Finning backwards

[cummings66]

OK, tell me how to fin backwards. I have watched the videos, read other postings on it, and yet I can not do it consistently. Sometimes it works, other times I go back and up.


I know one key is like frog kicking, but you don'tstart the next cycle too quickly or you'll stop the motion so pleasetell me from step 1 to 10000 how it's done so I can try to do it more constantly. I've been working at it for too long now with little to show.

[CompuDude]

I don't think it's something that can be adequately described in text. I've watched the videos and read many descriptions, and I can kind of do it, but from what I've heard from everyone who has gone through Fundies, there's no substitute for actual instruction.

[frankc420]

I've tried it, I don't move too much regardless of how I try. I've been told to do a backwards frog kick... pretty much reverse the motions... Haven't been in the water long enough to try it however..

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by ReefHound

If it sometimes works for you, then you have the capability to do it. You just need more practice. It's just a matter of muscle memory. Don't think about mechanics. Will yourself to do it.

It probably helps that I have been to the DIR-F first evening lecture twice. Life intervened before I could attend the second session and actual dives, both times, however. Here's hoping September works out better!

But yes, I need to practice it more.

[cummings66]

It's one of those things that doesn't come easy to me, I sometimes think the best way to do it is get a buddy who can do it and have him move my fins for me until I get it.
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<DIV>Last weekend for me it seemed like it worked really well, then I got tired I guess or sloppy and it went away. It was very neat to watch the crawdad and back away without doing anything other than using the fins.</DIV>
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<DIV>Then as soon as it come it was gone again and I couldn't do it worth a hoot. I almost thought I had it down, I just can't figure what I did right.</DIV>

[jacewindu]

perhaps i'm a little awkward, but from so much time in the water (i used to swim a lot on a couple teams) i just developed good sculling with my right foot. most of the time a flick of the foot does it for me, but i understand if that doesn't help you much...

[texdiveguy]

The skill has nothing to do with taking a Fundies class, its a basic skill taught in many adv. programs......but does have to do with like ReefHound said,,,muscle memory and practice......it will not be long and you will be holding your depth and 'backing-up' like a pro.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by texdiveguy

The skill has nothing to do with taking a Fundies class, its a basic skill taught in many adv. programs......but does have to do with like ReefHound said,,,muscle memory and practice......it will not be long and you will be holding your depth and 'backing-up' like a pro.

I never said Fundies was the only place to learn it, it's just the only place the people I know have learned it. The key is, someone needs to teach it to you. Some people can teach to themselves through other means, but personal instruction is the best way to learn it. (For the majority of people)

[cummings66]

Originally Posted by jacewindu

i just developed good sculling with my right foot. most of the time a flick of the foot does it for me, but i understand if that doesn't help you much...

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<DIV>I can do that all the time, it's just not what I want to be able to do. Sculling doesn't always cut it and it's likely to stir up silt which is one reason I like to learn new kicking techniques.</DIV>
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<DIV>I like to dive an area and nobody could tell I was there, even if I was only inches off the bottom. You can't do that and scull.</DIV>
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<DIV>It sort of reminds me of what one of my buddies said. He's been working on learning things and one day at the quarry he says did you see me frog kicking? I said no, when did you do it. My mistake in answering thusly because he says, I was doing it the entire dive...</DIV>
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<DIV>What he was doing was some sort of modified dolphin kick with the fins kicking down and boy could he silt up an area.</DIV>

[texdiveguy]

Originally Posted by CompuDude

I never said Fundies was the only place to learn it, it's just the only place the people I know have learned it. The key is, someone needs to teach it to you. Some people can teach to themselves through other means, but personal instruction is the best way to learn it. (For the majority of people)

I disagree that someone has to teach it to you.....it is a skill like most you can learn on your own thru practice.......if a class helps you then that is fine also. You indicated you were not well skilled at this finning method....then your GUE program will lend benefit I bet...good luck with it.