Finning techniques

[picxie]

Can anyone explain, in laymans terms, the different finning techniques? Or does anyone have a link with concise descriptions?


And which technique do you find in different circumstances?

[fire diver]

Originally Posted by picxie

Can anyone explain, in laymans terms, the different finning techniques? Or does anyone have a link with concise descriptions?


And which technique do you find in different circumstances?

<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>Well, recreational divers, who had very poor instructors will usually bicycle kick. The typical rec diver uses the standard flutter kick. </DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>Then there is the modified flutter. Bend your knees so your fins are up behind you, and use your ankles the flutter just the fins.</DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>Then there is the frog kick. Ive seen this done "whole leg" just like a frog, and I've seen it done with just the feet/ankles. It's a great kick to use, and you can vary that method based on whether you are in open water, or a confined, silty area.</DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>Then there is the hilcopter kick, used for turning a zero radius circle</DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>And lastly (and most difficult for me) is the back kick. For those times you want or need to back up without turning around.</DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>Sorry, I lost all my links to the kick demos. Do a google search for "DIR kick techniques" should get you what you want</DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>FD</DIV>

[PlatypusMan]

Found some links that are interesting: what are your thoughts?

An article on finning.

Finning video (about halfway down the page).

More DIR style finning videos--also about halfway down the page.

[tc_rain]

This is how I learned some of the different kicks
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>More DIR style finning videos--also about halfway down the page.</DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>I still wish they were taught in the AOW class. They could replace one of the elective dives with this. </DIV>

[WaterRat]

I guess my frog and modified flutter are OK. Still haven't been able to reverse kick and my helicopter is half a$$ed. Lots of practice needed on that. I hope to take a fundies course early next year. That should help straighten out any problems.
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>Ron</DIV>

[Ajuva]

Great Link.
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>Will practice these this weekend!</DIV>

[creggur]

Not to hijack your thread, but will these techniques work with split-fins like my Tusa Zooms?

[fire diver]

Originally Posted by creggur

Not to hijack your thread, but will these techniques work with split-fins like my Tusa Zooms?

<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>They will still work, but would have less power. Remember splits are based on the model of lots of really easy repitions. Paddle fins are fewer, harder reps. The experts say that for the flutter kicker, the splits are a more efficient fin. I don't know, I've never tried them.</DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>FD</DIV>

[picxie]

Originally Posted by PlatypusMan

Found some links that are interesting: what are your thoughts?

An article on finning.

Finning video (about halfway down the page).

More DIR style finning videos--also about halfway down the page.

<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>That article is great, thanks!</DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>I can do the helicopter quite easily ... and I can 'lie' on my back and go backwards ... hehe. The frog kick looks a bit complicated though!</DIV>

[georoc01]

I agree with TC_Rain that it would be good to have some of this in the AOW class. Of course, as I have done some more shallow shore diving, that frog kick becomes more critical
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>And I do have TUSA Zooms and all of the kicks still work, but you get far more power out of a modified flutter than do you a frog.</DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>One of my instructors uses a dolphin kick most of the time. Which would add another to the list.</DIV>