Paraphernalia

Last week you read a first rate article by pro triathlete and top swimmer Glen Gore from South Africa. In his contrarion'a view he advocated just swimming––ignoring the paraphernalia. I thought it might be interesting to get the view contrary to the contration's view, and I went to Worldwide Aquatics (the banner above)––folks I've come to highly regard when it comes to knowledge of such things––and asked them what rates highly with users among all the stuff they sell.

Let's consider it axiomatic that a swimsuit and goggles. These are practical, if not technical, necessities for swimming. If we consider everything else a "gadget," what are the best-selling gadgets? I'll point you to where you can find these items in Worldwide Aquatics catalog. It's a big catalog, and it won't cost you anything to click on over there and roam around (just click the banner above). These are the big boys of swim catalogs, and they've got just about everything aquatic.

ZOOMERS

Near the top of the list is (are) Zoomers. I can attest to their popularity, as they are in just about every masters swimmer’s swim bag. They look like swim fins with the flipper part having gotten caught in a food processor. Here is how WorldWide Aquatics explains it:

"Most people associate swimming fins with the big blade black fins that you see sitting around many pools. The blades on standard fins are big and look like scuba fins. World Wide Aquatics carries standard fins in our website catalog and sell these in big quantities, many times to institutional buyers or people looking for a value priced swim fin.

"But the most popular fin that we sell today is the Zoomers fin. Zoomers are a specialized swimming fin that you will recognize because of their short blade. Zoomers were designed by Dr. Marty Hull after extensive work with national level swimmers, and are a patented product, so are unique in their design and effectiveness.

"The benefit of the Zoomers fin is the specially designed short blade. This short blade helps you get a great workout by building your leg kick without overloading the leg muscles as do big blade fins. Big blade fins build lots of muscle mass because they overstress the legs, but muscle mass is not necessarily optimal for effective swimming. Swimming is a highly repetitive motion sport, so you need muscle endurance as well as strength.

"Also, with Zoomers fins the short blade allows you to kick at approximately the same rhythm that you do when you are swimming without fins, so the synchronization between your arms and legs does not get unbalanced like it does when you use big blade fins. Big blade fins move so much water that your kick beat slows down, and consequently your total rhythm is inconsistent with your normal swim workout.

"With a Zoomers fin since you are swimming at the same rhythm as normal so there is no recovery time after you take the fins of until your arms and legs are back into synch. Additionally, because your arm and leg stroke coordination stays in synch you can focus on your total stroke during your Zoomers fin workout, not just your legs as you do with a big blade fin.

"Zoomers come in two versions: red blade fins (made of stiffer material) for top level swimmers or sprinters, and blue (softer) blade fins for general fitness swimmers or endurance swimmers."

Here's where you'll find Zoomers in Worldwide Aquatics catalog.

SPEED STROKE MONITOR

Cadence monitors are all the rage nowadays. You can use one in all three sports. We've written about the concept of cadence during training here on Slowtwitch.

The Stroke Monitor from Speedo takes that one further and, like a bike computer, offers much more than just a cadence readout.

It looks and feels like a normal wristwatch, but measures several aspects of swimming efficiency. It acts as a normal timepiece with a 12/24 hour format clock, date, alarm, chronograph and countdown timer, but the monitor also includes a sensing device which tracks each time your arm enters the water as you swim and manipulates the data in a variety of interesting ways.

Two models are available:

Competition Stroke Monitor measures distance per stroke cycle, number of stroke cycles, cycles per minute, distance per second and overall efficiency.

Fitness Stroke Monitor is designed for the average lap swimmer and measures elapsed time, total distance swam, total calories burned, total stroke cycles and cycles per minute.

Both monitors are available in the Electronics, Gifts and Accessories category of the Worldwide Aquatic website catalog:

TYR CATALYST PADDLES

Hand paddles are a staple item in the world of swimming, and are used to build arm strength. Worldwide Aquatics says that one of their better-selling items is an alternative to the standard rectangular paddle, TYR's Catalyst Paddle. It is––they say––a state-of-the-art in training paddle design (it does look the part).

The Catalyst supposedly improves all strokes while minimizing the risk of injury. The pointed front and extended lateral edge design allows the paddle to cut through the waves and promotes correct entry into the water. The smaller surface area on its inside edge reduces pressure on the biceps and rotator cup during freestyle pull-through. The holes along the outer edge minimize resistance and help reduce shoulder stress. And the flow hole in the palm area give you a better feel for the water.

The Catalyst also has a sizing system designed to fit almost everyone in the water. XS is for beginning swimmers or young age groupers (8-12). S is for older age groupers (12+ years) and beginning masters. M is for older high school males, Senior National females, triathletes and mid-level masters. L is for strong collegiate swimmers, Senior National males, and advanced triathletes. XL is for very strong swimmers.

See the TYR Catalyst Paddle in the Training Supplies category of our website catalog:

SWIM CAPS

How 'bout a primer on swim caps? Is one type better than the other, or are they all the same?

There are three types of caps: latex, silicone and lycra. Latex and silicone caps will keep your hair dr. Lycra will not.

Latex caps (often called "rubber") are thin and rip easily, however, they are easy to replace since they are so inexpensive. These are what you get from the race director when you do a triathlon. They're so cheap you can easily afford several so that you can match them to different swimsuits. It's the traditional choice.

A silicone cap is thicker and more durable than latex, so it will last longer and rip less easily. Another plus is that it won't pull your hair quite as much as latex. They also don't get as "stuck together" when you toss them in your workout bag!

A lycra cap is made of the same fabric as many swim suits. While it will not keep your hair dry, it will keep the hair away from your face and will not pull your hair. Since it is so soft it feels more comfortable if you are not used to wearing a cap.

If what you want is dry hair and no tangles, try a lycra cap, with a silicone cap over top.

EDITOR'S NOTE: You must consider the date this article is written (March 12, 2001), but as of this time Worldwide Aquatics is offering Slowtwitch readers a Slowtwitch-only discount of 15% on everything in its catalog not already on closeout or special discount. So this is a good time to stock up on your swimsuits, and whatever else you might need for this season (perhaps including and item or two above).

HOW TO GET YOUR DISCOUNT: Use promotion code 2194 (just enter in the yellow promotion code box at the top of the online shopping cart page - click "Recalculate Order" and it will show the 15% discount).

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