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Finally got my new Super Fat Cat on the water at Big Bear Lake in California. My question is this, I am 6'2" and even at this height sometimes in kicking my fins would break the surface of the water. I experimented with different types of kicking styles and found that a style similar to pedalling a bicycle seemed to work best, but am wondering if anyone else can confirm this or supply me with other ideas.
Thanks,
JD
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That is gonna have a lot to do with how long your fins are. I would say more like pedaling backwards, in that you are lifting you feet. I don't lift my feet that high I guess, cause I have not had this problem and I am out of the water on both my H3 and my pontoon. I also more or less point my toe on the up.
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I can't tell you that, it has got to feel right to you. I know I don't move my legs much but I do move at the ankle a lot. Like I said, I am pointing my toe so the flipper is actually Horizontal...does that make sense?
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[cool][#0000ff]It's okay to break the water with your fins. No laws agin it. But, it is a waste of energy if you kick that hard upward. One of the things you need to learn to do...instinctively...is to kick downward as hard as you kick upward. With a good flex blade fin like the Planas you get good propulsion. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Also, when trying to "motate", sometimes rapid shorter kicks are more effective and less tiring than long heavy kicks.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]It is all something that you work out for yourself with experience.[/#0000ff]
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I use Avantis also and am only 5'9". It just takes practice. The more you get out you will start it find your natural stroke and what is comfortable, but yet efficient. I am similar to Fg as I point my toes just a little bit.
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Make sure you are not leaning to far back in your seat.
AT
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I am only 5'10" and that is a motion that I regulary use. Pedaling backwards is a way I can move slowly through the water without disturbing any fish around me. But when I need to cover some ground I kick like a diver would kick.
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I agree with the shorter kicking strokes. From time to time I have been known to get excited with a fish on the line and will sometimes break the water myself.
I do find it better with the shorter stroke kick rather than the longer kicks.[cool]
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[cool][#0000ff]I also use shorter kicks MOST OF THE TIME. The one big exception is when maintaining position with a breeze at my back. When I have set up with my back to the wind and I am casting downwind, I sometimes just use long slow kicks to stay in one spot. Less tiring and less likely to move you out of position. You can change up your kicking as needed.[/#0000ff]
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Of course. The unique kicking styles are what set us all apart in our common interest.
I was able to use a whole new kick style last weekend as we were battling some riptides. Those were the longer than long kicking strokes. At the last minute, fins come off and become paddles to ride the last part of the wave in.[cool]
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] I am using Mares Plana Avanti dive fins. Could it be that I am using to long of a kicking motion (i.e., too far back and too far forward). Are short stokes better?? 
] You need to get out there and try for yourself. "Different strokes fo different folks".