Sometimes Breathing is Good
By Lanky from Golden, CO on 05/04/2012

I wasn't sure if this was going to be a useful tool while swimming so when coach said we had to have a Swimmer's Snorkel I was dragging my feet to buy one.

We use this to practice a stable head and how to focus on the correct stroke without worrying about our breath. It takes some getting use too and some of the members on our team still have a hard time with it but they are always rushing everything. My biggest word of advice is to play with it swim nice and slow at first doing 25s (SC) or 50s (LC) and build up to speed. Also if you want to do flip turns with the Snorkel make sure you are flipping straight over and don't breath out while in streamline otherwise you have no air to clear out your snorkel when you surface. Learned that from experience. I had to swim the 25 as a negative (no air in my lungs). It sucks when you are not planning for it.

All of that discovery took me 2 practices with the snorkel. Now I work well with it. It is a tool I can wait to use. I would suggest this to anyone who needs some technique work. I would suggest getting the "FINIS Cardio Cap" as well. I bought it because it was $5 and it has made my breathing stronger plus it keeps some water out of the snorkel.

Happy Swimming

Awesome aid!
By Dee V. from GTA, ON on 04/27/2012

I have severe arthritis in my neck, back and knees. Rotating to breathe causes knee pain; turning my head to breathe causes neck pain. When I started using the Swimmer's Snorkel, I immediately was able to increase my lengths from 16 to 40 - then as high as 80 at a time. And now with the Swimmer's Snorkel, no neck pain after I swim.
The centre mounted snorkel makes all the difference; with a regular side-mount (diving) snorkel, the drag, though subtle, was enough to leave my neck aching. This product is fantastic! I'm so much more fit and ready to move on to masters' level swims. Thank you!
And my suggestion to people who have issues with the purge valve is to ensure that it's clean. Pop it out and clean with soap and water as crud can collect in it with extended use; clean it, rinse it, pop it back in - make sure you pay attention to which way the valve goes! As well, if there's even a small tear in the very thin membrane of the purge valve, you'll have leakage; the valve is replaceable, only costing about $2, and will return your Swimmer's Snorkel to new condition.

Works great!
By MK from AZ on 04/25/2012

Have to be patient to get this snorkel to fit comfortable. But once you do it works great for the freestyle stroke. No more water in my ears! You can just keep going and going!

Amazing product by FINIS
By Steve M. from Boca Raton, FL on 04/13/2012

Great for practicing lengthening your stroke...:)