Flapping paddle and vertical stabilizer for swimmer

A swimming apparatus comprising:

• A) a paddle assembly for two handed operation, comprising
• an elongate shaft having a long axis and
• an intermediate portion connecting two end portions, the intermediate portion constructed for gripping along the long axis by two hands of a swimmer;
• a pair of rigid blades, each blade having a free trailing edge and a leading edge, each blade being affixed to one of the end portions so as to maintain the two blades in a common plane;
• resilient flaps disposed one on either side of each blade with an anterior margin of the flap attached along substantially the entire length thereof to the leading edge of the blade and a posterior margin of the flap free to move away from the blade on a pulling stroke for increased hydrodynamic resistance and to move against the blade on a return stroke for reduced hydrodynamic resistance;
• and
• B) a vertical stabilizing means for resisting lateral motion of a swimmer's lower body induced by operation of the paddle assembly, the vertical stabilizing means comprising at least one broad panel, the stabilizing means being attachable to the lower limbs of the swimmer and so constructed as to permit independent motion of each lower limb when so attached for independent kicking motion, while presenting the at least one panel in an orientation transverse to the side by side motion of the lower body.

A water paddle end attached to an elongate handle, the paddle end presenting reduced hydrodynamic resistance when moved by the handle in a first direction through water and presenting an increased hydrodynamic resistance when moved in a second direction opposite to said first direction through water, the improvement comprising:

• an elongate handle;
• a shaft having a long axis and first and second shaft ends, the shaft connected to said handle at the first shaft end;
• a rigid blade having a free trailing edge and a leading edge, the blade being affixed to the second shaft end;
• two resilient flaps disposed one on either side of the blade, each flap having an anterior margin attached along substantially the entire length thereof to the leading edge of the blade and having a posterior margin of the flap free to move away from the blade on movement in said second direction for increased hydrodynamic resistance, and to flatten against the blade on movement in said first direction for reduced hydrodynamic resistance.