Even the softest hand entry creates some spalsh... especially with paddles one. While I noticed this has a bit of SLAM associated with the entry, it wasn't on purpose, but rather, is the FALL of the hand during the entry.
Paddles. Swimmers and coaches either love 'em or hate 'em, but you can't avoid 'em. Paddles have been a part of swimming for a LONG time, and will continue to be.
In teaching freestyle, especially the high elbow part of the pull, we sometimes tell swimmers to lead with their fingers pointed down. This is to encourage the hand to drop below the elbow, and to help the swimmer create a pulling surface or "ledge