Resources for Athletes and Coaches
The links below are Amazon referral links of products I recommend:
Swimming Tools
Finis Agility Paddles, Finis Agility Paddles
These paddles were discussed on the Swim Myth Busting Podcast: they are ideal for learning an effective catch, where you must press on the water effectively in the correct way. Medium is the right size for most athletes, small for small hands or larger for a different stimulus.
Finis Instinct Sculling Paddles
Smaller versions of the agility paddles: a good second paddle in the tool kit.
Speedo Power Paddle
Recommended basic flat paddles. Remove the wrist strap.
Finis Pulling Ankle Strap
A fancy ankle band: you can make a band out of a inner tube, or buy one of these.
Finis Bolster Paddles - Yellow
These paddles don't allow your wrist to break. They require some commitment to be effective.
Speedo Elite Pullbuoy or Finis Foam Pull Buoy
Basic pull buoys, either will work, nothing fancy.
Finis Swim Parachute - Red
A drag tool - teaches effective catch. Most swimmers should tie a knot before the chute to lessen the drag from 'stock'.
Finis Dry Land Cord
Pre-swim dry land training to set up high elbow catch neuro-muscular patterning.
Finis Adult Zoomers Gold
Minimalist swim fins
Books
The Science of Winning: Planning, Periodizing and Optimizing Swim Training Kindle Edition
An excellent resource to understand the balance between energy systems.
Meditations (Illustrated) by Marcus Aurelius
The greatest book ever written?
Once a Runner: A Novel
Fictional novel, perhaps the best book ever written about the process of running.
Coaching Essentials
Bose QuietComfort 25 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones
Essential for travelling and focus in noisy environments. I've owned a ton of headphones, these are the best.
The standard black notebook every coach requires.
SEIKO SVAS003 Swimming Master Stopwatch
Expensive but the gold standard.
Every good coach reads continuously. Get the best distraction free e-reader.
Essential for the travelling coach and athlete. Bring your own quality beans.