Fins, kickboards, pull buoys, etc.--how important?

Former Member
Former Member
I don't use these often, and I wonder if one can become a good swimmer without them? I think of folks who grew up near water and are "natural" good swimmers; I'm sure they didn't need these tools to learn swimming? Nothing wrong with using them, but I don't seem to have the patience to use them. Today I just kicked across the pool without kickboard and it felt fine.:agree: Can't we improving the kicks without using the kickboard? Samethoughts about the fins and pull buoys... Am I missing something?
Parents
  • I use fins a lot. I think they develop ankle and foot flexibility more efficiently than swimming or kicking without fins, and they build kicking strength as well. Another reason to use fins is the extra speed, which helps me get a feel for race pace and streamlining. Lately I use fins a lot for freestyle but not butterfly. I own a big pair of paddles, but I stopped using them because they put too much stress on my shoulders and elbows. I agree with knelson, though. You can get really fast without any equipment. This pretty much sums up my view. except that I do fly with fins. I use kickboards infrequently, but sometimes they're a nice change of pace. I use them for flutter kicking mostly.
Reply
  • I use fins a lot. I think they develop ankle and foot flexibility more efficiently than swimming or kicking without fins, and they build kicking strength as well. Another reason to use fins is the extra speed, which helps me get a feel for race pace and streamlining. Lately I use fins a lot for freestyle but not butterfly. I own a big pair of paddles, but I stopped using them because they put too much stress on my shoulders and elbows. I agree with knelson, though. You can get really fast without any equipment. This pretty much sums up my view. except that I do fly with fins. I use kickboards infrequently, but sometimes they're a nice change of pace. I use them for flutter kicking mostly.
Children
No Data