Swim Bag: Specialty Paddles

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Darren Watts
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1 Product manufacturers and retailers provide the products reviewed in Swim Bag to SWIMMER at no cost. By Laura Hamel Specialty paddles are a great way to draw attention to a particular aspect of your stroke. All the paddles reviewed here, in one way or another, emphasize the importance of a high elbow catch and straight, vertical forearm in the freestyle stroke. Whether it s tiny fingertip paddles that isolate the feel of the fingers or large slabs of plastic that immobilize your hands and forearms and force them into the correct alignment, the end result is that you learn how important that real estate between your fingertips and your inner elbows is. For the most part, these technique aids can be used in other strokes as well, as all the strokes require attention to our natural paddles in order to perfect technique and increase efficiency. Creative coaches will also find these aids great for sculling drills. Wrapping the Wrists Testers had never tried these unique paddles before, and both models received high marks. Both models should be positioned on the lower palm of the hand, closer to the wrists than the fingers. This has the effect of bringing attention to fingers, wrists, and forearms, since the paddle interrupts the line of all three while highlighting the importance of them all working together. 1. Aqua Volo VB Air aquavolo.com $30 Testers really liked these as a training aid and found the VB Air effective in helping them feel their catch and early vertical forearm. The flotation of the thick foam forces a high-elbow catch and pull. Testers mostly preferred these for freestyle and sculling drills, but a few found them helpful in other strokes. In order to be effective, the rubber tubing needs to be quite snug so they don t drift, flop around, or catch water between the paddle and lower palm. One size. 2. Aqua Volo VoloBlades aquavolo.com $30 These paddles received great reviews, and testers felt a high elbow from the catch through the pull to the finish of the stroke. Testers reported that these paddles also forced them to engage their hips during the follow-through phase of the stroke. In addition to being a great technique aid, the VoloBlades are good for developing strength and endurance, and testers felt as though their detoids and lats had received an extra workout something they hadn t experienced with standard hand paddles. Testers also enjoyed using these paddles for backstroke, noting extra awareness of the final push at the end of the propulsive phase, just before the recovery. Aqua Volo also sells felt pads that attach to the blades and absorb water, thus acting as weights and providing more resistance for strength-building sets. Two sizes. Feeling the Fingers Fingertip paddles cover the fingertips only, isolating them from the palms, drawing attention to the importance of having the fingers, palms, wrists, and forearms all working together and in proper alignment. 3. Finis Instinct finisinc.com $15 With only the thumb divider to hold these paddles on, poor technique is immediately evident when they slip off. The Instinct paddles can be used for all strokes, although testers struggled with them for backstroke. These are great paddles for sculling they afford a good feel of the water and how it interacts with your fingers and hands. The Instinct s simple design allows them to quickly and easily be put on and pulled off during the latter stages of every warm-up, which is a great way to do a daily technique check. Two sizes. 4. Speedo Performance Biofuse Finger Paddle speedousa.com $16 Testers reported that the Biofuse paddles fit securely and were easy to use in all four strokes, helping with a better feel for the water and keeping fingers in place, providing extra traction and grip of the water. Testers also loved these for sculling drills. Some of our distance-swimming testers use finger paddles during long pull sets because they put less stress on the shoulders than standard paddles. The flat straps fit well and the paddles are quite comfortable and easy to put on and pull off. We spoke with one coach who says this is his go-to paddle for technique work. One size. 40 /// usms.org

2 »»» Tested FOR Masters Swimmers BY Masters Swimmers january-february 2015 /// 41

Hiding the Hands These technique aids both give you instant feedback on what it s like to swim without the resistance of your palms.

your wrists. Once you remove the technique aid and feel your palms, you ll immediately feel how they work in conjunction with your newly aligned wrists and forearms.

Essentially latex rubber gloves with no fingers, they fit over closed fists and keep them closed, which mimics a standard fist drill.

Testers found that this better highlighted the importance of presenting a flat, unbroken wrist with a high elbow catch using the forearms to catch the water or no forward motion was accomplished.

3 Hiding the Hands These technique aids both give you instant feedback on what it s like to swim without the resistance of your palms. Without your hands, you don t go very far, so you ll naturally do everything you can to gain forward movement, which means raising your elbows and straightening your forearms and aligning them with your wrists. Once you remove the technique aid and feel your palms, you ll immediately feel how they work in conjunction with your newly aligned wrists and forearms. In essence, you re destroying your catch in order to appreciate it and rediscover it. 5. Better Times Fistglove totalimmersion.org $10 The Fistgloves were popular with testers. Essentially latex rubber gloves with no fingers, they fit over closed fists and keep them closed, which mimics a standard fist drill. However, with the gloves, hands and arms tended to slip through the water more quickly than just clenched fists alone. Testers found that this better highlighted the importance of presenting a flat, unbroken wrist with a high elbow catch using the forearms to catch the water or no forward motion was accomplished. Fistgloves can be used for all strokes, and testers especially liked them for breaststroke because they forced a very high turnover rate. They re easier to put on when submerged and should be dried and powdered between uses, as with a latex swim cap, or they re susceptible to mildew and tearing. Four sizes. 6. Stroke Max Antipaddle strokemax.com $30 The Antipaddle removes the ability to feel the water by removing its contact with your hand, in a different manner than the Fistgloves, but with the same result: Your catch is temporarily removed so that you can find it again when you take the paddles off. The Antipaddle takes this concept a step further by allowing you to fill the paddles with sand or water to weigh them down, creating more resistance. The Antipaddles can be used in all strokes, but some testers reported slippage during breaststroke because the rubber tubing is a bit smaller than with standard paddles. Two sizes /// usms.org

Forcing the Forearms These larger paddles work by providing a framework that forces alignment of your forearms and wrists and encourages a high elbow catch.

By forcing your arms into correct alignment, you can develop some muscle memory so that when you swim without them you can keep working toward proper alignment. 8 7. Finis Bolster finisinc.

Swimmers who tended to cut their stroke short and enter the water too soon found that the Bolster made them lengthen their stroke enter the water farther away resulting in an increase in efficiency.

com $20 The Fulcrum provides instant feedback for swimmers who tend to bend at the wrists.

Several testers commented that these are uncomfortable to wear, but that they do achieve a desirable result in creating awareness of the importance of high elbows and stiff wrists. Two sizes. 9 9.

4 Forcing the Forearms These larger paddles work by providing a framework that forces alignment of your forearms and wrists and encourages a high elbow catch. Swimming with them requires some practice, but the payoff can be big, especially if you tend to drop your elbows regularly or have a flimsy catch. By forcing your arms into correct alignment, you can develop some muscle memory so that when you swim without them you can keep working toward proper alignment Finis Bolster finisinc.com $30 The Bolster s design was very effective at keeping the wrist and forearm in line and forcing a high elbow catch and pull. Swimmers who tended to cut their stroke short and enter the water too soon found that the Bolster made them lengthen their stroke enter the water farther away resulting in an increase in efficiency. The Bolster is a large and stiff paddle, and only our larger and stronger testers felt comfortable using them. One size. 8. Finis Forearm Fulcrum finisinc.com $20 The Fulcrum provides instant feedback for swimmers who tend to bend at the wrists. Bending at the wrist causes the Fulcrum to fall off, because you have to work to keep your wrists straight to keep them on. Several testers commented that these are uncomfortable to wear, but that they do achieve a desirable result in creating awareness of the importance of high elbows and stiff wrists. Two sizes TYR Catalyst Connect tyr.com $20 The Catalyst Connect paddles were an overall tester favorite for technique awareness, water feel, and comfort. Testers reported that they identified and promoted wrist and forearm alignment, allowed for a smooth entry, and weren t too cumbersome they were comfortable to wear. Testers attributed this to their slim design and slight flexibility, which was not noticed in the stiffer paddles. There are many options for tube attachment, and they can be worn without wrist straps as technique becomes more precise. The Connects worked well in backstroke, but most testers felt they were too big for breaststroke. Two sizes. 9 january-february 2015 /// 43

High Speed Zone 10. Speedo SMAO speedousa.

experienced sprinters who already have good technique.

already strong swimmer build power and become more assertive with the catch and turnover.

representative from Speedo attended a testing session to make recommendations.

feeling the power of the paddle, and the second half of the length was slowed down.

Any more during a single practice session was not advised for most Masters swimmers. Three sizes.

5 High Speed Zone 10. Speedo SMAO speedousa.com $40 These paddles, which testers affectionately dubbed Godzilla Paws, are for limited use by strong, experienced sprinters who already have good technique. Their size and shape necessitate an aggressive entry into the water in order to be effective, which helps an already strong swimmer build power and become more assertive with the catch and turnover. Because of the specialized nature of these paddles and the potential for injury from misuse, a representative from Speedo attended a testing session to make recommendations. During that session, testers performed a speed set of 25s, in which the first 12 1 /2 yards were swum hard, feeling the power of the paddle, and the second half of the length was slowed down. Testers did only one set of four or eight 25s. Any more during a single practice session was not advised for most Masters swimmers. Three sizes. 10 Beat your own personal best. Then brag to your buddies. Let the world know every goal you meet, every milestone you pass, and every record you shatter. Let Garmin Swim log your distance, pace, stroke count and stroke type. Then analyze the data in Garmin Connect and alert your connections when your practice has turned to personal success. Learn more at Garmin.com/swim 44 /// usms.org

Although we can become better, more efficient swimmers without any gear at all, introducing the occasional training aid can. Swim Bag: Specialty Fins

Swim Bag: Specialty Fins Product manufacturers and retailers provide the products reviewed in Swim Bag to SWIMMER at no cost. By Laura Hamel Although we can become better, more efficient swimmers without