Hand paddle
A hand paddle is a device worn by swimmers during training. It consists of a plastic plate worn over the swimmer's palm and attached over the back of the swimmer's hand with elastic cords. The plate is often perforated with a pattern of holes.
A handle paddle increases the resistance the hand experiences as it tries to move through the water during the effective part of the arm stroke – the part of the stroke described as the "pull".
To make the most out of using paddles, it is important to ensure that they aid in establishing a good technique under the water. Use the paddles without the wrist strap or side straps, and only use the main finger holds in the middle, regardless of the brand.[4]
Paddles are often used with pull buoys to build up arm strength.[citation needed]
History
The hand paddle was invented by Benjamin Franklin in the 18th century.[5][6]
Types of paddles
Different types of paddles include:
- Finger paddles – Designed to fit on the fingers and built for all strokes, butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle.[citation needed]
- Freestyle Paddles – Designed especially for swimmers swimming freestyle.[citation needed]
- Biomimetic Hand Paddles – Influenced by the darkling beetle to reinforce kinesthetic feel for the water.[7]
- Han's Paddles – The original holed swimming paddles.[citation needed]
- Speedo Original Hand Paddles – One of the first and made for most strokes.[citation needed]
- Sculling and Vortex paddles – Designed to build upper body strength.[8]
- Forearm paddles - Designed to extend past the palm of the hand over the forearm to help with the initial catch
- Anti-paddles - Designed with a conical shape on the bottom of the paddle to improves swimmer's reaction to water resistance
References
- ^ a b "Pull and catch in the freestyle stroke". swimsmooth.com.
- ^ a b
Masters Swimming: A Manual (2006). Blythe Lucero, Cornelia Bleul-Gohlke. p. 49. ISBN 1841261858.
- ^ Dr. Nicholas Romanov (July 15, 2008). "how to select the right swimming paddles for you".
- ^ John Wood (October 11, 2016). "How to use swimming paddles".
- ^ International Swimming Hall of Fame Archived 2009-07-09 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Independence Hall Association
- ^ Swim Paddles Share a Swimming Story in Nature
- ^ Hand Paddles, Kickboards, and Pull Buoys for Swimmers
- ^ Bubble and Tub