Choosing Scuba Diving Flippers
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There are a number of choices when it comes to choosing scuba diving flippers. In addition, the number of scuba diving flippers expands every year as multiple manufacturers continue to make advances in engineering to create the most durable and efficient flippers. For some people the most popular model is still the original and traditional full foot scuba diving flippers, but there are many other styles to choose from today. As far as efficiency and ease of use goes engineering and mathematical angles have been used to create new scuba flipper designs that offer divers many advantages.
What To Consider
Many people don’t like the new complex and technical features of scuba diving flippers and prefer to stick with the basic, traditional fins, but this isn’t necessarily bad. When it comes to purchasing yourself a personal pair of scuba diving flippers it is important to choose based on comfort. You won’t be able to swim as you want with flippers that are uncomfortable or awkward. While specialized angles and split fins can help give you better kicking efficiency while swimming they will only work for those who are comfortable wearing these types of fins and using them in water. If you are comfortable and fully satisfied with your flippers then you will be able to use them properly.
Types Of Scuba Diving Flippers
Before choosing which style will work for you, it is best to do your research into the styles of scuba diving flippers. The first option is the traditional form known as paddle fins. These can be found in either full foot or adjustable strap versions. Most scuba divers choose to use the adjustable heal of any style flipper. The full foot flippers are typically only used for snorkeling fins. Paddle fins work by moving water up and down which is useful for those doing free diving or diving in currents.
Some of the major scuba equipment companies have started to specially engineer these paddle fins to provide more move with each kick of your feet. There are scuba diving flippers by Dacor and Tusa that have an optimized pivoting blade that angles to the most efficient degree when you kick down and up to give you a forceful kick. However, when the traditional angle of these fins is altered you will loose some full force during part of your kick while swimming, so this is something to consider if you are looking into purchasing these types of diving fins.
Other types of scuba diving flippers include those that have splits, cutouts or vents that can enhance your kick and efficiency. The most popular of these forms is the split fins which are also called “Bio-fins” depending on the company you are purchasing them from. These are essentially a paddle fin with a sliver down the middle vertically which divides the flipper into two sections. Many people have found that these scuba diving flippers do provide efficient and forceful stroke while diving. The engineering behind these fins was intended to give a set distance with a minimal number of kicks. However, some divers still believe the best option is the traditional flipper, but as it has been stated before the primary influence in your decision should be what is most comfortable for you while diving.
There are other scuba diving flippers that have horizontal split fins, cutouts and vents in strategic places along the paddle section of the fin. There are the Apollo Bio-fins which are designed for the purpose of pushed back water rather than moving it up and down like traditional fins. This makes the flipper act more like a propeller rather than a paddle which makes the task of kicking much easier.
An additional style that you can choose from is force fins which are smaller than the traditional form of scuba diving flippers. Once you become comfortable with these types of scuba diving fins you can easily get the same amount of kicking force from these smaller fins that you normally get with the traditional flippers. The reason why the force fins have been said to provide successful efficiency when kicking is because they mimic a whale tail on a smaller scale.
Simply choosing a style of scuba diving flippers is only the beginning when looking for a personal set of flippers. There are several designs within each specific style that give you additional options and just deciding on a brand to go with can be difficult in itself. The best way to limit your options when it comes to selecting flippers is to limit them to your budget, but don’t worry you will still have a large selection to choose from and you will easily be able to find what you need.
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