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

I rationalize my use of toys on two grounds, one, they help me to concentrate on and learn skills that would be difficult to get right in whole stroke swimming, and two, they allow me to practice things more times than I could manage without them. For example, I can do a lot more fly with fins than I could hope to do without so I can practice doing the right movements and get the components and timing correct and do many repetitions of correct movements until they become automatic. Fins also allow me to practice more lengths swimming at a faster pace than I could without them. In theory, if you have difficulty making a good catch and breathing at the same time, if you practice the catch with the snorkel until a good catch is completely automatic then you can add breathing without losing your catch. Sort of like learning to ride a unicycle and learning to juggle before you learn to juggle while riding a unicycle. That's my theory anyway.

No toys for me. I used them as a child. I think about using fins for kicking sets, but then I wouldn't be able to cheat. I swim with one wag who swears that his fins don't make him any faster. He throws them on on long or difficult sets. He is the main reason why I won't use fins. Silly huh?

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 also sometimes do easy kicking with a kickboard to relax/cooldown, just because that's the easiest form of swimming. 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.

Thanks for all your replies. I get some comfort that I'm not the only one that doesn't use much these training aids. Jim's comments make a lot of sense to me. I do enjoy using the fins when I'm tired and want to take a rest by having some easy rides with the fins :D , however I think fins are better suited for Olympic sized pools. Once I used the fins backstroking in a 25m pool, just a few strokes I was at the other end and almost hit someone in front of me.

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.

There was no poll answer option for I never use them, but that would be my answer. I don't use kickboards or buoys because I think both promote the "Arms Dept - Legs Dept" concept of swimming. I have a deep belief in the benefits of integration and avoid practicing in ways that promote dis-integration. I tried to simplify the poll, so in the options "rarely" was meant to include "never" :). I absolutely agree with you on the importance of integration. I think the most efficient way to swim any style is to be found in the perfect coordination of all parts of the body, including arms, legs, hips, shoulders and head. When all are in their right positions at any given moment, especially during the propulsion phase, you feel like flying on the water with little effort.