I'm looking for a hard styrofoam single-piece pull buoy and I can't find one. Here are problems I see with current offerings:
Tyr pull float. This isn't buoyant enough, plus I think it will absorb water a little bit and will stay soggy in my locker.
Lincoln Leg Floats. Perfect buoyancy, dries off easily and doesn't remain soggy, but it's too slippery and nearly impossible to keep between your thighs.
Two-piece soft styrofoam. This type will stay soggy.
Something just like the Lincoln Leg Float, but made from hard styrofoam would be perfect. I know they used to make these, but I can't find them. I think if you're not careful with them, the styrofoam pellets could slough off and start clogging pool filters. Maybe that's why they're no longer made.
Any suggestions?
I use my styrofoam pull bouy, a lot! I'm new to swimming and have relied on it because my legs sink so badly. Without it, I swim "uphill". Should I quit using it and switch to fins? I tried just dragging my legs and I wen down like the Titantic. :drown:
(EDIT: lest you think you can't do this, I also have "heavy" legs. It's not terribly easy at first, but it's doable.)
Maybe try some balance drills. Our coach had us do this a couple weeks ago, 6x75 as follows:
Gently push off from the wall & hold the streamline. Balance yourself. Use your core muscles and/or head/arm/leg position to make yourself float level.
When you need to breathe, lift your head to take a breath then return to the streamline position. Adjust as necessary.
After six breathe/streamline cycles scull to the end of the pool. That completes the first 25.
Swim the next 50 focusing on the streamline and balance.
When I'm on my own and impatient I've dropped it to three breaths and just swim a 25 after the streamline/scull 25. (I can't really do 75's at the club where I work out because they lack a pace clock and I can't see the wall clock from the far end of the pool.)
Skip Montanaro
I use my styrofoam pull bouy, a lot! I'm new to swimming and have relied on it because my legs sink so badly. Without it, I swim "uphill". Should I quit using it and switch to fins? I tried just dragging my legs and I wen down like the Titantic. :drown:
(EDIT: lest you think you can't do this, I also have "heavy" legs. It's not terribly easy at first, but it's doable.)
Maybe try some balance drills. Our coach had us do this a couple weeks ago, 6x75 as follows:
Gently push off from the wall & hold the streamline. Balance yourself. Use your core muscles and/or head/arm/leg position to make yourself float level.
When you need to breathe, lift your head to take a breath then return to the streamline position. Adjust as necessary.
After six breathe/streamline cycles scull to the end of the pool. That completes the first 25.
Swim the next 50 focusing on the streamline and balance.
When I'm on my own and impatient I've dropped it to three breaths and just swim a 25 after the streamline/scull 25. (I can't really do 75's at the club where I work out because they lack a pace clock and I can't see the wall clock from the far end of the pool.)
Skip Montanaro
