Hand paddle

Abstract

A hand paddle for use in swimming comprises a blade (4) having first and second faces (12,14), wherein the first face (12) is a palmar face and the second face (14) is a power face. A plurality of grip elements (6) extend outwards from the first face (12). The grip elements include one or more finger grips (10) configured to be gripped between the fingers of a user.

1 . A hand paddle for use in swimming comprising a blade having first and second faces, wherein the first face is a palmar face and the second face is a power face, and a plurality of grip elements that extend outwards from the first face, wherein the grip elements include one or more finger grips configured to be gripped between the fingers of a user. 
     
     
         2 . A hand paddle according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one finger grip comprises a plate member that extends outwards from the first face. 
     
     
         3 . A hand paddle according to  claim 2 , wherein the plate member lies in a plane that is approximately perpendicular to the first face and/or extends lengthwise relative to the blade. 
     
     
         4 . A hand paddle according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one finger grip has a thickness in the range 2-10 mm, optionally 2-5 mm. 
     
     
         5 . A hand paddle according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one finger grip is connected to the blade by a connector that is configured to allow limited transverse movement between the finger grip and the blade. 
     
     
         6 . A hand paddle according to  claim 5 , wherein the connector engages an aperture in the blade. 
     
     
         7 . A hand paddle according to  claim 6 , wherein the connector has a snap fit with the aperture in the blade. 
     
     
         8 . A hand paddle according to  claim 7 , wherein the connector includes a locking element that prevents removal of the finger grip from the blade when in a locked configuration. 
     
     
         9 . A hand paddle according to  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of finger grips, optionally three finger grips. 
     
     
         10 . A hand paddle according to  claim 1 , wherein the grip elements include a thumb grip. 
     
     
         11 . A hand paddle according to  claim 10 , wherein the thumb grip comprises a wall structure that extends outwards from the first face. 
     
     
         12 . A hand paddle according to  claim 11 , wherein said wall structure lies in a plane that is approximately perpendicular to the first face and approximately parallel to a longitudinal axis of the blade. 
     
     
         13 . A hand paddle according to  claim 12 , wherein the thumb grip comprises an outer portion connected to the wall structure, wherein the outer portion extends sideways towards an inner side edge of the blade and is configured to partially surround a user's thumb. 
     
     
         14 . A hand paddle according to  claim 13 , wherein the outer portion of the thumb grip includes a rear portion that extends rearwards towards a rear edge of the blade, wherein the rear portion is configured to overlie a user's thumb web. 
     
     
         15 . A hand paddle according to  claim 1 , wherein the blade has a front edge, a rear edge, an inner side edge and an outer side edge, and a longitudinal axis that extends lengthwise between the front edge and the rear edge. 
     
     
         16 . A hand paddle according to  claim 15 , wherein the grip elements include a thumb grip, and the thumb grip is located closer than the finger grips to the inner side edge, and/or the thumb grip is located closer than the finger grips to the rear edge. 
     
     
         17 . A hand paddle according to  claim 1 , wherein the blade has a length in the range 180-300 mm, optionally 200-270 mm, optionally 210-250 mm. 
     
     
         18 . A hand paddle according to  claim 1 , wherein the blade has a width in the range 110-170 mm, optionally 120-160 mm, optionally 130-150 mm. 
     
     
         19 . A hand paddle according to  claim 1 , wherein the blade is curved lengthwise and includes a concave portion on the second face thereof. 
     
     
         20 . A hand paddle according to  claim 1 , wherein at least an outer peripheral portion of the blade comprises a plurality of openings that extend through the blade.