The following kit is required by all Performance Swimmers at Tynemouth:
The Basics (everyone needs these)
The Next Step
Advanced Mode [optional]
Paddles are used for many purposes: strength building, stroke correction, sculling, drills, etc. Different sizes are useful to have around for different activities: large for Freestyle, small for Butterfly. Young swimmers often struggle with large paddles, they lack the strength to properly make use of them. As a result they're often unable to keep up on easy times, make bad changes to technique, and over-strain shoulders unnecessarily. Conversely, old, small paddles are often discarded when a swimmer progresses through to something larger, not realising small paddles still have their uses.
Paddles are actually very simple devices: a flat piece of plastic with straps attached. Some brands are a bit too eager to find a niche and go to extreme lengths to make their product stand out. This results in paddles that should only be used for specific drills, but which get marketed at everyone. A flat piece of plastic with strap holes is all you want/need.
Avoid curved paddles or those with novelty finger attachments - they limit the paddle's usefulness as sculling movements (Breaststroke) are hindered, plus Backstroke hand entries are compromised. Some drills should use paddles strapless, relying on nothing but water pressure to keep them attached to the hand. Curved paddles, or those with finger loops are difficult to use in this way.
Below are the paddles that I recommend, in my order of preference ...
Widely available in the UK (unlike some on this list), the right shape, a flat paddle, with straps that can be moved, ignored, or removed completely. Don't be afraid to start small and buy the next size up each year. My recommendation would be: 10yo and below XXS; 15yo M; and everyone in between, either S or XS. A bit smaller than you need is better than too big and will always be used on other strokes anyway. Too big will cause stroke defects when the athlete isn't strong enough to power them correctly.
These are probably the paddle the others on this list are modelled after. Unfortunately, these are extremely hard to find in the UK being an American brand, and I've only seen them used by swimmers with coaches who have connections to the US. They offer a lot of flexibility in strap positioning and are excellent for using strapless.
My long term favourite until Tyr brought out the Catalyst Stroke. Unfortunately quite hard to find in the UK. Start with the small ones at age 10 (Size 0), by 14/15 progress to Size 3. Keep smaller paddles for different activities along the way.
A good safe option if the others can't be found, or are too expensive. Only two sizes are available though, I would suggest the Medium to start with. These often come with different types of straps. If possible, I would suggest the basic tube strap. It's a flat paddle (like the others on this list) which won't interfere with sculling movements.
The old faithful and excellent for Freestyle, but probably too large for some strokes and younger swimmers (even the smallest size). Definitely start with XXSmall and work up as required. Perfect for older swimmers looking to build strength and a good compliment to the smaller Catalyst Stroke paddles.
Warning - these get extremely large! The bigger versions are only suitable for elite adult males.
Finger paddles are a more subtle type of hand paddle. Designed to sit on the finger tips, they help develop the finger press. They're not a small handle paddle, they should not be worn part way down the hand.
As with hand paddles, a simple flat plastic crescent is best. They too come in different sizes (sometimes), and younger athletes should choose the smallest available. If you're not strong enough to press the paddle through the water with the finger tips, you're not using this paddle correctly.
Just like with hand paddles, finger paddles used in a swimmer's early years should be kept for use on more demanding strokes/drills as you get older. It should also be possible to use finger paddles strapless, or with only a single strap, for some drills.
Finese beats brute force. The shorter the finger paddle (height), the better.
Recommendation ...
