Finning while scootering

[rddvet]

How many people had the jimmy foot when they first started scootering? I've been scootering for a few months (only about 6 hours of dive time though) post-DPV class. During the class I would fin some while scootering. Not a full on fin, but my feet would move some. Edd said it was very common and mine wasn't that bad, and with time it will go away. It's a matter of comfort while scootering. It definitely has gotten much better. I find when I make sure I'm conscious of it, it's non-existent. When I really start enjoying the dive, I stop thinking of it and it slowly comes back some. I guess being conscious of it is better than nothing.

Problem is, I watched that Diving into the Unkown documentary and now I feel shamed, so I want to fix it now.

So has anyone had the same when first starting to scooter and have a good solution other than stay conscious of it at all times? Or is Edd right on the money, with time and comfort it magically disappears?

[tbone1004]

definitely had it, just get feedback from your buddies and it will get better over time. Takes a while especially while you get used to controlling your body position with the scooter. I'm still nowhere near perfect, but a lot better than I was

[rddvet]

definitely had it, just get feedback from your buddies and it will get better over time. Takes a while especially while you get used to controlling your body position with the scooter. I'm still nowhere near perfect, but a lot better than I was

Thanks. Unfortunately my scooter buddy is my wife, so the feedback isn't as nice as a buddy. I get "why don't you just stop the finning." I agree body position is important. When all is well, it disappears too. When I'm enjoying myself (not paying close enough attention to every detail) it comes back.

Figured just keeping it in mind was the only key.

[floridabob]

Trim, body positioning and neutral bouyancy will accelerate the learning curve. You should be perfectly neutral at all times on the trigger, a common oversight as you can correct a little negative bouyancy with body positioning, which exaggerates the problem of finning.

And if your trim or configuration is off, then the hydrodynamics wants to turn you, thus you compensate. Scooter torque may play a small issue here, too.

Play with moving bottles around as you scooter: left up the butt or the neck and see. Also, where it's your hand/arm not on the trigger? Light?

Bob

[OFG-1]

The question I have is who cares? This isn't Dancing with the Stars, you are not being graded, and the audience isn't going to vote. Sure, they may laugh and point but, again, who cares?

[floridabob]

Exactly.

Why bother doing it well?

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

[rddvet]

The question I have is who cares? This isn't Dancing with the Stars, you are not being graded, and the audience isn't going to vote. Sure, they may laugh and point but, again, who cares?

I have this strange thing where I want to dive safely, but also not look like a f***tard doing it.

The reality is it's not good form, and I don't want to do things poorly. Add to that if I scooter into some smaller, less forgiving areas I don't want to be unknowingly finning.

[rddvet]

Trim, body positioning and neutral bouyancy will accelerate the learning curve. You should be perfectly neutral at all times on the trigger, a common oversight as you can correct a little negative bouyancy with body positioning, which exaggerates the problem of finning.

And if your trim or configuration is off, then the hydrodynamics wants to turn you, thus you compensate. Scooter torque may play a small issue here, too.

Play with moving bottles around as you scooter: left up the butt or the neck and see. Also, where it's your hand/arm not on the trigger? Light?

Bob

All good points. I stay on top of buoyancy throughout the dive since perfect buoyancy was rammed into my head during class. I do think hydrodynamics are a big part. I'm not yet comfortable, so I think my form isn't ideal the whole time lending to the subconscious need to fin some.

I'm on an XK1 as well, so that has some nice torque as a factor. As for hand position, it's either in a normal dive position as if the scooter wasn't there (out in front, arm bent forward) with the light on that hand or at times lightly on the shroud.

I think it's just going to be time in the water. I'm just going to need time to get fully comfortable. It's good to hear I'm not alone in the scooter finning game.

[nakatomi]

My hat is off to rddvet for being open about this subject and wanting to improve. That is awesome, thank you!

Here is my take.
The scooter, in this case the XK1, has nothing to do with it. The torque with an XK1 is pretty minimal compared to some other scooters out there.
As with a horse, you ride it and you don't let it take you for a ride.

Bob's post is spot on. Your issue might be somewhere in your fundamental setup and the scooter could just be tipping the scale.

Whatever it is, an experienced instructor or mentor should be able to get to the root of it and help you fix it.

I do hope you can get to the bottom of it soon or maybe post some video, maybe we can spot something.

[PfcAJ]

There's probably some unbalance somewhere. Identifying where could be a challenge. How's your tow leash setup?