Why Swimmers Need to Use a Snorkel

Snorkels allow swimmers to concentrate more on their stroke technique rather than the necessary task of obtaining air. As all mammals do, you need air—obtaining it is the most important thing you do in swimming.

But when you’re learning, either for the first time or as a seasoned pro working on the finer points of your stroke, reaching for that sweet air sometimes means sacrificing good technique or being distracted from what you’re working on.

Enter the center-mount swim snorkel. This ingenious piece of equipment allows you to keep proper alignment, good head position, and removes the need to turn or lift your head to grab air when you’re focused on getting your catch, pull, rotation, or any technique just right.

There are many good uses of a snorkel and not just for freestyle. The benefits are numerous including reducing the anxiety associated with breath holding and regulation, developing a better stroke, and injury prevention.

• Breathing—Humans need air, and that’s your brain’s priority when you’re swimming. Technique comes second. Many swimmers, especially those learning as adults, experience anxiety around when and where to breathe. Struggling with this causes numerous technique issues and reduces confidence. A snorkel allows you to relax, knowing you’ll get air, which allows you to focus on your technique.
• Developing a Better Stroke—Even if you don’t experience anxiety about breathing, having your face in the water and being able to breathe at the same time allows you to notice things about your stroke and hand path that you may not otherwise notice when interrupting your stroke to rotate to breathe. You can slow your stroke down and concentrate on every movement as you’re not rushing to get to the next breath.
• Injury Prevention—It follows that better stroke mechanics help prevent injuries. A snorkel allows for you to even out your stroke if you prefer to breathe to one side only. This prevents muscular imbalance which can lead to injury. You can also identify movements that cause extra strain or even pain on your shoulders. In addition, for swimmers who have arthritis or previous neck or spine injuries, the snorkel can be the difference between not swimming and being able to continue a beloved and healthy exercise regimen.

What kind of snorkel should I get?

Since its introduction, many manufacturers have entered the market for center-mount swim snorkels. Which one is right for you is largely a matter of preference. There are a few things to consider when thinking about adding a snorkel to your training equipment. There are a variety of shapes, diameters, and lengths.

• Curve—Some designs have more of a J shape, with the opening to the snorkel vertical or straight up over the head, while others have more of a C shape, with the opening facing more toward your feet. Depending on what kind of a swimmer you are, you may inadvertently splash water into the snorkel with a C shape, since the bore hole is closer to the water. New swimmers tend to do better with J-shaped snorkels.
• Width—Many novice swimmers prefer a wider tube or bore to facilitate easier breathing. Heavy breathing can be due to either being early in developing an efficient stroke, or perhaps having some anxiety. A wide-bore snorkel can help ensure sufficient air. As anxiety subsides and efficiency increases, the oxygen demand will be less, and a small-bore snorkel, which is more compact, can replace it.
• Length—The higher up the bore hole is out of the water, the less likely your snorkel is to accumulate splash water. Longer C-shaped snorkels allow for a more relaxed head position and for some, less water intrusion. Experienced swimmers tend to prefer more compact snorkels—their strokes are more developed and less splashy, so they don’t need a very long snorkel to keep the bore dry.
• Valve—Many snorkels have a purge valve, a little chamber near the mouthpiece that can help purge water from the tube. Some swimmers use this, some see it as a weak point since the valves can be damaged or get debris stuck in them, and some have no preference at all. Many experienced swimmers tend to prefer minimalist snorkels that have a small bore, compact length, and no valve.

As with most types of training equipment, there’s a lot of variability in your snorkel choices. The basic benefits are the same: stroke development, technique focus, anxiety reduction, and reduction in risk of injury.

Snorkels help with many, many parts of your workout, including drilling, kicking, sculling, and even butterfly. The big idea is to be able to leave your face in the water and concentrate on how you manipulate and put pressure on the water.

Given that snorkels are relatively inexpensive, this is an easy add to your equipment bag. Learning how to use it efficiently will take time, but it’s bound to become an essential piece of gear in your swim journey.