Finning is the process of generating propulsion. In that sense, it is probably the most basic of all the diving skills, and one that most of us are already able to do when we first start diving.
In particular, a better finning technique, choosing the right technique for the right circumstances, can increase your dive’s efficiency.
This will decrease your air consumption, reduce physical fatigue, and extending your dives. Picking the right finning technique will also decrease the amount of silt you turn up. I am going to talk about four types of SCUBAPRO fins. The Jet fin, the Seawing Nova Gorilla, The Seawing Nova, and the Go Sport fins. The Jet Fin is the most wildly used fin in the world by profession divers, the SeaWing Nova, the SeaWing Nova Gorillas (a stiffer version of the Seawing Nova that is great for people that who are strong kickers). The Go Sport fin is new to our line and is a tremendous all-around fin for diving, surface swimming like OTB and River and Stream crossing. Lastly are the Twin Jet fins, again a SCUBAPRO iconic fin; it is used by strong kickers that like to use a flutter kick type stroke.
There are three main fin kicks that any diver should know. These are flutter kicks, frog kicks, and bent-knee cave diver kicks.
Flutter kicks
The flutter kick is the basic finning technique that most divers use. This technique is similar to the leg part of freestyle swimming.
Watch 90 percent of all divers, and you’ll see them use flutter kicks. In the early days of diving, it was the only technique taught. The reason for its popularity is quite simply that it is the strongest of all the kicking techniques, and it generates a lot of propulsion. Back in the early days of diving, before the invention of the BCD, speed was the primary way of maintaining buoyancy. The advantage of this kick is the forcefulness of it. It is excellent for moving at high speed or when fighting a current. The legs’ vertical up-down movement also means it is beneficial for wall diving, mainly when diving by a wall covered in corals. There’s less risk of kicking something on the side of you like your dive buddy, coral or the finning’s backwash, stirring up sediment. The disadvantages of this kick are related to the advantages. The forcefulness of the kick means that it is relatively strenuous and increases air consumption because of it. The vertical movement can steer up a lot of silt; this is bad for many reasons. If you are on a combat swimmer operation, the trail of silt can give you away. Second, it will make it hard for anyone following you to see their gauges and find the target. (unless you are using the SCUBAPRO HUD dive computer) (shameless plug, but it is excellent for low visibility). In confined spaces like close to the target around the piers or in a cave, it can cause a blackout and make it very hard to see what you are doing.
A fast, powerful technique is useful when fighting a current, for short bursts of speed. The best fins for this are the SCUBAPRO SeaWing Nova Gorillas, The Go Sports, and the Jet fans.
Frog kick
The frog kick looks very similar to the leg portion of the breaststroke from swimming. A large and wide kick that utilizes the leg’s full strength is a good, general technique for open-water diving, either in the water column or close to the bottom. Because the movement and propulsion aren’t continuous, good buoyancy technique is required, though.
The movement here is horizontal, or close to it, meaning that there is minimal disturbance of the bottom when swimming close to the bottom, which will maintain the visibility for any divers that come after you. However, the kick’s width means that the kick isn’t recommended for caves or when diving close to a wall.
This kick, combined with good buoyancy, will quickly become your go-to technique once you get used to it, and will likely decrease your air consumption significantly. The more adequately trimmed your position in the water, and the more you take advantage of the gliding phase before initiating the next kick, the more you’ll reduce your energy (and air) consumption.
The powerful kick that can be extremely efficient, especially if you master the kick-and-glide aspect. Suitable for open-water diving in mild currents, in the water column, or close to the bottom. Not advisable in stronger currents or close to walls.
The best fins for this are the Jet fins.
Bent-Knee Cave Diver Kick
With the complicated name, this technique is the go-to technique for technical divers and is the one that causes the least disturbance of the environment. The bent knees mean that the movement is minimal, with the entire kick coming only from a small movement in the hips, combined with a kick of the ankles. This means that propulsion is limited, compared to the two kicks above, but it also decreases strain and air consumption.
The small movement means that it works well in cramped areas, such as inside wrecks and caves, and, when executed correctly, can minimize the amount of silt kicked up to almost nothing. For this reason, it is also the recommended technique for diving close a very silty bottom, like in a confined space, close to piers or around ships.
The slow movement also means that this technique helps you slow down, making it useful for muck dives or other nature dives where you’ll be looking for small animal life. Because it is a very low-propulsion kick, this technique has its limitation when swimming against a current, though. This is a minimal-impact kick that is ideal for cramped environments and close to very silty bottoms, as well as helping you slow down during your dives and maximize your available air. The Jet Fin is the best fin for this, and with some practice, the Go Sport is good also.
Lastly, the SeaWing Nova Gorillas come in OD Green or Orange, but they can be special ordered in all black. You can also order the SeaWing Nova in all black. Special orders require a minimum of 24 per size, but we can work to get you want you need.
Contact ecrazz@clannfive.com for more information.