Which swim toys, if any, are you using?

RE: Which swim toys, if any, are you using?

Former Member — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 15:10:02 GMT

In dedication to Fort and her love for fins www.youtube.com/watch

RE: Which swim toys, if any, are you using?

Former Member — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 14:11:22 GMT

I wonder if they used 100% O2 in those tanks? Skip Montanaro Either way thats pretty sweet.

RE: Which swim toys, if any, are you using?

The Fortress — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 12:45:09 GMT

In dedication to Fort and her love for fins www.youtube.com/watch Thanks George. Very cool. Now, I just need to learn to use my dorkle and move to Europe.

RE: Which swim toys, if any, are you using?

smontanaro — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 03:05:18 GMT

In dedication to Fort and her love for fins www.youtube.com/watch I wonder if they used 100% O2 in those tanks? Skip Montanaro

RE: Which swim toys, if any, are you using?

The Fortress — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 02:29:55 GMT

Forget about the dorkle. Get a tank and go into the distance events. This should be easy on your shoulders. Just cuz you have a dorkle disability doesn't mean I will. :thhbbb: Since I've already learned the roll over turn for IM, I can take that off my SC "to do" list and put dorkle usage on.

RE: Which swim toys, if any, are you using?

poolraat — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 01:46:18 GMT

Thanks George. Very cool. Now, I just need to learn to use my dorkle and move to Europe. Forget about the dorkle. Get a tank and go into the distance events. This should be easy on your shoulders.

RE: Which swim toys, if any, are you using?

Former Member — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 16:04:53 GMT

I have a bag of toys but my favorite is the paddles/pull buoy combo (or just paddles without the buoy). I have a locker full of fins, including several rejects that I tried and didn't like... currently I'm experimenting with the alpha zuras.

RE: Which swim toys, if any, are you using?

Former Member — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 15:07:57 GMT

RE: Which swim toys, if any, are you using?

The Fortress — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 10:57:54 GMT

OK, so what monofin is the right one? There are several to choose from (monofins at SwimOutlet.com) and they ain't cheap. Skip Montanaro Personally, and I'm not an expert on this, I would not buy the MFs for "rec" swimmers if your goal is to improve aspects of pool competition such as SDKs, etc. I also would not buy the uber-expensive one for competitive fin swimming and free diving. Those are different sports. I would go with the finis shooter or the the finis trainer #1 and #2. I own the $94 finis shooter. When I purchased it nine months ago, I'm not sure that Swim Outlet or Keifer produced the trainer #1 or #2 (?). They look new to me. They are longer and the blade is apparently stronger. I'm unsure about the additional benefit from being longer for streamlining and SDKs. I think my MF is great for those purposes. But perhaps it depends on your height to some degree? Just my opinion. I bought my MF on my own and have been experimenting with it on my own with little input. For some reason, not many people use them -- perhaps because they're not incorporated in the typical masters practice? (I largely train on my own.) To get an expert view, you'd really need the input of a USA-S coach who really focuses on SDKs, fly or underwater swimming. All I can say, anecdotally, is that it seems to have helped my backstroke starts (all starts really), underwater work and core/leg strength. At my last meet, I took 14 SDKs on my backstroke start. But then my best two strokes are fly and back, so SDKs are really important. And I know, after experimentation, that I am faster doing underwater SDKs. Plus, I just like the MF cuz it's fun. I need variety in my workouts, and it provides that. Can't be hammering away at my shoulders all the time. One cautionary note: They are, as Ann notes above, very powerful. My feet were used to fins first, so the MF seemed pretty natural. I also have no back or knee problems. My team coach, who never uses fins, tried the MF once. It killed her. She hurt muscles in the top of her feet and had trouble wearing shoes for a few days. Some people get blisters. So they might require a period of adaptation. Sometimes, when I do a lot of underwater shooters, where you're kicking down as forcefully and rapidly as possible, my shins feel it. It gives me the vague sensation of shin splints, although I do run a bit too.

RE: Which swim toys, if any, are you using?

smontanaro — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 08:45:23 GMT

OK, so what monofin is the right one? There are several to choose from (monofins at SwimOutlet.com) and they ain't cheap. Skip Montanaro

RE: Which swim toys, if any, are you using?

Former Member — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 05:28:22 GMT

RE: Which swim toys, if any, are you using?

A.K. — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 05:04:42 GMT

Water Wings :party2:

RE: Which swim toys, if any, are you using?

AnnG — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 04:47:03 GMT

I tried a monofin once and with the first kick I did a faceplant into the bottom of the pool - whoa! Be careful what direction you are pointed because its powerful - once I got the hang of kicking it was really fun and fast . . . I am guilty of using just about every toy on the list at least once or twice. I don't use a pull buoy though as I no longer need flotation for my thighs . . .

RE: Which swim toys, if any, are you using?

The Fortress — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 03:50:52 GMT

Another question about the Monofin...how do you turn? Obviously a flip turn, but can you still push off the wall with that big fin on? I've found some video and my lord, it looks SO FUN, but it only shows the length and not the turn. I have never seen anyone use this at my pool. Does it complicate circle swimming? Does it intrigue and intimidate others? Is it better suited to open water than lap swim? It seems so exciting. Please tell me more! Here is a thread discussing monofins, which also references other threads discussing monofins and fins: forums.usms.org/showthread.php I don't circle swim with monofins. Usually just use it when I'm swimming solo and have a lane to myself. It seems to frighten people away, so I often have a lane to myself. I often get a lot of questions about what it is and how to use it. I don't know about OW. Doesn't seem like it would help you swim there. Monofins generally help with SDKs, streamlining, etc. On the monofin thread above, other uses are discussed. I have no problem with using in for SCY. I learned how to flip pretty quickly with it. I never do open turns. I think LC, you could easily circle swim with it because everyone is much more spread out. I use it for speed workouts and SDK practice. I do a lot of underwater shooters with it. I do four point kicking on my back, front, left side and right side. I'll do sets of 50s and sometimes 100s with it. I'll do BR drills and fly drills, but not full stroke fly. It's fun. I did mermaid workout today. Spent about half the workout underwater, doing a lot of fly, back, SDKs and underwater kicking. Just make sure to do some kicking without the MF too! I think it's helped improve my SDKs on fly, back and free and strengthened my core. Sometimes it feels like a weight workout. Give it a whirl! There are several different types of MFs too. I use the finis shooter. Oh, but don't drop it on your toes or feet. You might need stitches!

RE: Which swim toys, if any, are you using?

Former Member — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 13:06:45 GMT

I *own* quite a few of these toys, but rarely use them. My knees hurt after using fins, paddles make my shoulders ache, and I hate kickboards with a passion. I have no objections to pullbuoys, but I don't seem to have quite gotten the hang of using them effectively. With a club, I'll go along with pull/kick sets, although on I still haven't quite figured out how to push a board and I always look damned silly trying. On my own, I guess I'm a purist out of pure cluelessness.

RE: Which swim toys, if any, are you using?

Former Member — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 13:00:40 GMT

Morgan, if those are the paddles you use I would recommend taking the rear strap off and just using your fingers to hold the paddle....the reason is, that rear strap tends to be used as a cheat strap....by leaving it on you are able to cheat your stroke by pulling your hand out early. If you take that strap off and start swimming and it gets pulled off you are not pushing all the way through on your stroke. This will correct that pretty quick.....after having to retrieve your paddles a few times down the lane you'll realize what you are doing. My old high school coach would make us take the strap off completely so we couldn't use it at all. I took the wrist strap this morning at your advice...and to my surprise I was just fine without the wrist strap! Thanks for the suggestion--wouldn't want to be :cane:-ing my way through practice!!:D

RE: Which swim toys, if any, are you using?

Former Member — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 11:55:08 GMT

I just use Zoomers. So about this Monofin...is it really as insanely fun as it looks like it might be? I can just see myself wanting to use it all the time, screaming "I'M A MERMAID! I'M A MERMAID!" alot.

RE: Which swim toys, if any, are you using?

The Fortress — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 08:06:04 GMT

So about this Monofin...is it really as insanely fun as it looks like it might be? I can just see myself wanting to use it all the time, screaming "I'M A MERMAID! I'M A MERMAID!" alot. Yes, you nailed it! It's exactly like that!! :groovy: (I do have to restrain myself.)

RE: Which swim toys, if any, are you using?

Former Member — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 14:03:24 GMT

RE: Which swim toys, if any, are you using?

Former Member — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 12:59:39 GMT

I am a purist. An awful lot of users here. I did use a crutch for the trip home from the Hospital after my knee operation. Then a cane for a few days and threw it a way. I think all of you crutch users (swim toys) should throw them away. I have a crutch - I wear googles for training but not when I race. I did wear googles when I swam the marathons.

RE: Which swim toys, if any, are you using?

Former Member — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 12:46:24 GMT

Question about fistgloves.I do fist swimming drills often,but figured I could make a fist for free without paying for gloves.Am I missing something? Essentially, you are correct, however, two points to mention: 1) When you make a fist you must tense your muscles to keep your fist closed. With fistgloves you can pretty much relax your muscles and the fistglove will keep your hand closed. It makes it easier to concentrate on whatever you are working on. 2) Having your hand covered like that really takes away most of the sense of feeling for the water, unlike with a closed fist. (It's also easier to "cheat" with a closed fist.) When you take it off, it feels like your hands are 3 times their normal size and the feel for the water is amazing. I really love the things. -LBJ

RE: Which swim toys, if any, are you using?

Former Member — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 12:39:54 GMT

Yeah--that sentence didn't really come out the way I was hoping it too...I guess I meant--the people who use fins or toys to make their practices easier in general--or if I were to put on fins at the beginning of practice--just in case my shoulders might hurt at the end of practice if I don't put them on?:drown:

RE: Which swim toys, if any, are you using?

The Fortress — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 12:06:40 GMT

You're using them for a purpose rather than as a crutch (like when I throw on fins to save my shoulders) they can really be beneficial. Using fins to save your shoulders is not a "crutch." :dedhorse: Peg: Forgot about the knees. Yes, you might need that ole pull buoy.

RE: Which swim toys, if any, are you using?

Former Member — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:22:06 GMT

The last season or two I havent really used too many toys--just fins (zoomers normally) when coach made us, or when my shoulders were really beat. However, this season i have tried to incorporate toys into my workouts a little more because I think that if your using them for a purpose rather than as a crutch (like when I throw on fins to save my shoulders) they can really be beneficial. I use Kiefer's Stroke Perfection Hand Paddles--they are very small paddles that really help put the emphasis on the correct stroke form--while not being rough on the shoulders (even the worse shoulders). I think they have really helped me to get the feel and muscle memory for the straight arm underwater pull--and away from the "S" pull underwater. I use them for at least 300 yards a practice right now--hopefully as it becomes more of a habit when I don't use the paddles I will reduce how much I use them. I don't normally use a kickboard, but if I do, the only one I will use is the Kiefer Classic kick board--it's awesome for people who have shoulder issues as well. And it's hand holds are in a manner that doesn't make using it a walk in the park--it still forces the swimmer to keep their core tight. And I use the finis swimmer's snorkel once in a while--probably not as often as I should but maybe 1-2 times every week. I use a pull buoy when my shoulders are feeling good, or when I need to concentrate on my arm placement--but I feel I get better body roll and movement if I just drag my legs without the buoy. 680 681 682

RE: Which swim toys, if any, are you using?

Muppet — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 12:14:35 GMT

I'll be using a LOT of pull bouy this year!!