5 ways to use swim noodles

There are a number of swim equipment a swimmer needs, ranging from swim caps, goggles, swimsuits, pull buoys, kickboards, and pool noodles. 

The first three are essential to any swimmer. The rest 3, pull buoys, noodles and kickboards. are needed for swimmers who want to move to advanced swimming, and are in need of additional assistance.

In fact, it is recommended that every swimmer who is seriously considering learning or taking swimming further uses them during practice to better refine their stroke. Using such equipment will improve their swimming ability by enhancing their technique and strengthening their hands and legs. 

Swim Noodles & their sizes

Swim noodles, swimming pool tubes, or floaty noodles are long tubular floatation devices that are usually used by those who have just started to learn swimming, those who want to have fun in the pool, or for those children struggling with floating who have moved on from arm floaters. 

They are a more grown-up version of other floaties and can be used in a variety of ways, making them very useful and versatile. 

There are four main types of swim noodles, with some more available and useful than others depending on your purpose and age as a swimmer.

Large swim noodles for adults

These large swimming pool noodles, similar to the name, are the largest pool noodle available.

MEGA JUMBO

They are 6 feet long and 6 inches in diameter. They are usually used by adults, as they are very sturdy and have a vinyl covering that makes them long-lasting. 

If you are looking to buy noodles and if you are older and wish to improve your stroke, these noodles would be ideal for you. They can tend to be on the more expensive side, but they are very long-lasting.

Jumbo

Jumbo pool noodles are similar to mega jumbo noodles. 

They have a similar application, and can be used by adults looking to learn to float, as they float very well and provide lift out of the water. They are 5 inches in diameter and 6 feet in length. These noodles are not meant for fun in the pool, as they do not bend easily and are very strong and sturdy. 

Medium pool noodles for swim training

Medium pool noodles are the most easily available pool noodles on the market. They can be used by adolescents and average-sized adults. 

Medium-sized pool noodles are the most versatile and can be used for both floatation, learning to swim and exercises in the water. 

They are approximately 4-5 inches in diameter and 5 ½ feet in length. If you are looking for a pool noodle for general use regardless of your age or size, this would be the ideal noodle to buy

Small swimming noodles for kids

Small pool noodles are the best pool noodles for children. Their size and flexibility make them ideal for holding smaller children who wish to have fun in the pool. 

They tend to be flimsy, and children constantly playing with them means that they might not last as long. 

They are 2 ½ inches in diameter and can be used to make pool floaties and other interesting pool day crafts. 

Where to buy swim noodles?

Most of the swimming academies have swimming noodles. Incase you need to buy them, they are easily available online. You can buy from Decathlon. They are inexpensive around ₹200 and works quite well.

How to use a pool noodle?

Swimming tubes have a number of applications. 

Swimming pool noodles for fun for kids

If you are looking to have fun in the pool, pool noodles can be your best friend, especially for younger children. 

With a swim noodle, kids can do sword fights, horse rides and even just slapping the water. These are enjoyable activities for yourg kids. If you are older, or have someone younger than you who is learning to swim, pool noodles can still be of use. 

Tubes for beginners to float

In order to learn to float, using swimming foam tubes can be a much more grown-up alternative than using arm floaties or other floatation devices. 

Placing the ends of the pool noodles under your armpits and placing your head in the water is excellent practice for getting used to floating with your head down in the water. 

Place the noodle lower and lower down your body as you get more comfortable in the water to find a position where your body is parallel to the floor of the pool. 

Use your swim noodles to learn breathing

Practice bubbling while the pool noodle is under your stomach to understand how to breath with your head in the water. This will make breathing while swimming easier. Pool noodles can support people of all ages depending on their size. If you have mastered floating in the middle of the pool with your head down using a pool noodle, you are ready to use the noodles for more. 

Use the swimming tube as a kickboard

Other than using the swimming tube to float, you can also learn how to kick using the noodle. Now, you can also do this using a kickboard, but pool noodles will help you float better. It will help your body adjust to keep flat while kicking. 

Place the pool noodle along your torso or armpit and begin moving your legs so that you propel yourself forward. Use techniques that you learned before like how to breathe with a pool noodle, kick while breathing, and place your face in the water. 

If you manage to master this, you can try placing your arms by your side, or stretched out in front of you. Later, you can also begin to move your arms in the front crawl style. The pool noodle will stop you from feeling as if you are sinking and will give you the extra push you need to move with confidence through the water. 

Placing the pool noodle under your stomach while kicking, breathing and moving your arms, is the first step to mastering the full stroke. Both of these exercises will prepare you to swim full-stroke while singling out individual parts of the stroke. Later, apply the kick, arms, and breathing technique to your actual stroke.

Swim noodles for advanced swimmers

1. For learning how to flutter kick, scull water, or tread water, place a noodle under one armpit, around the back then under the other armpit to float in a vertical position. You can also place it under the chest.
2. For practicing the flutter kick or the breaststroke kick, place the noodle across the chest and under the armpits while floating in a horizontal position. Kick while you float.
3. For practicing the backstroke kick, place the swimming noodle behind the neck with arms extended overhead or resting at the sides 
4. For practicing pull, place the noodle under your belly and move your arms. This will help you practice stroke without worrying about sinking. 
5. For practicing breathing, float with the noodle under your chest and place your head in the water to practice moving your head in and out without worrying about floating.