Why do they not fly underwater?

[swimtrunks]

I've noticed every time Goku or any other character is underwater, they swim instead of fly. But why tho?

It was stated that when the Z characters fly, they're just pushing their energy/ki out to lift themselves up(besides Piccolo who claims he uses another technique to fly).

The only time it made sense was during the Goku VS Frieza fight. He was knocked into the water and swam to another part then shot a Kamehameha at Frieza. I assume Frieza would be able to sense where he was if he flew underwater.

But, every time they get knocked into water, they start swimming as if water canceled their ki/energy output.

I think I've only ever seen them fly in/out of the water once during the entire series. It might not have happened at all and I'm confusing it with the videogames which allows you to fly and sorta/kinda swim underwater.

[SH69]

I thought Frieza can't sense energy- so Goku swimming there doesn't make any more sense than it usually does. Maybe it's quicker to swim than fly? When flying normally the only resistive force is in the air; which is much less than the resistive forces in water.

[Tectorman]

If I had to guess, I would call it an extension of the same things they do while making special attacks.

Strictly speaking, actually calling out "Kamehameha" is not necessary to do the technique. It may have been in the very beginning, but even before Dragonball ended, characters had figured out how to do so-called "chantless" attacks.

Yet even after Goku has ascended to the high levels of power and mastery that we see later in the franchise, he will still call out the attack. Why? Because even though he doesn't need to, it is still what he's most comfortable with.

In the case of flying, there is no "more comfortable" version of that method of movement for the characters to use instead, as humans, saiyans, namekians, etc., do not naturally fly without the use of ki. There being nothing else to default to, their preferred method of flight while flying is flying.

But underwater is a different story. There is a more comfortable method of traveling underwater: swimming. So even when they're flying underwater, they will still do swimming motions for the same reason that Goku feels the need to call out "Kamehameha". Not because it's necessary, but merely out of habit.

[TheUltimateNinja]

They probably do fly underwater, they just make swimming motions to make the water flow around them quicker.

[Doctor.]

Goku flew underwater vs Freeza in F
Goku and Beerus flew underwater in Super

[TheUltimateNinja]

Goku flew underwater vs Freeza in F
Goku and Beerus flew underwater in Super

Yet another reason Super is superior to Z.

[Lord Frieza]

Its possible that they do this simply not to reveal their location. Using their ki to push them threw the water would allow ki sensers to detect them and those that could would be able to see the water displacement and light if they were not deep enough.

[Angelus]

Maybe because they're underwater, meaning, they're holding their breath. Flying in water might be too exhausting compared to swimming. Which would make them gasp for air much faster. Average humans can swim. But using Ki to go faster than torpedoes underwater may take up too much stamina that you'll need to inhale and the air in the lungs you kept from holding your breath just won't be enough

[dbgtFO]

I would like to have all the instances listed as right now I only recall underwater scenes from the manga and the 2 examples from Res F and Super, Doctor posted.
In the manga, during the Freeza arc Vegeta takes a swim, when he escapes Freeza's spaceship.
When he fought Recoome he flew underwater before bursting out of it and crashing straight into Recoome's abdomen.
Goku must have also flown through the water, when he came up with his tactic to outsmart Freeza, but it was off-screen. We also later see him slowly rise up from the water as a Super Saiyan.
And that's about it for the manga. Z movie 5 had the Goku vs Coola underwater battle, but I don't recall sering them flying that much, perhaps just the one instance as it was a short fight.

[swimtrunks]

Goku flew underwater vs Freeza in F
Goku and Beerus flew underwater in Super

Those are probably the few instances I'm remembering. I've only seen them fly underwater a few times in the series, not counting the video games.

The majority of the time they're knocked underwater, they start kicking their legs as if they can't push themselves with their ki.

Goku must have also flown through the water, when he came up with his tactic to outsmart Freeza, but it was off-screen.

No. It shows Goku doggy paddling underwater.