Contoured paddles vs. Flat paddles

RE: Contoured paddles vs. Flat paddles

Former Member — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 10:37:06 GMT

Reviving a zoombie thread... The OP asked for comparison between contoured paddles and flat ones, the replies were turned into paddles vs. no paddles. I have the OP's question in mind: Flat vs. contoured (ergonomic). I have a pair of contoured ones, which are very comfortable to use. But the standard ones seem to be the flat ones. Are there specific advantages of the flat ones?

RE: Contoured paddles vs. Flat paddles

knelson — Thu, 16 Mar 2006 03:33:12 GMT

Originally posted by Dobbie By the way the I beleive the best paddles in Australia are imported from USA.I can't remember the brand but they come in sizes,yellow,red,blue and green.In that order of size I think. I believe you're talking about Strokemaker paddles. Yeah, I like 'em too and use the blue ones.

RE: Contoured paddles vs. Flat paddles

Former Member — Wed, 15 Mar 2006 11:39:03 GMT

By the way the I beleive the best paddles in Australia are imported from USA.I can't remember the brand but they come in sizes,yellow,red,blue and green.In that order of size I think. They are flat adjustable with many wholes.Contoured paddles distort the feel for water.Speedo make both contoured and flat paddles so either they dont know which are best or what I suspect is that because the contoured ones look more modern they sell better.I've used flat ones ,tried the others and returned to flat ones.Most people would be size yellowand a very good swimmer red.Size should be about strength not hand size.The stronger you get the larger the SA of the paddle.

RE: Contoured paddles vs. Flat paddles

Former Member — Wed, 15 Mar 2006 11:30:09 GMT

Fishgrrl is on the right track here. My advice to people who haven't corrected their technique by age 35 years is not to ever use paddles.If your technique is wrong you will do damage but not as much damage as swimming with poor technique does. We all make fun of Toys (crutches).I beleive kick boards and large fins are just that ,crutches.Paddles & buoys are also crutches however they have a purpose.Using the the paddles allows greater feel or pressure on the stroke and can enhance the stroke if the pressure is applied correctly at the back end of the stroke.That is a gentle entry and catch with a firm push at the end.The paddles also give more thrust which gives the swimmer more time between each stroke to focus and get it right.This will not do the kind of damage described.Shoulder damage will come from low elbows(which why people clip hands when passing) and placing pressure too early. At the end of the day we are all wearing ourselves out.The poor technique will do it faster.We call paddle freaks who use them all the time "chalky shoulders" .Dont use them when fatigued ,for long sets or very hard sprints unless you have really good technique.They do build strength as well.

RE: Contoured paddles vs. Flat paddles

Former Member — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 12:49:02 GMT

Originally posted by aquageek I firmly believe that all you gain by using paddles is the ability to use paddles. I have yet to see paddles that improve real stroking. I found that after a pull set I had to re-adjust my stroke for the next real set without paddles. I used those TYR catalyst as well many years ago. Other than being useful for lacerating lane mates, they were of no value for stroke improvement. Triathletes seem to be the primary consumer of paddles. I wonder if the paddles were perhaps correcting your stroke. Then you had to go bad and make it how it was before being corrected.

RE: Contoured paddles vs. Flat paddles

aquageek — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 12:32:50 GMT

Why are you using paddles in the first place?

RE: Contoured paddles vs. Flat paddles

Former Member — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 11:23:11 GMT

Dear Scotch Drinker: But I DO practice at race pace without paddles! I never use paddles on timed sets, which we have at least once a week, because that's when they defeat the purpose. You're right - we don't use them in a real race, so why use them (like that) in practice - I'm totally on the same page with you on that one. However, I also believe that there is a time and place for me to use paddles, and I've benefited tremendously from them. I swim with folks who use fins all the time and I know that that can't be helpful, but what are ya gonna say? Take your freakin' fins off? As long as they don't ride my butt, I'm OK with it. Anyway...

RE: Contoured paddles vs. Flat paddles

Former Member — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 11:13:22 GMT

Originally posted by aztimm I swam with another masters group last week, and was surprised at all the 'toys' people had on deck (tough to get in/out of the pool it was so bad). The coach actually had sets where parts were pulling (with paddles), kicking (with fins), and some with both. Since I was just visiting and was lucky to have a suit and goggles (and my hotel towel), I just swam the whole thing, and did some kicking with just arms out front. Like I said earlier, at my home pool I have my stuff in a mesh bag on deck, in case I need/want to use it. Even for long kick sets I rarely wear fins; used to all the time and was just not improving my kick. A good coach we recently got on my team has helped me improve my kick tremendously (no fins). That is pretty funny...the part about being difficult to get in and out of the pool due to the surplus of crap on deck! Those people probably thought you were some old school swimmer missing out on all of the latest aquatic trickery. If they only knew..... I have always avoided fins and pull buoys because I was afraid to become reliant upon them. As I stated above I do use a kickboard when the mood strikes me but I don't make a habit of it.

RE: Contoured paddles vs. Flat paddles

Former Member — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 11:09:50 GMT

Originally posted by HHowland It lets you feel how it is to swim that fast. Closer to race pace swimming. Do you ever use fins, paddles, kick boards or pull bouys? I swim at or near race pace every couple of workouts, sans crutches. I feel the need to replicate a race pace in a workout with the same extras I have during a race...which is just a Jammer. This way I feel much more at home in a race because I swim this way once or twice a week...no biggie. The only extra I ever use in a workout is a kickboard, and that is a rarity. Most of my kicking is done on my back since it is easier on my shoulders.

RE: Contoured paddles vs. Flat paddles

Former Member — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 10:46:11 GMT

You purist you! :--) I suppose you drink your coffee black and your whisky straight, with no ice.... I still give props to paddles; they've helped my stroke and I will continue to use them, no matter how much you make fun of them or diss them or whatever. You certainly don't have to use them, as that is your right. But I will continue to use pool toys, as encouraged by our coach: I will use fins, I will use paddles, but you won't catch me with a floater between my legs.... I cannot argue with you, as you are set against paddles and no matter what anyone tells you, you will not "listen." That's OK by me; that's part of what makes this forum so much fun!

RE: Contoured paddles vs. Flat paddles

Former Member — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 10:24:20 GMT

That's why they're called T-R-A-I-N-I-N-G E-Q-U-I-P-M-E-N-T and it flys both ways - just because YOU don't think they're worth a "hoot" doesn't mean that someone else doesn't find them helpful and effective. I don't feel any stress on my shoulder when I use them, but I know that some people do, and our coach discourages them from using paddles.

RE: Contoured paddles vs. Flat paddles

Former Member — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 10:00:04 GMT

I see a lot of people using paddles at our pool but I just don't really see a need. Is it to build strength? I also see people swimming sets with fins on. What is up with that? I prefer to train like I race. For better or for worse, that is my decision. I'll keep checking back...I'm interested to see what benefits these crutches provide.

RE: Contoured paddles vs. Flat paddles

Former Member — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 09:50:34 GMT

Wrong again! Different things work for different people. Our coach has us use them for certain parts of our workout. Also, my surgery was not swimming related; it was running related! lol. I tripped on a crack in the sidewalk (years ago) and it never really healed correctly, which is one of the reasons I prefer water sports.

RE: Contoured paddles vs. Flat paddles

aquageek — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 09:24:45 GMT

Originally posted by knelson I have yet to see a major league pitcher throw a 60 mph pitch, yet most major leaguers take batting practice against pitches like that. Likewise, body builders can't use dumbbells during a competition, yet I imagine most of them workout using weights. I'll give you credit for this, hard to argue with it.

RE: Contoured paddles vs. Flat paddles

Former Member — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 09:20:12 GMT

Wrong! I began using paddles after I had shoulder surgery this summer and they've helped me inprove my freestyle stroke tremendously. Because I don't wear the hand (wrist) strap, I am forced to focus on a smooth hand entry and pull, which takes the pressure off my shoulder and engages the proper swimming muscles. Sometimes I'll swim part of a set with paddles, and part of the set without them; I always notice that after I use the paddles, I become much more conscious of how my hand enters the water, etc.

RE: Contoured paddles vs. Flat paddles

Former Member — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 07:22:37 GMT

Geek, you have something against orthopedic surgeons? I would say use the larger ones if you're really in a hurry to damage your rotator cuff.

RE: Contoured paddles vs. Flat paddles

knelson — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 07:01:06 GMT

Originally posted by aquageek I have yet to see a meet where there is a paddle race. I have yet to see a major league pitcher throw a 60 mph pitch, yet most major leaguers take batting practice against pitches like that. Likewise, body builders can't use dumbbells during a competition, yet I imagine most of them workout using weights.

RE: Contoured paddles vs. Flat paddles

aquageek — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 06:12:33 GMT

My strokes are far from perfect, I like my coffee with cream and scotch over ice, no whisky. But, back to swimming. Why not swim at race pace without paddles? So, in a real race you are at a disadvantage cause you only know race pace swimming with paddles. I do occasionally use a pull buoy when I'm gassed. I use fins when snorkeling or scuba diving and paddles when digging sand castles with my kids.

RE: Contoured paddles vs. Flat paddles

FlyQueen — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 05:57:23 GMT

Geek, I assume that all four strokes or yours are perfect and will continue to be perfect forever. Paddles serve their purpose and obviously many swimmers like them. There are plenty of elite swimmers that use paddles all the time. They build strength, as well as allow you to feel where you are slipping in the water. Since my shoulder problems I haven't put a pair on and won't for another few months. There is also something to be said for any training aid that helps you swim faster. It lets you feel how it is to swim that fast. Closer to race pace swimming. Do you ever use fins, paddles, kick boards or pull bouys?

RE: Contoured paddles vs. Flat paddles

aquageek — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 05:31:52 GMT

So, with the knowledge, directly from your coach, that they encourage or increase the chance of injury and the fact that you acknowledge you only use proper swimming muscles when using your paddles, you chose to use them anyway? And, Betsy, why spend all that time learning how to swim with paddles when you could use the time to actually improve your real stroke? My daughter had training wheels on her bike but once she learned how to ride we took them off.

RE: Contoured paddles vs. Flat paddles

aztimm — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 05:28:54 GMT

Originally posted by scyfreestyler I see a lot of people using paddles at our pool but I just don't really see a need. Is it to build strength? I also see people swimming sets with fins on. What is up with that? I prefer to train like I race. For better or for worse, that is my decision. I swam with another masters group last week, and was surprised at all the 'toys' people had on deck (tough to get in/out of the pool it was so bad). The coach actually had sets where parts were pulling (with paddles), kicking (with fins), and some with both. Since I was just visiting and was lucky to have a suit and goggles (and my hotel towel), I just swam the whole thing, and did some kicking with just arms out front. Like I said earlier, at my home pool I have my stuff in a mesh bag on deck, in case I need/want to use it. Even for long kick sets I rarely wear fins; used to all the time and was just not improving my kick. A good coach we recently got on my team has helped me improve my kick tremendously (no fins).

RE: Contoured paddles vs. Flat paddles

Betsy — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 05:26:40 GMT

I agree with Fishgrrl. Paddles have improved my freestyle, primarily the catch. Many years ago my coach "suggested" we take off the wrist strap. And of course, no holding the paddles with your thumb and little finger. With no wrist strap, you have to keep your had in position to have pressure from the water, or it comes off. When it slips, it hurts the finger where the strap is. I made the most improvement when I alternated swims in a set. When I was learning, I'd do odds with paddles and evens without, trying to get the same feel for the water. I am coaching now and always tell my swimmers that if you have to hold the paddle on, you are doing it wrong and are risking injury. I think paddles should be diagnostic.

RE: Contoured paddles vs. Flat paddles

aquageek — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 05:16:41 GMT

Originally posted by Fishgrrl Wrong again! What am I wrong about? Just because you like them doesn't mean they are worth a hoot. This is what I don't get about paddles. Let's say they do improve stroke technique. At some point you should not need them anymore so why keep on using them? If you have proper technique then using paddles is a sure fire way to put undue stress on your shoulder with no other benefit. You say paddles force you to use "proper swimming muscles." If you are only using those muscles when using paddles then you have bad stroke technique when not using paddles, and, by default, paddles are not improving this. You should use proper swimming muscles when swimming all the time and not just when you use the paddles. I have yet to see a meet where there is a paddle race.

RE: Contoured paddles vs. Flat paddles

aquageek — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 04:37:59 GMT

Good coaching and proper technique would have done the same thing and you would have avoided the shoulder surgery (provided it was swimming related). Why can't you focus on proper hand position and smooth swimming without paddles? Paddles are aquatic crutches.

RE: Contoured paddles vs. Flat paddles

aquageek — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 04:12:54 GMT

I firmly believe that all you gain by using paddles is the ability to use paddles. I have yet to see paddles that improve real stroking. I found that after a pull set I had to re-adjust my stroke for the next real set without paddles. I used those TYR catalyst as well many years ago. Other than being useful for lacerating lane mates, they were of no value for stroke improvement. Triathletes seem to be the primary consumer of paddles.