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.
...
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.
If you need a pull-buoy to go faster, then you likely are:
a. Underutilizing your kick
b. Not using your core to maintain proper body alignment
c. Both a & b
Don't worry, you are better off working to go faster without the buoy, since you can't use it in competition, anyway! :)
...
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.
If you need a pull-buoy to go faster, then you likely are:
a. Underutilizing your kick
b. Not using your core to maintain proper body alignment
c. Both a & b
Don't worry, you are better off working to go faster without the buoy, since you can't use it in competition, anyway! :)
