Swimming boards and swimming aids are known, e.g. from DE-PS 593 763, DE 43 33 941 A1, DE-GM 1 770 532 as well as the prospectus of the company, Volley Sportartikel GmbH, Ispo 1989, pages 18 to 20. DE-PS 593 763 discloses an auxiliary device for teaching oneself to swim, wherein a shaped board comprises, at the rear end, a semicircular recess for supporting the chin of the swimmer as well as, on its top surface, at least two handles which are provided at arm's length distance in forward direction on the top surface of the board.
DE-GM 17 70 532 discloses a swimming board, which comprises a substantial body having at least two handles and a cutout for the head or chin of the swimmer. The swimming board is used as a simple aid for learning to swim, for lifesaving as well as an aid for rescuing shipwrecked persons.
DE 43 33 341 A1 discloses a swimming aid comprising buoyancy elements, which in numerous variants are connected to a carrier element. The swimming aid is fastened by a belt to the waist region of the swimmer.
Said previously known swimming boards, aids for learning to swim and rescue aids are usable only for their, in each case, very narrowly defined intended application.
Swimming systems are likewise known, particularly in the form of a two-part training aid for swimmers, which comprises a flat basic element and a resistance element insertable vertically into the latter.
The flat basic element is substantially rectangular with a trapezoidal moulding provided in the top region. The corners are in each case rounded-off. In the upper trapezoidal projection, an elongate rectangular slot is provided. In the lower region of the flat basic element, round openings are provided at a distance from the outside edge of the basic element. On the one hand, feet may be inserted through said round openings. On the other hand, however, the front portions of the hand may engage therein, with the balls of the thumbs being held firmly against the outside edge of the flat basic element. The flat resistance element has a middle region, which fits exactly into the elongate rectangular slot of the flat basic element. Outside of said middle region, the resistance element protrudes at the one side. In so doing, it forms a substantially rectangular region with rounded corners and two round openings arranged symmetrically relative to one another in the surface of said region. The other sub-region of the resistance element adjacent to the region engaging into the flat slot is provided in an inward direction with recesses, the dimensions of which are such that there is room inside for the ankles. The recess is delimited at the outer side of the resistance element by elongate end regions projecting in a hammer-like manner and describing a curve with a flat edge. The resistance element when inserted into the slot inside the basic element creates a water resistance, wherein said resistance element on account of the water flowing against it may execute a tilting motion inside the rectangular slot.
Such swimming systems, while being already somewhat more versatile than the swimming aids initially discussed at the start, are however still usable only in a very restricted and limited manner.
The object of the invention is to provide a swimming and/or gymnastics system according to the preamble of claim 1, which may be grasped and held fast very well by the hands, involves only a low expenditure of material and is usable in an extremely versatile manner for swimming exercises and gymnastics exercises in water but also on land.