HI all. I need help deciding what paddles to use. I just bought TYR Catalyst paddles size S. I am a male, 23 years old, weigh 150 and swim about 3-4 times a week. I would say that I am intermediate. Basically, I feel that the paddles provide too much resistance for me. Although, the Small size is what it recommened. I have no experience with paddles so I am un sure of how they are suppposed to feel. I am afriad that if I move a size smaller, my hands might be slightly too big for it. The XS is recommended for for males and females 11-12 years old. I am in a bind so any help would be appreciated!!!! Regards, Cliff :)
Parents
Former Member
I totally believe in the use of paddles, it has done alot to help me correct my strokes especially my fly. Figuring out how to swim fly with paddles correctly took me serveral laps to get my rhythm down. Now my stroke looks and feels 100% better.
I have several pairs of various shapes and sizes and each one serves a purpose. I use a smaller flat rectangular speedo paddle for fly and ***. A more curves paddle for back and free. Closer to taper time I have a really small curved speedo paddle smaller than the size of my hand.
At first I only used paddles for freestyle and my improvement was tremendous in the distance events. I had read that Shirley used to use paddles all the time and so did I. I still do, but not as much on freestyle, more on the other strokes.
The key to paddles is to use proper form.
Quite agree Donna. And thanks for your suggestion about using them for fly. I do a set of 25's with them on every now and again and it forces you to be very aware of your hand entry and pull. I also fully agree with your final statement: The key to paddles is to use proper form. You need to have perfect form otherwise you run the risk of injury. I like to use paddles for resistance training. I usually do a set of 10 x 100 free and practice concentrating on a high elbow position and feeling that pull right from the catch all the way to the release. By the end of the set my forearms are aching. I feel my speed has improved a lot since using paddles but I use them judiciously and certainly not every practice.
Syd
I totally believe in the use of paddles, it has done alot to help me correct my strokes especially my fly. Figuring out how to swim fly with paddles correctly took me serveral laps to get my rhythm down. Now my stroke looks and feels 100% better.
I have several pairs of various shapes and sizes and each one serves a purpose. I use a smaller flat rectangular speedo paddle for fly and ***. A more curves paddle for back and free. Closer to taper time I have a really small curved speedo paddle smaller than the size of my hand.
At first I only used paddles for freestyle and my improvement was tremendous in the distance events. I had read that Shirley used to use paddles all the time and so did I. I still do, but not as much on freestyle, more on the other strokes.
The key to paddles is to use proper form.
Quite agree Donna. And thanks for your suggestion about using them for fly. I do a set of 25's with them on every now and again and it forces you to be very aware of your hand entry and pull. I also fully agree with your final statement: The key to paddles is to use proper form. You need to have perfect form otherwise you run the risk of injury. I like to use paddles for resistance training. I usually do a set of 10 x 100 free and practice concentrating on a high elbow position and feeling that pull right from the catch all the way to the release. By the end of the set my forearms are aching. I feel my speed has improved a lot since using paddles but I use them judiciously and certainly not every practice.
Syd
