what is it like swimming with kick trainers and do pools allow you to use them in public sessions?

Answer 1

They're very helpful with practising kicking or exercising your legs, and also keep you afloat if you get tired. They're excellent for starters to use in deeper waters because they can hang onto them.

Most pools do allow them during public sessions. If yours doesn't, then... there's something wrong with the pool.

Answer 2

If you're talking about polystyrene floats about a foot square, then not only are you allowed to use them, but if you ask one of the lifeguards, they might even lend you one (I always did). Depending on which stroke you're practising, swimming with a float can be easier or harder.

For front crawl, it's actually quite hard work to swim with them, because in this stroke most of your propulsion comes from your arms, so you have to work a lot harder with your legs. Also, if you hold the float with both hands, arms extended in front of you, and keep your face out of the water, it's a lot harder to breathe comfortably (because your chest cavity is stretched), and your legs tend to sink, making you less streamlined (because all the buoyancy is at the front). Most competitive swimmers hold the float with only one hand while they swim, and let the other trail by their hip (or swim one-armed), keeping their face in water, and just rolling sideways to breathe (as you should do when you're swimming front crawl).

Conversely, in breast stroke, you get about even propulsion from arms and legs, and since you tend to have a slightly more upright stance in the water than for front crawl, a float is a definite help for practice. You still have to put more effort in to get the same speed, but it's more comfortable.

For backstroke, if you extend the float above your head, the same issues apply as with front crawl, although it is slightly easier to breathe because you don't have to lift your chin to keep your mouth out of the water. Also the float will protect you from running your head into things (like the pool wall, or other swimmers). A lot of beginners like to hug the float to their chests, which helps to lift their body up, and also makes it easier to float on their back, which is reassuring (but remember to look where you're going from time to time!).

Butterfly - forget it! You can't use a flat float while practising swimming butterfly. A "pullbuoy" is good though, which is an hourglass-shaped float that you hold between your knees to support your legs while you work on strengthening your arm technique (and your arms!).

Most pools (in Britain, anyway) do NOT allow the use of fins/flippers/"duckfeet" during public sessions, because of the risk of injury to the other pool users. Hand paddles are usually OK though, but ask the lifeguard.

Answer 3

hang on just try it.....................gurgle..gurgle......gurgle HELP