Hand paddle
Encyclopedia
A hand paddle, according to "Swim Speak", is a "coloured plastic
device that is worn on the swimmer's hands during swim practices to enhance muscle
build-up or speed." Paddles are often used with pull buoy
s to build up arm
strength. Some swimmers also call them "pads".
Plastic
A plastic material is any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solids used in the manufacture of industrial products. Plastics are typically polymers of high molecular mass, and may contain other substances to improve performance and/or reduce production costs...
device that is worn on the swimmer's hands during swim practices to enhance muscle
Muscle
Muscle is a contractile tissue of animals and is derived from the mesodermal layer of embryonic germ cells. Muscle cells contain contractile filaments that move past each other and change the size of the cell. They are classified as skeletal, cardiac, or smooth muscles. Their function is to...
build-up or speed." Paddles are often used with pull buoy
Pull buoy
A pull buoy or leg float is a figure-eight shaped piece of closed-cell foam used in swim workouts. Swimmers place the buoy between the legs in the crotch area to provide support to the body without kicking the legs; this allows the swimmer to focus on training only their arms.Pull Buoys are an...
s to build up arm
Arm
In human anatomy, the arm is the part of the upper limb between the shoulder and the elbow joints. In other animals, the term arm can also be used for analogous structures, such as one of the paired forelimbs of a four-legged animal or the arms of cephalopods...
strength. Some swimmers also call them "pads".
Types of Paddles
Different types of paddles include:- Finger paddles - Designed to fit on your fingers and built for all strokes, (butterfly)Butterfly strokeThe butterfly is a swimming stroke swum on the breast, with both arms moving simultaneously. The butterfly kick was developed separately, and is also known as the "dolphin kick"...
, backstrokeBackstrokeThe backstroke, also sometimes called the back crawl, is one of the four swimming styles regulated by FINA, and the only regulated style swum on the back. This has the advantage of easy breathing, but the disadvantage of swimmers not being able to see where they are going. It is also the only...
, breaststrokeBreaststrokeThe breaststroke is a swimming style in which the swimmer is on his or her chest and the torso does not rotate. It is the most popular recreational style due to its stability and the ability to keep the head out of the water a large portion of the time. In most swimming classes, beginners learn...
and freestyleFreestyle swimmingFreestyle is an unregulated swimming style used in swimming competitions according to the rules of FINA. The front crawl stroke is almost universally used during a freestyle race, as this style is generally the fastest...
. - Freestyle Paddles - Designed especially for swimmers swimming freestyle.
- Han's Paddles - The Original Holed Swimming Paddles.
- Speedo Original Hand Paddles - One of the first and made for most strokes.
- Sculling and Vortex paddles - Designed to build upper body strength.
