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The SwimAdvance Paddles Early Virtical Forum Project

What do all excellent swimmers have in common? The answer is the adoption of an early vertical forearm (EVF) as part of their stroke. See video.

The early vertical forearm allows the swimmer to produce more effective propulsive forces earlier in the stroke. The EVF swimmer moves further with each stroke.

It is difficult for the swimmer to learn to adopt an early vertical forearm. In testing the Real Wiiing, we have found a training tool that is very effective in assisting the swimmer to use the early vertical forearm in the stroke because it is the forearm which ‘catches’ the water.

Swimmer using Early Virtical Forarm strokes

What are SwimAdvance Paddles?

SwimAdvance Paddles are wrist mounted paddles which increase the surface area of the forearm/wrist and displace in increased volume of water with each stroke.
They allow faster and more efficient swimming than with hand paddles, but retain all of the benefits of using paddles as a training and conditioning tool. They feel natural in the water and may be worn for a whole training session. Moving the paddle from outside the forearm to the inside utilizes different muscle groups. Real Wiiings are effective in all four swimming strokes.

Real Wiiings solve many of the problems which arise when using hand paddles.

Photo of Real Wiiings

What are the disadvantages of hand paddles?

  • Hand paddles encourage a straight, deep arm during front crawl – this is an inefficient swimming technique
  • During the initial contact with the water, paddles cause shoulder strain which can accumulate, causing permanent shoulder damage.
  • Hand paddles slow the stroke and break the rhythm between arms and legs. Use of paddles can in some cases slow a swimmer down.

SwimAdvance Paddles are an evolutionary step forward from hand paddles

The Advantages of using SwimAdvance Paddles:

  • SwimAdvance Paddles develop an EVF in swimmers and promote good swimming technique,
  • SwimAdvance Paddles do not induce shoulder strain.
  • SwimAdvance Paddles do not slow the arms and maintain stroke rhythm.
  • SwimAdvance Paddles may be mounted on the inside or outside of the forearm. This allows both specific muscle training and correction of hand position.
  • SwimAdvance Paddles apply variable pressure to the forearm through the different phases of the stroke. This feedback helps the swimmer understand and correct their own swimming technique.
  • They are suitable for use in busy pools where large square paddles are not allowed.

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