Swim training device and method of training

Abstract

A swim training device includes: (a) a platform having a top side and a bottom side, and extending longitudinally from a leading edge to a trailing edge and extending laterally from a left edge to a right edge; and (b) a recess in the bottom side of the platform for providing a finger gripping region to assist with holding the platform when a swimmer's hands wrap the leading edge of the platform; (c) a chamber within the platform configured to be filled with air, water, or a combination of air and water to adjust a buoyancy of the swim training device; and (d) at least one port through the platform for accessing the chamber to adjust the buoyancy of the swim training device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A swim training device comprising:
 (a) a platform having a top side and a bottom side, and extending longitudinally from a leading edge to a trailing edge and extending laterally from a left edge to a right edge; and   (b) a recess in the bottom side of the platform for providing a finger gripping region to assist with holding the platform when a swimmer's hands wrap the leading edge of the platform;   (c) a chamber within the platform configured to be filled with air, water, or a combination of air and water to adjust a buoyancy of the swim training device; and   (d) at least one port through the platform for accessing the chamber to adjust the buoyancy of the swim training device.   
     
     
         2 . A swim training device according to  claim 1  wherein:
 (a) at least one port comprises a first port located through the left edge of the platform, and a second port located through the right edge of the platform. 
 
     
     
         3 . A swim training device according to  claim 1  wherein:
 (a) the at least one port comprises a first port located through top side of the platform, and a second port located through the bottom side of the platform. 
 
     
     
         4 . A swim training device according to  claim 1  wherein:
 (a) the at least one port comprises a first port and a second port, both being located through the top side of the platform or both being located through the bottom side of the platform. 
 
     
     
         5 . A swim training device according to  claim 1  further comprising:
 (a) at least one hands pocket located on the top side of the platform. 
 
     
     
         6 . A swim training device according to  claim 5  wherein:
 (a) the at least one hands pocket is formed from a sleeve assembly comprising a cuff member that fits over the platform and extends around the leading edge and the trailing edge of the platform, and the cover extends from the cuff member. 
 
     
     
         7 . A swim training device according to  claim 5  wherein:
 (a) the at least one hands pocket is closed except at a hands entry opening facing the trailing edge of the platform. 
 
     
     
         8 . A swim training device according to  claim 5  wherein:
 (a) the at least one hands pocket includes an opening at a leading portion of the hands pocket in addition to a hands entry opening facing the trailing edge of the platform. 
 
     
     
         9 . A swim training device according to  claim 1  wherein:
 (a) the platform has a maximum width of about 8 inches to about 24 inches from the left edge to the right edge. 
 
     
     
         10 . A swim training device according to  claim 1  wherein:
 (a) the platform has a maximum length from the forward edge to the trailing edge of about 5 inches to about 18 inches. 
 
     
     
         11 . A swim training device according to  claim 1  further comprising:
 (a) a resistance training device for attachment to the platform. 
 
     
     
         12 . A swim training device according to  claim 11  wherein:
 (a) the resistance training device comprises a pair of parachute arrangements. 
 
     
     
         13 . A swim training device according to  claim 12  wherein:
 (a) the platform includes a first anchor location and a second anchor location for attachment to the pair of parachute arrangements. 
 
     
     
         14 . A swim training device comprising:
 (a) a platform having a top side and a bottom side, and extending longitudinally from a leading edge to a trailing edge and extending laterally from a left edge to a right edge, the platform further comprising a center line extending from the leading edge to the trailing edge and having a left side to a left of the center line and a right side to a right of the center line; and   (b) a chamber within the platform configured to be filled with air, water, or a combination of air and water to adjust a buoyancy of the swim training device;   (c) at least one port through the platform for accessing the chamber to adjust the buoyancy of the swim training device; and   (d) a first anchor location and a second anchor location, wherein the first anchor location is located on the left side of the platform, and the second anchor location is located on the right side of the platform.   
     
     
         15 . A swim training device according to  claim 14  further comprising:
 (a) a first port located through the left edge of the platform, and a second port located through the right edge of the platform. 
 
     
     
         16 . A swim training device according to  claim 14  further comprising:
 (a) a first port located through top side of the platform, and a second port located through the bottom side of the platform. 
 
     
     
         17 . A swim training device according to  claim 14  further comprising:
 (a) a first port and a second port, both being located through the top side of the platform or both being located through the bottom side of the platform. 
 
     
     
         18 . A swim training device according to  claim 1  further comprising:
 (a) at least one hands pocket located on the top side of the platform. 
 
     
     
         19 . A swim training device according to  claim 18  wherein:
 (a) the at least one hands pocket is formed from a sleeve assembly comprising a cuff member that fits over the platform and extends around the leading edge and the trailing edge of the platform, and the cover extends from the cuff member. 
 
     
     
         20 . A swim training device according to  claim 18  wherein:
 (a) the at least one hands pocket is closed except at a hands entry opening facing the trailing edge of the platform. 
 
     
     
         21 . A swim training device according to  claim 18  wherein:
 (a) the at least one hands pocket includes an opening at a leading portion of the hands pocket in addition to a hands entry opening facing the trailing edge of the platform. 
 
     
     
         22 . A swim training device according to  claim 14  wherein:
 (a) the platform has a maximum width of about 8 inches to about 24 inches from the left edge to the right edge. 
 
     
     
         23 . A swim training device according to  claim 14  wherein:
 (a) the platform has a maximum length from the forward edge to the trailing edge of about 5 inches to about 18 inches. 
 
     
     
         24 . A swim training device according to  claim 14  further comprising:
 (a) a resistance training device for attachment to the platform at the first anchor location and the second anchor location. 
 
     
     
         25 . A swim training device according to  claim 24  wherein:
 (a) the resistance training device comprises a pair of parachute arrangements. 
 
     
     
         26 . A swim training device according to  claim 14  wherein:
 (a) the first anchor location and the second anchor location extend through the platform. 
 
     
     
         27 . A swim training device according to  claim 14  wherein:
 (a) the first anchor location and the second anchor location extend from the platform. 
 
     
     
         28 . A method for kick training, the method comprising:
 (a) griping a swim training device, the swim training device comprising:
 (i) a platform having a top side and a bottom side, and extending longitudinally from a leading edge to a trailing edge and extending laterally from a left edge to a right edge; and 
 (ii) a recess in the bottom side of the platform for providing a finger gripping region to assist with holding the platform when a swimmer's hands wrap the leading edge of the platform; 
 (iii) a chamber within the platform configured to be filled with air, water, or a combination of air and water to adjust a buoyancy of the swim training device; and 
 (iv) at least one port through the platform for accessing the chamber to adjust the buoyancy of the swim training device.