Paddle help!

Below is what finis writes about thier Freestyler Hand Paddles Do you think it's true or not? Patented skeg technology teaches proper freestyle technique with instantaneous results. The Freestyler is the only hand paddle designed specifically for freestyle. With its unique shape and design, swimmers can improve the more technical aspects of their freestyle stroke during daily training. Benefits such as high elbows, maximum extension, proper hand position and entry will be a natural and instant result of using the Freestyler hand paddle. This patented skeg design uses the same principles of a surfboard. With proper hand entry, the skeg channels the hand forward for maximum extension with every stroke. This paddle is not designed for resistance and strength training, but is intended as a training aid to improve technique and efficiency. www.finisinc.com/products-tr-handpaddles.shtml If we do away with the advertising speak"will be a natural and instant result " (I mean come on...puhlease...that's like saying as set of Ping golf clubs with their superior aerodynamic design will instantly produce a better golf swing:rolleyes:) they might acually be quite useful. They seem to be constructed less for resistance and more for forward hand entry. Interesting. Still it is going to be difficult to say one way or the other without trying them. Just don't expect any miraculous results: that's all. Syd

natural and instant result of using the Freestyler hand paddle. This patented skeg design uses the same principles of a surfboard. With proper hand entry, the skeg channels the hand forward for maximum extension with every stroke. This paddle is not designed for resistance and strength training, but is intended as a training aid to improve technique and efficiency. QUOTE] Natural and instant result, WOW! Not designed for strength training, NO KIDDING? Intended as a training aid to improve technique and efficiency? WHOSE TECHNIQUE? Where do I sign up? For the cuckoo's nest that is. "The stars are aligned, the gods are maligned, it is better to give than receive." Neil Peart

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 have a pair of Freestyler paddles, and they are very good. The "instant" improvement thing is misleading (duh!). The design of this paddle makes you use a flat hand entry (rather than thumb first), and if used properly they can improve your stroke. Again, this is the design of the paddle. They're only strapped on to one finger, so people with bad form, used to wearing paddles strapped on the fingers & the wrist whave found this paddle frustrating. It moves around on you if your form is not good. On the other hand, these can only be used for freestyle (again due to the design), so if you only want one pair of paddles in your bag, the Freestyler is not the right paddle to use.

One aspect of paddles that helps me (or at least it did in the past) was to help me get a better feel for a clean entry and exit with my hands. And also to provide feedback on when I was just skimming my finger tips over the water on recovery. When I felt the tip of the paddles dig, I knew I was at the proper height. But even when I was younger and dumber (OK, younger), I used padddles sparingly. And only as a training aid. But in all cases YMMV, just make sure you actually LISTEN to what your body tells you. Paul

i've been using hand paddles for years, both the old square red ones in college in the 80s, and now for the various Tyr and Strokemaker ones for about 10 years as a masters swimmer (i'm soon to be 41). I like to use them for a set of maybe 900 to 1000 yards, maybe during some hypox work. They really let concentrate on stroke form and also distance per stroke. Paddles aren't for everyone. If you can use them, and they help, they do it. If they don't help, then don't bother. I'm like that with pull buoys. Never liked them, they make me swim like crap and throw my stroke off like crazy. I would rather let me legs just drag on their own that use a buoy, ymmv.

I have checked out all kinds of paddles and have found this one to be the best. It has solved the sore shoulder and sore muscle problem that is so evident in all of the other paddles www.early-vertical-forearm.com/

In my experience good freestyle is about being long and strong. I have always found that paddles allow me to work on both. I agree with all the comments about bad form leading to injury, but when used correctly they are awesome.

Does anyone have views/ experience on using the finis agility ones to improve catch technique? did it work? I love them, use them a lot and primarily to reinforce good technique. I like to combine them with the FINIS snorkel. And as an extra-special bonus, the paddles & snorkel are color-coordinated...

I definitely agree with Paul and Chris. Paddles are great for stroke work, getting the feel for doing it right. You need to take off the wrist band and have the finger band loose. This way they will come off if you do the stroke incorrectly. When I coach, I tell my swimmers that bad technique causes shoulder problems. If you strap on paddles tightly and continue with the same stroke, you will get shoulder problems even faster. Keep the paddles loose and think when you use them. To keep them on, you must have pressure on the water. Go slowly at first. It should improve your stroke.