fin manufacturers balked at paying to license his design so got on the splitfin bandwagon with their own designs. For example, Scubapro Twinjets sold very well but were phenomenally INeffective. Thus, the reputation of splitfins was destroyed.
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