This past year (my first doing triathlons), I haven’t done a whole lot in the way of swim training. I’ve been lucky to get to the pool for an hour a week. And, in that time, I’ve mostly concentrated on form, breathing and endurance.
Unfortunately, this lack of swim training has shown in my swim splits. For example, a typical 500m race split is ~9:00. Definitely room for improvement.
Using the Triathlete’s Training Bible as a source, I’m coming up with a Training Plan for next season, and one of my emphasis areas will be swimming. And, one of the key areas for improvement will be in Force (along with learning to do a flip turn and working on my bilateral breathing).
So, for someone with my limited swimming background, having never used either paddles or fins, what would you recommend (ie. paddle model/size, fin model)?
and I still stand by my positive drive fins as the best fins I’ve used for positioning, power and comfort. Doug Stern had us using forearm paddles in Curacao. They had an interesting effect on my form. Plus they really helped me “feel” what my arms were doing in the water. PM him for more info. Good luck!
Try doing a search (here) for posts on regular hand paddles.
I use these fins we sell in our store that have these two little ribs on either side. I love these things. They are like mini-SCUBA fins. They are super powerful, fit in a small backpack and fit very well. They also don’t chew up your feet.
They won some Australian design award. I can’t think of the name of them for the life of me. There are, like, 20 pairs on the sales floor here. If you’re interested I’ll investigate.
because this is the only paddle out there that actually improves your stroke. it is attached to your hand in only one spot. if your stroke is bad (the entry and the pull and the exit), you are immediately forced to correct it, as the paddle tries to come off your hand. if your stroke is good, the paddle stays glued to your hand like velcro.
try 'em. they are cheap and the best for people that actually want to learn how to swim faster (amazingly, this is not the majority of swimmers).
absolutely, yes. probably the only swimmers that don’t really need them are those that can swim 1,500 meters in under 15 minutes.
but if you are a very advanced swimmer or very big male, there is also a bigger version of these special paddles. but the one i linked to above is one that i used for over 10 years, now i use the bigger version.
all of them helped me vastly. i started out as a back of the pack swimmer. now i am an off the front of the pack swimmer.
cool. thanks. i’ll order a pair…any help is always good! i’ll just get the regular pair because I’m not a very good swimming and i’m not very big or a male! thanks for the info!
my wife also uses these paddles (regular size). she loves 'em and has improved here stroke a lot because of them. it will take you just a bit of time to get used to them. but while you are adjusting and getting used to them, your stoke will improve.
All I will say is re: paddles… be careful. Improperly used, paddles can cause more problems than the fix, and can lead to shoulder problems if they are overused, especially if you have a less than perfect stroke.
Go with the smallest paddles you can find, and if you get a model with a wristband, take the wristband off. That will force you to swim with good technique, as if you don’t swim properly the paddles will rip themselves off your hand.
I’ve made my feelings on fins known before. I really don’t think they have any place in a swim program, and no coach I ever had endorsed the use of fins. I can see some limited value for fins if you have extremely inflexible ankles, but otherwise, avoid them.
Doug Stern had us using forearm paddles in Curacao. They had an interesting effect on my form. Plus they really helped me “feel” what my arms were doing in the water. PM him for more info. Good luck!