Swimming aid

Abstract

A swimming training aid is provided and comprises an elongate buoyant body. The body has a generally circular section along substantially the entirety of its length, and the diameter of the body is non-constant along at least the majority of its length.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A swimming training aid comprising an elongate buoyant body, in which the body is generally obovoid and has a defined longitudinal orientation, being generally wider at a fore end than at an aft end, and in which the body is generally solid. 
     
     
         2 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . An aid as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the body has one or more handles or handholds. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . An aid as claimed in  claim 1  and having one or more onboard sensors. 
     
     
         9 . An aid as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the length of the body is in the range 200 mm to 400 mm. 
     
     
         10 . An aid as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the diameter of the body at or around a mid-point along its length is in the range 100 mm to 200 mm. 
     
     
         11 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . An aid as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the body is formed from a foamed material. 
     
     
         14 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A method of swimming stroke training comprising use of an aid as claimed in  claim 1 , with the aid being configured to be unstable in roll and stable in pitch. 
     
     
         23 . An aid as claimed in  claim 6 , in which the one or more handles or handholds are located at or towards the fore end of the body. 
     
     
         24 . An aid as claimed in  claim 1  and being formed as a unitary piece. 
     
     
         25 . An aid as claimed in  claim 1  and being formed from two or more pieces. 
     
     
         26 . An aid as claimed in  claim 1  and further comprising an outer skin or cover. 
     
     
         27 . An aid as claimed in  claim 8 , comprising communications means. 
     
     
         28 . An aid as claimed in  claim 8 , in which the sensor/s can measure one or more of: rotational orientation; power output; distance travelled; speed; heart rate; blood oxygen level. 
     
     
         29 . An aid as claimed in  claim 8 , further comprising feedback means. 
     
     
         30 . An aid as claimed in  claim 6 , in which the depth of the handholds is in the range 30 mm to 50 mm. 
     
     
         31 . An aid as claimed in  claim 1 , in which two mutually spaced handholds are provided at or towards the fore end of the body, and in which both handles are on a top side or portion of the body to enable gripping of the body with both hands out in front of a swimmer and generally on the top of a body. 
     
     
         32 . A swimming float comprising a three-dimensional lachrymoform body comprising a generally hemispherical spherical front end from which a generally parabolic cone shape rear end extends.