Why can't I learn.

[Finless]

Whilst pondering the DIR philosophy (or at least my understanding of it) and how much I hate the word "holistic" a thought struck me. I remember it specifically because it does not happen too often - "I like some of what I know about DIR diving!" No big surprise you may say.

There are bits I don't accept and although I would never be able to do a DIR course I would like to learn more. Even the bits I don't agree are instructive in their own way - if I am told that my kit is wrong (FFM for example) I am forced into examining why I have made that choice and does it stand up to scrutiny.

So, the problem is, how do I learn more when they won't have me. I know this type of topic has been done to death but maybe, there is a skill or a tip in "there" that will make me a better/safer diver.

In short - can anyone buy the "video" and does it actually show demonstrations of the skills being covered, like ..... first one that comes to mind is finning so you go backwards.

I have not entered the DIR bit for age so - my apologies if this topic has been covered recently.

Bryan

[Dominic]

There are two videos online that show you a bloke finning backwards - at 5thD's website IIRC..

You basically frog-kick the other way

You could always just hire DIR kit for the day and go on the Fundy course..

Wittering Divers, I believe, do a "Twinset fundamentals" that covers the same sort of ground, I hear..

[Finless]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Dominic @ Mar. 02 2004,14:15)]You basically frog-kick the other way

Ah! That explains it all. Why didn't I think of that! No need to see the video now.

[Spike Jackson]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Finless @ Mar. 02 2004,15:21)]

Ah! That explains it all. Why didn't I think of that! No need to see the video now.

Easier said than done! I've been practicing it on and off for a while and am starting to get the hang of it but I still look like a convulsing frog!

[Rick Huggins]

<font color='#0000FF'>Finless,

You could buy the &quot;Doing It Right, fundamentals of better diving&quot; book by Jarrod Jablonski available from underwater explorers.

There are also DIR video's, audio tracks available for download. Also look at www.Frogkick.nl, nice webby with some decent video's and links.

There are also quite a number of guys on this part of the forum who you could approach via PM.

HTH

Rick

[Finless]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Frogman @ Mar. 02 2004,15:35)]Finless,

You could buy the &quot;Doing It Right, fundamentals of better diving&quot; book by Jarrod Jablonski available from underwater explorers.

There are also DIR video's, audio tracks available for download. Also look at www.Frogkick.nl, nice webby with some decent video's and links.

There are also quite a number of guys on this part of the forum who you could approach via PM.

HTH

Rick

Rick,

My concern with the books is that (from the little I have seen of one on them) is that there is a list of skills to be learnt BUT no details given on &quot;how to&quot; as they are to be demonstrated by the instructor.

Bryan

[Dominic]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]Ah! That explains it all. Why didn't I think of that! No need to see the video now.

That's about the easiest way of describing it... You use the top of the fin in an outwards kicking motion, and it makes you go backwards.

It took me AGES to work it out, so don't panic if you take a while. Every time I tried it I stayed in exactly the same place but my feet went skyward. It's still a hideously slow way of moving around...

[Finless]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Dominic @ Mar. 02 2004,15:54)]

That's about the easiest way of describing it... You use the top of the fin in an outwards kicking motion, and it makes you go backwards.

It took me AGES to work it out, so don't panic if you take a while. Every time I tried it I stayed in exactly the same place but my feet went skyward. It's still a hideously slow way of moving around...

Sounds like a bit of ankle rotation might be required to get the return stroke without going forwards again. I think my ankles can still do that .

Ouch. Oh, perhaps they can't.

[johnkendall]

A good trick to try while learning backwards finning, is to hold onto something solid (Like the wreck). Then you don't move while you try and do the finning, but can feel which way you are putting the force in. Then if you feel yourself pushing forwards, you can change the angle of your feet until it works, without worrying about hitting things.
HTH
John

[Finless]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (johnkendall @ Mar. 03 2004,00:14)]A good trick to try while learning backwards finning, is to hold onto something solid (Like the wreck). Then you don't move while you try and do the finning, but can feel which way you are putting the force in. Then if you feel yourself pushing forwards, you can change the angle of your feet until it works, without worrying about hitting things.
HTH
John

Good idea BUT I think I'll transfer it to the pool.

Do you have to beep loudly if you are reverse finning?