I am trying to correct 30 years of ingrained bad habits in my crawl, and want to try paddles in order to improve my entry and catch mechanics, and as a secondary (optional) benefit, perhaps increase the functional strength of my pull.
Any suggestions?
(Yes, I know this is opening a can of worms - I accept that many people feel that paddles are not needed. I’d still like to give it a go, so if we can take this as a given, that’d be great).
Finis Freestyler. They have a fin on the bottom that forces you to enter and reach straight forward. They fall off if you don’t do it correctly.
I’ve used the tyr catalyst in the past and had some good results with them. I’d be one of those people who aren’t in love with paddles but as long as you use them sparingly you should go injury free. Good luck.
You need to get the appropriate size. When in doubt I’d recommend that you go with the smaller size.
A FOP triathlete swimmer could probably go with the size 1 strokemaker and 1 or 2 on the tyr.
fwiw, I have strokemakers in the .5 & 1 sizes. Catalyst in 2 & 3. The 3’s rip my arms apart. When I swim a decent bit, I’m exiting the water usually in the top 2-4 in my wave/ag.
I’d recommend maybe just going with a band first to help your entry/catch, then once you’ve made improvements there, then going to paddles.
Tyr Catalyst are tops in my book.
You need to get the appropriate size. When in doubt I’d recommend that you go with the smaller size.
A FOP triathlete swimmer could probably go with the size 1 strokemaker and 1 or 2 on the tyr.
fwiw, I have strokemakers in the .5 & 1 sizes. Catalyst in 2. When I swim a decent bit, I’m exiting the water usually in the top 2-4 in my wave/ag.
I’d recommend maybe just going with a band first to help your entry/catch, then once you’ve made improvements there, then going to paddles.
http://trisports.com/strokhan2.html
http://trisports.com/tyrcatpad1.html
I agree with DD on the paddles here. Strokemaker paddles size 1 (green) are great for triathletes. I started with the red ones… WAY too big.
That’s what I use too.
jaretj
Finis Forearm Fulcrum
.
I like the tyr catalyst paddles, either the blue or black ones. TYRs are the only ones I use.
Thanks, guys - just ordered the Catalyst and the Freestylers. Appreciate the help.
Strokemakers. I’ve used (almost) all of them, and I think they’re the best. And, more importantly, they are probably the paddle of choice for the biggest number of elite swimmers and coaches. They just work.
Go with Greens (sz 1).
For improving entry, etc. and not necessarily on power, I like my Speedo Biofuse finger paddles…
Strokemakers. I’ve used (almost) all of them, and I think they’re the best. And, more importantly, they are probably the paddle of choice for the biggest number of elite swimmers and coaches. They just work.
Go with Greens (sz 1).
That’s what I just picked up. Why do all of the guys, both slow and fast, all have the huge black paddles. Seems like a shoulder injury waiting to happen.
You need to get the appropriate size. When in doubt I’d recommend that you go with the smaller size.
A FOP triathlete swimmer could probably go with the size 1 strokemaker and 1 or 2 on the tyr.
fwiw, I have strokemakers in the .5 & 1 sizes. Catalyst in 2 & 3. The 3’s rip my arms apart. When I swim a decent bit, I’m exiting the water usually in the top 2-4 in my wave/ag.
I’d recommend maybe just going with a band first to help your entry/catch, then once you’ve made improvements there, then going to paddles.
http://trisports.com/strokhan2.html
http://trisports.com/tyrcatpad1.html
I use the red TYRs. They feel almost as good as grabbing on to the lane line!
dd,
When you recommend just going with a band first to help the entry/catch, do you mean an ankle band?
You need to get the appropriate size. When in doubt I’d recommend that you go with the smaller size.
A FOP triathlete swimmer could probably go with the size 1 strokemaker and 1 or 2 on the tyr.
fwiw, I have strokemakers in the .5 & 1 sizes. Catalyst in 2 & 3. The 3’s rip my arms apart. When I swim a decent bit, I’m exiting the water usually in the top 2-4 in my wave/ag.
I’d recommend maybe just going with a band first to help your entry/catch, then once you’ve made improvements there, then going to paddles.
Why do all of the guys, both slow and fast, all have the huge black paddles
b/c the vast majority of them are using the wrong size paddle. just b/c someone who is fast or slow is using a dinner plate on their hand doesn’t make it right.
do you mean an ankle band?
Yes
And, more importantly, they are probably the paddle of choice for the biggest number of elite swimmers and coaches.
That could well be b/c a lot of AG programs in the late 80’s early 90’s used them. Those swimmers are now the coaches.
I agree w/ strokemaker green size 1s. I have shoulder issues and these are the best paddles I have ever used.
tyr. Only ones worth purchasing.
Flip flops.
Cut them to size.
