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Swimming with a snorkel?
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 2008-01-21 12:30 AM |
Veteran 231   Sunny Oregon |  Subject: Swimming with a snorkel?Just saw an ad for a Finis(?) Swim Snorkel and a post on another forum about using this in an actual race. I'm new to the sport and have never seen this discussed on BT in my short time here. Are these truly legal in races? Are they commonly used, or are they frowned on by the Tri community? Just curious... Thanks! Edited by Triguy67 2008-01-21 12:33 AM |
| 2008-01-21 3:48 AM in reply to: #1167387 |
Expert 938 Orange County, California | Subject: RE: Swimming with a snorkel? I believe they are legal. It is very rare to see them though. I have heard, but not sure if it is true, that it is hard to get enough air through the snorkel at race speeds, but works ok at slower training speeds. Plus people will be grabbing/ slapping it by accident with all the bodies thrashing about during the start of a crowded swim. |
| 2008-01-21 3:49 AM in reply to: #1167387 |
Expert 938 Orange County, California | Subject: RE: Swimming with a snorkel? |
| 2008-01-21 4:45 AM in reply to: #1167387 |
Expert 1013 White House, TN | Subject: RE: Swimming with a snorkel? I have heard that they are legal as well and I did a quick search of the USAT rules and found nothing prohibiting them... Article IV, para. 9: Illegal Equipment. Any swimmer wearing any artificial propulsion device, including but not limited to fins, gloves, paddles, or floating devices of any kind shall be disqualified.
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| 2008-01-21 8:21 AM in reply to: #1167387 |
Extreme Veteran 552 Minnetonka Beach, MN | Subject: RE: Swimming with a snorkel? Have a friend that loves triathlon, but isn't a great swimmer... 50 min in Oly distance races.... He uses a snorkle and verifies before each race that it is legal since it isn't well known, but it is indeed legal per USAT rules. |
| 2008-01-21 10:21 AM in reply to: #1167387 |
Extreme Veteran 343 Longview | Subject: RE: Swimming with a snorkel? In the last triathlon I was in I saw two people using snorkels.... I also saw another guy using a snorkel the other night at the pool - he was doing laps...but he was also doing flip turns...while using the snorkel...that just seemed odd to me. |
| 2008-01-21 11:40 AM in reply to: #1167387 |
Pro 3673 MAC-opolis | Subject: RE: Swimming with a snorkel? Why would you want to use one anyway? They obviously do not aid in your time or technique.
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| 2008-01-21 11:43 AM in reply to: #1167902 |
Master 1882 Chandler, Arizona | Subject: RE: Swimming with a snorkel? Big Sexy - 2008-01-21 9:40 AM Why would you want to use one anyway? They obviously do not aid in your time or technique.
+1 I think that it would create too much drag, get slapped around and wouldn't provide any benefit during a race. I laugh at the mere thought of even thinking that this would be a good idea. |
| 2008-01-21 12:00 PM in reply to: #1167910 |
Champion 8936 | Subject: RE: Swimming with a snorkel? It's not really so much the drag as it is adding what they call "dead space" to your respiratory system. Air has to be pulled through the snorkel with each breath adding to the work of breathing. Mirg - 2008-01-21 11:43 AM +1 I think that it would create too much drag, get slapped around and wouldn't provide any benefit during a race. I laugh at the mere thought of even thinking that this would be a good idea. |
| 2008-01-21 12:03 PM in reply to: #1167938 |
Pro 3673 MAC-opolis | Subject: RE: Swimming with a snorkel? DerekL - 2008-01-21 1:00 PM It's not really so much the drag as it is adding what they call "dead space" to your respiratory system. Air has to be pulled through the snorkel with each breath adding to the work of breathing. Mirg - 2008-01-21 11:43 AM +1 I think that it would create too much drag, get slapped around and wouldn't provide any benefit during a race. I laugh at the mere thought of even thinking that this would be a good idea. Hey Doc, given that info would it be a tool for improving your overall conditioning sorta like those mouthpieces that restrict air flow during running or cycling? |
| 2008-01-21 12:05 PM in reply to: #1167387 |
Champion 19812 MA | Subject: RE: Swimming with a snorkel? I have one and when I swim with it I'm faster than without. Reason is I don't breath as smoothly as I should so each breath slows me down. I use it to work on my pull as I can watch my arms and not worry about breathing. It is a bit weird as you can't really blow out your nose to have that negative pressure. My swim coach suggested we use a nose plug only while using the freestyle snorkel to avoid that. But I still can't imagine doing a race with one..it is unpleasant to say the least when water gets in it.
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| 2008-01-21 12:08 PM in reply to: #1167387 |
Bob 2194 Binghamton, NY | Subject: RE: Swimming with a snorkel? For a weak swimmer that has trouble with the "breathing to the side" I guess . If you are more comfortable with a snorkel I would highly recommend starting in the back. FWIW, I have one of the Finis snorkels and can't stand it. I read about how great they are and see other competitive swimmers using them but there is always a little water left in the snorkel after a flip turn and I can't get used to it. If someone wants it, make me an offer!! |
| 2008-01-21 1:26 PM in reply to: #1167387 |
Member 22 Somerville, NJ | Subject: RE: Swimming with a snorkel? Thought this was a place to encourage people who are at different levels, not ridicule. To the guy with the snorkel...use it and start wherever you want! Best of luck!  |
| 2008-01-21 1:50 PM in reply to: #1168112 |
Cycling Guru 15134 Fulton, MD | Subject: RE: Swimming with a snorkel? katyesposito - 2008-01-21 2:26 PM Thought this was a place to encourage people who are at different levels, not ridicule. To the guy with the snorkel...use it and start wherever you want! Best of luck! It is, and they aren't discouraging anyone. He asked if using one was allowed/wise and got answers. He didn't even say he had one ........ |
| 2008-01-21 1:57 PM in reply to: #1168112 |
Sneaky Slow 8694 Herndon, VA, | Subject: RE: Swimming with a snorkel? katyesposito - 2008-01-21 2:26 PM Thought this was a place to encourage people who are at different levels, not ridicule. To the guy with the snorkel...use it and start wherever you want! Best of luck! I didn't see anything even close to ridicule in this thread. |
| 2008-01-21 2:15 PM in reply to: #1167387 |
| Extreme Veteran 495 Bluffton, SC | Subject: RE: Swimming with a snorkel? I think it would be a benefit to have the snorkel because you can keep your form longer without having to break it for a breath. When I shim I try to keep my head down in the water and my butt up, when I get a breath the back end drops slightly and I loose momentum. |
| 2008-01-21 2:26 PM in reply to: #1167938 |
Master 1882 Chandler, Arizona | Subject: RE: Swimming with a snorkel? DerekL - 2008-01-21 10:00 AM It's not really so much the drag as it is adding what they call "dead space" to your respiratory system. Air has to be pulled through the snorkel with each breath adding to the work of breathing. Mirg - 2008-01-21 11:43 AM +1 I think that it would create too much drag, get slapped around and wouldn't provide any benefit during a race. I laugh at the mere thought of even thinking that this would be a good idea. That's a better way of putting it. For somebody that has trouble breathing efficiently I would think that practicing your breathing would be much more beneficial then using a tool that isn't particle. It's one thing to use one in training but in a race I think it would hinder the user more then help them. Theres always the old adage, "train how you race". |
| 2008-01-21 4:04 PM in reply to: #1168112 |
Pro 3673 MAC-opolis | Subject: RE: Swimming with a snorkel? katyesposito - 2008-01-21 2:26 PM Thought this was a place to encourage people who are at different levels, not ridicule. To the guy with the snorkel...use it and start wherever you want! Best of luck! We typically only see what it is we are looking for. Re-read the thread...no ridicule here. |
| 2008-01-21 11:54 PM in reply to: #1167938 |
| Veteran 231 Sunny Oregon | Subject: RE: Swimming with a snorkel? DerekL - 2008-01-21 10:00 AM It's not really so much the drag as it is adding what they call "dead space" to your respiratory system. Air has to be pulled through the snorkel with each breath adding to the work of breathing. Derek - point well taken, but I'm scratching my head over that too. If I recall reading correctly, water is what, 800x more dense than air (?), so one already has to significantly alter the force of your breathing when swimming, when compared to running/cycling. As a novice swimmer that's something that I'm struggling with - I'm having a hard time getting into any type of smooth rhythm with my stroke because I seem to be working so hard at getting all of the "spent" air out of my lungs to begin with. I can't imagine pulling air through a snorkel would equate to the resistance offered by the water itself but maybe I'm wrong. I don't think a snorkel is necessarily a cure-all, but was very curious by the post I had seen since I'd never heard of it before. I'm now a little more enlightened! And to the other previous posters, no offense taken and no ridicule perceived. I WILL be at the back of the pack, but that's just because I'm slow in general and a struggling swimmer. I might have to breastroke a good chunk of it, but I'm gonna make it (and I suspect sans the snorkel)! |
| 2008-01-22 2:49 AM in reply to: #1167387 |
Veteran 125 Kailua-Kona now in Oregon, | Subject: RE: Swimming with a snorkel? Living in Hawaii, I swim with a lot of people who use snorkels, so it's not that uncommon here. I used one in my first tri because I couldn't swim and breathe at the same time. It was extremely hard to get enough air -- like a bad asthma attack. I've haven't used one since ... The people that use them say it's like training at altitude and it helps their overall breathing. About half the people I swim with once a week when we swim the Ironman course use snorkels, I presume for breathing strength training. But like someone said, if you need to use one, use it. If I wouldn't have used one on my first tri I probaly would have given up and never tried it at all. I didn't know they were legal at the bigger, official tris or I probably wouldn't have worked so hard to learn to swim without one ... |
| 2008-02-11 9:33 PM in reply to: #1167387 |
Extreme Veteran 398 Denver | Subject: RE: Swimming with a snorkel? I'm currently training for my first tri and having a very hard time with the swimming. like so many others here at bt I started as a runner/rider and loved idea of the challenge involved in triathlon. after several months of trying to learn to swim efficiently I still struggle mightily simply trying to breath while swimming. not sure if it's physics or a mental block about having to hold my breath while I'm used to constantly breathing while running. just today I tried a snorkel in the pool and was amazed at how helpfull it was. my first planned tri is 3/15/08 and up until today I was thinking I may have to cancel those plans. I'm going to continue to train with the snorkel on and off and if I'm ready by march I won't use it, if I feel I need it in the race I'm glad to find out in this thread that it would be legal tol use it. by the way Mirq I take no offense but saying "you laugh at the mere thought" of using a snorkel in a race is obviously not taking into account that there are many people at many skill levels...many weaknesses and many strengths. should I give up my dream of competing in tri's because you might laugh at me or should I use what's available and helpful for me as an individual? |
| 2008-02-11 10:28 PM in reply to: #1167387 |
| Vancouver, BC | Subject: RE: Swimming with a snorkel? I own the Finis freestyle snorkel. I use it mainly for drills and kicking, it's great being able to focus completely on the drill, and not have breathing interrupt it. I don't use it for laps, and don't think I ever will, the reason is because I don't like blowing out the water out after flip turns. It stays on sturdy with a head mount. Although, for me the head piece doesn't sit completely flat, so it's a little uncomfortable. They should have put a pivot axle where the head mount attaches to the snorkel. As for the taste, it's pretty nasty at the start. I recommend soaking it in luke warm water overnight before using it. It's better now, still a slight odor. As for breathing, it's pretty good. Not much resistance. All Finis products can be reviewed here: http://finisinc.blogspot.com/ |
| 2008-02-12 7:16 AM in reply to: #1168226 |
Expert 828 | Subject: RE: Swimming with a snorkel? AUSQuest - 2008-01-21 2:15 PM I think it would be a benefit to have the snorkel because you can keep your form longer without having to break it for a breath. When I shim I try to keep my head down in the water and my butt up, when I get a breath the back end drops slightly and I loose momentum. Yup...me too.....dang frustrating. I had a guy watch me swim and he said I have a "great stroke"....as long as I don't take a breath.....still working on it.......incessantly. I may resort to the snorkel to see if it is any benefit |
| 2008-02-12 9:31 AM in reply to: #1167387 |
Master 1790 Tyler, TX | Subject: RE: Swimming with a snorkel? Use one now if you need one, but work hard on swimming so you no longer need it! Sighting on an OWS with a snorkel must be difficult. And if you can sight fairly smoothly with a snorkel you can probably breath and sight just fine without one. Brian |
| 2008-02-12 9:44 AM in reply to: #1206919 |
Extreme Veteran 398 Denver | Subject: RE: Swimming with a snorkel? this is exactly my plan. but I don't want to miss an event if I don't have to |
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