I'm curious as to which is more common -- being slower with a pull buoy or being faster, and why some people are one way rather than the other? Personally, I am far slower with a pull buoy. I attribute this to my natural buoyancy (ahem) as well as having a fairly strong kick when I want to, although I often feel as though I am not kicking very hard, so I'm not sure how much of a factor that is.
Anyway, being slow with a pull buoy becomes very frustrating in practice -- it's hard to keep up with lanemates who I am normally faster than or equal to. Not sure if there is anything to be done about that.
Don't use a pullbuoy. If I want to do arm pulls, I just do. Legs trailing behind. (not sinking.....). I naturally ride high-ish.
Yeah, that's the interesting thing... if I don't kick at all, my legs *do* sink. So, I either end up using the pull buoy (and being way behind my lanemates) or blowing off the drill and just swimming. Maybe I need a buoy with very low flotation... does any such thing exist??
The poll results are also very interesting to me... so far, lots of people both slower and faster with buoys (but more who go slower than faster) -- but most people not saying that their speed changes "much."
For some reason, I had expected that there would be few if any people in the "speed unchanged" category.
Anyway, thanks to everyone who responded. It's good to know I'm not the only one out there who goes (much) slower with a buoy, but I'm still not sure if it's something I should be worried about.
Don't use a pullbuoy. If I want to do arm pulls, I just do. Legs trailing behind. (not sinking.....). I naturally ride high-ish.
Yeah, that's the interesting thing... if I don't kick at all, my legs *do* sink. So, I either end up using the pull buoy (and being way behind my lanemates) or blowing off the drill and just swimming. Maybe I need a buoy with very low flotation... does any such thing exist??
The poll results are also very interesting to me... so far, lots of people both slower and faster with buoys (but more who go slower than faster) -- but most people not saying that their speed changes "much."
For some reason, I had expected that there would be few if any people in the "speed unchanged" category.
Anyway, thanks to everyone who responded. It's good to know I'm not the only one out there who goes (much) slower with a buoy, but I'm still not sure if it's something I should be worried about.
