Kickboard recommendation

RE: Kickboard recommendation

Patrick W. Brundage — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 08:45:37 GMT

I got a snorkel, but I never was comfortable using it. Granted, I'm too used to taking breaths by lifting my face slightly. But breathing through the snorkel got me panicked too many times. Finally, I decided that as a tool it just wasn't working for me. I could be persuaded to try again, but I like breathing--and I like it to be a more direct process than what happens when I use a snorkel. And water comes through which means I'm doing something wrong. Had a small kickboard but it didn't work out, so I gave it to someone who was looking for that type of kickboard. Tried the Tyr inflatable, but it deflated after a couple uses. I should mention that kick sets are my least favorite--and that maybe I scare my equipment away subconsciously. :D :bolt:A few thoughts: It took me forever to learn how to use a snorkel. I probably tried and stop for a few years before one of my masters friends "coached" me through it. It really is like riding a bike; very hard at the start, but once you get it, it seems like second nature. Keep trying. I, too, don't like kick sets. I only really do them in November and December each year to prepare for the MEMO 400 Kick For Time Postal event. Otherwise, I almost never do them, except as part of some drill work.

RE: Kickboard recommendation

orca1946 — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 12:17:52 GMT

To each their own. I don't use a K board and find that this allows me to do flip turns in free and back at every turn.

RE: Kickboard recommendation

FindingMyInnerFish — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 12:12:05 GMT

RE: Kickboard recommendation

Former Member — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 15:51:26 GMT

I donâ€™t use a board, but Iâ€™m thinking about starting as it lets shoulders rest. or find a free one in an equipment bin .. :bolt: Ha! Everything's hidden away in the aquatic centers I've been in.

RE: Kickboard recommendation

Former Member — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 14:35:33 GMT

I recommend a small rigid one.........with a snorkel. I personally can't stand the way most people use kickboards, they put your body position all wrong, and like you said, hurt. Get a snorkel, hold your arms straight out in front of you, place your palms on the board - do NOT grip it - and press down. That will engage your lats a bit. Use a snorkel and keep your head looking down. Doing it that way will keep your body in a nice streamline position, which will help reinforce that for when you are swimming regularly. agree x 1 million- except i stack my hands like a true streamline. i like FINIS align, it is made for this purpose.

RE: Kickboard recommendation

Former Member — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 12:28:12 GMT

Wish I tried this drill when I was learning to swim. Did about 200 this drill followed by a moderate effort fr sprint and I swear it made everything link together, there was a disconnect before. Staple drill for me now on. Performed drill with each kick on the same side of the down shoulder. Had to do mini kicks for balance but once it clicked I was actually moving forward at ok momentum. I tried it the other way too, kicking on the up shoulder side, but didnâ€™t move fast enough to maintain balance. wish I could see a video of that drill. I do 25 yd. kicking on my stomach in streamline position without the kickboard, but I enjoy the kickboard cuz I can go really FAST!:bliss:

RE: Kickboard recommendation

__steve__ — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 10:24:04 GMT

I donâ€™t use a board, but Iâ€™m thinking about starting as it lets shoulders rest. For some added difficulty, go buy a Fike â€œBrickâ€ Board.or find a free one in an equipment bin .. :bolt:

RE: Kickboard recommendation

Patrick W. Brundage — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 10:22:10 GMT

Wish I tried this drill when I was learning to swim. Did about 200 this drill followed by a moderate effort fr sprint and I swear it made everything link together, there was a disconnect before. Staple drill for me now on. Performed drill with each kick on the same side of the down shoulder. Had to do mini kicks for balance but once it clicked I was actually moving forward at ok momentum. I tried it the other way too, kicking on the up shoulder side, but didnâ€™t move fast enough to maintain balance.I'm glad you liked it. I got this drill from a Total Immersion coach who called it, if I recall right, Floppy Fish, but I don't think that's the technical name :). I've been trying to look for a video online to demonstrate it, but will have to keep looking or see if I can film one myself. I really love this drill, as well, because it promotes such great whole body focus / awareness / connection.

RE: Kickboard recommendation

67King — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 08:06:59 GMT

Even better for your body and your swimming - DON'T USE A KICKBOARD. No matter how you use a kickboard, it puts your body in a position that does not equate to the position your body is in when you swim. That's actually not true. I tried to describe above. Arms straight out, same place as the "catch up" drill. Palms flat on the kickboard, not gripping it. Have to use a snorkel. Face down. Press down on kickboard, and your core and lats are engaged, and it helps to lift your butt. Body position is where it is swimming. You can also use a non buoyant device in front of you, like a kick stick just made of PVC. I've never tried it, but one of the Masters coaches does it with the age groupers.

RE: Kickboard recommendation

__steve__ — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 03:41:26 GMT

Also, kicking freestyle with a snorkel and your arms at your side is a great way to practice the kinetic chain connection from your feet through your hips and core. I like to do a drill where I'm basically doing a two beat kick, with every kick, I rotate to the other side. It is awesome to do with a snorkel. Wish I tried this drill when I was learning to swim. Did about 200 this drill followed by a moderate effort fr sprint and I swear it made everything link together, there was a disconnect before. Staple drill for me now on. Performed drill with each kick on the same side of the down shoulder. Had to do mini kicks for balance but once it clicked I was actually moving forward at ok momentum. I tried it the other way too, kicking on the up shoulder side, but didnâ€™t move fast enough to maintain balance.

RE: Kickboard recommendation

Calvin S — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 01:58:16 GMT

I donâ€™t use a board, but Iâ€™m thinking about starting as it lets shoulders rest. or find a free one in an equipment bin .. :bolt: oh wow. Iâ€™m so jelly right now. also I donâ€™t think kickboards give my shoulders a rest due to the posture needed while holding it. For a true shoulder rest, I kick with a snorkel, H.A.S. !!

RE: Kickboard recommendation

Former Member — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 16:17:43 GMT

This is the kickboard that I have and use: smile.amazon.com/.../ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title Unfortunately it isn't available, at least on Amazon, right now. But it appears that this one is similar: smile.amazon.com/.../131-5199186-7993018 What I like about it is that it isn't one of those super-rigid ones that some others have mentioned; if those break or splinter they can be dangerous (yes I've found out the hard way). I'd look for one that is made of, "Eva foam," as that seems to be a good compromise. I know which kickboards you mention, the semi-pliable version that seem common at gyms. My gym had them as well, and they were ok for kick sets. But I've never seen those outside of gym pools. Thanks for the info! I actually have the speedo kickbd, but it's too short and puts strain on my lower back. The ones at the gym were perfect - not too rigid or thin and long enough for a tall adult. I have the TYR board on order. Will let you know if it works for me. It's 20" long, which I wanted.

RE: Kickboard recommendation

aztimm — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 02:15:55 GMT

Can anyone recommend an adult (long - 20") kickboard that is NOT rigid? Our gym had these great semi-pliable long kickboards that I've yet to find online. The last one I ordered was too short and hurts my back. This is the kickboard that I have and use: smile.amazon.com/.../ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title Unfortunately it isn't available, at least on Amazon, right now. But it appears that this one is similar: smile.amazon.com/.../131-5199186-7993018 What I like about it is that it isn't one of those super-rigid ones that some others have mentioned; if those break or splinter they can be dangerous (yes I've found out the hard way). I'd look for one that is made of, "Eva foam," as that seems to be a good compromise. I know which kickboards you mention, the semi-pliable version that seem common at gyms. My gym had them as well, and they were ok for kick sets. But I've never seen those outside of gym pools.

RE: Kickboard recommendation

Patrick W. Brundage — Tue, 17 Nov 2020 02:29:29 GMT

Even better for your body and your swimming - DON'T USE A KICKBOARD. No matter how you use a kickboard, it puts your body in a position that does not equate to the position your body is in when you swim. When I do kicking sets, I generally use my snorkel (for free and ***) as I can better approximate my swimming body position. Also, kicking freestyle with a snorkel and your arms at your side is a great way to practice the kinetic chain connection from your feet through your hips and core. I like to do a drill where I'm basically doing a two beat kick, with every kick, I rotate to the other side. It is awesome to do with a snorkel. I really only see one reason to use a kickboard - when you're entering a kicking race. If you use a firm but floaty kickboard like "The Beast" (www.funkytrunks.com/.../1993370-the-beast.html), you'll ride higher in the water and go faster. It won't simulate your kick for swimming, but you'll go faster for events like www.memoswimteam.com/400-kick-for-time.html.

RE: Kickboard recommendation

Calvin S — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 01:40:57 GMT

I canâ€™t stand flimsy kickboards. It better be stiff as, well, a board. I use the same one from my first day of college 17 years ago. Some generic old school textured blue board (maybe Speedo brand but who knows now) That I pulled out of the equipment bin. Think it caught my eye cause some age grouper from the club team that used our pool had drawn all sorts of designs and stuff all over it with a sharpie. It looked cool. Alas, all that ink has faded to nothing. Even permanent markers arenâ€™t permanent (but the board is still going strong as ever!) For some added difficulty, go buy a Fike â€œBrickâ€ Board.

RE: Kickboard recommendation

67King — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 01:31:07 GMT

Can anyone recommend an adult (long - 20") kickboard that is NOT rigid? Our gym had these great semi-pliable long kickboards that I've yet to find online. The last one I ordered was too short and hurts my back. I recommend a small rigid one.........with a snorkel. I personally can't stand the way most people use kickboards, they put your body position all wrong, and like you said, hurt. Get a snorkel, hold your arms straight out in front of you, place your palms on the board - do NOT grip it - and press down. That will engage your lats a bit. Use a snorkel and keep your head looking down. Doing it that way will keep your body in a nice streamline position, which will help reinforce that for when you are swimming regularly.