EQUIPMENT FOR A SWIMMER

A boat with a rower moves much faster than a swimming person, even with fins, although the drag force is three or even four times greater. The efficiency of oars is higher than that of arms, and the “power” developed by a person in a boat is also higher… The strongest human muscles work — the back muscles.

In a boat, conditions are ideal: there’s a footrest, a seat, and oarlocks. But a swimmer has to row with their arms.

If we design a swimming apparatus so that rowing can be done with the legs, the speed will increase dramatically.

Let’s make a U-shaped frame, use its ends for oarlocks, and the legs will rest against the backrest. With each push of the legs, the oars, whose ends remain in stationary hands, will move backward and, under the action of springs, move forward, that is, perform the same actions as in a regular boat.

The frame should be bent from thin-walled duralumin tube with a diameter of about 30 mm. To prevent the frame from sinking, its ends must be sealed. It’s better to connect the oars with a universal joint so that their stroke is simultaneous and you can row even with one hand. The spring will return the oars back.

Floats must be placed under the oarlocks, otherwise, when you lift the oars, the oarlocks go underwater and submerge the swimmer’s head. I adapted children’s balls with nets, hung them near the oarlocks. And everything worked very well. You can accelerate so much that the wave splashes over your head.

Turning is easy: you can bend your body sideways, or you can lean your body toward one of the frame sides.

If you manage to overtake a boat — don’t be surprised.

B. BLINOV