In the “Readers Ask” section on page 11 of the latest issue of USMS Swimmer (as shown on the home page of this site), there is a question about the use of paddles.
The reply (from Randy Nutt of the Boca and Gold Coast Masters) says something to the effect that “……..Paddles increase distance per stroke and enable the swimmer to achieve some very fast speeds in a work out”.
As I’ve said repeatedly, the main problem in swimming is how to get more propulsion –not reduce drag- and paddles and flippers provide the most drastic improvement in speed.
So here’s the $64,000 question: If FINA allows the use of so called tech suits which increase speed by purportedly reducing drag, why aren’t paddles and flippers (which increase speed through enhanced propulsion) also allowed? :confused:
Dolphin 2
(BTW, I am no faster with paddles than without. The increase in DPS is almost exactly compensated by the decrease in turnover.)
Chris...I find the same thing when I use the TYR paddles which I almost always use along with a snorkel (and fins at times) for longer recovery/aerobic swims. If swimmers can pull substantially faster with paddles like this than without I usually explain to them that they most likely have a tendeancy to drop their elbow when swimming which the paddles will correct for...and that they will most likely never achieve substantial break throughs in their times if they keep pull everything (same for fin addicts).
I do however ues a small set of the old square paddles with holes in them and smaller fins for power work...something I picked up from Nick Brunelli years ago. The fins allow race speeds and elevae the body position, the smaller paddles allow fast turnover the combination is in my opinion far better resistance training than one can get in the gym. Also a lot of "fun" to use the same set-up with power racks, bungee's and/or parachutes.
As for FINA allowing speed suits and not fins and paddles...I'm all for having an "open" division that allows anything to be used if thats what you want...why don't you petition them and try and get it going Dolphin2?
(BTW, I am no faster with paddles than without. The increase in DPS is almost exactly compensated by the decrease in turnover.)
Chris...I find the same thing when I use the TYR paddles which I almost always use along with a snorkel (and fins at times) for longer recovery/aerobic swims. If swimmers can pull substantially faster with paddles like this than without I usually explain to them that they most likely have a tendeancy to drop their elbow when swimming which the paddles will correct for...and that they will most likely never achieve substantial break throughs in their times if they keep pull everything (same for fin addicts).
I do however ues a small set of the old square paddles with holes in them and smaller fins for power work...something I picked up from Nick Brunelli years ago. The fins allow race speeds and elevae the body position, the smaller paddles allow fast turnover the combination is in my opinion far better resistance training than one can get in the gym. Also a lot of "fun" to use the same set-up with power racks, bungee's and/or parachutes.
As for FINA allowing speed suits and not fins and paddles...I'm all for having an "open" division that allows anything to be used if thats what you want...why don't you petition them and try and get it going Dolphin2?
