Last Updated on February 28, 2024 by admin
In this article, we’ll provide advice, hacks and tips on the benefits of training with a swim snorkel.
What is a swim snorkel?
A swim snorkel is a specialist piece of swimming breathing equipment used predominately during freestyle and butterfly training.
- It allows a swimmer to breathe when their face is in the water.
- It consists of a mouthpiece and a breathing tube, positioned centrally over the swimmer’s face, supported by a head strap.
The benefits of training with a swim snorkel
Training with a swim snorkel can provide a swimmer with many benefits. These include,
Stroke technique
They can be a great way of enabling the swimmer to focus on their stroke technique without the distraction of having to perform a regular breathing pattern.
- This can allow the swimmer to develop a more balanced stroke.
- Many long and mid-distance swimmers use a swim snorkel while developing and maintaining their stroke length.
Body and head position
They can help the swimmers keep their body and head aligned in the correct position
Leg kick development
Some coaches use a swim snorkel for streamlined kicking sets.
- This enables the swimmer to remain in an optimum horizontal prone position.
- This allows the swimmer to focus on developing their leg kick.
Speed development
As a swim snorkel allows swimmers to swim undistracted in the optimum position, many sprinters use them during speed drills to help develop their swimming speed.
Cardiovascular development
Some swim snorkels can have a cardio cap fitted.
- A cardio cap reduces the amount of air a swimmer can receive via a swim snorkel.
- This is used for hypoxic training to increase the ability of muscles to work better when oxygen levels are low.
Related articles on stroke count and stroke rate
We have produced related articles, on both how to use stroke count and stroke rate and stroke count and stroke rate drills. You can view it by clicking these links: how to use stroke count and stroke rate | stroke count and stroke rate drills.
How to use a swim snorkel
A swim snorkel can be used by swimmers of all ages and abilities.
- Some swimmers may find that it can take a few training sessions to get used to training with a swim snorkel.
- Firstly, they should not be used when diving from the poolside/deck or a starting block.
- When performing a push and glide start or a turn, swimmers may find that their swim snorkel moves as a result of the water pressure, before it returns to its proper position as soon as they surface.
- Swimmers will also have to learn to remove any water that may enter the swim snorkel by way of performing a vigorous whale-like exhalation.
- Swimmer should ensure that when performing freestyle, they focus on keeping their head as still as possible.
- Some swimmers prefer using a nose clip when using a swim snorkel to ensure that water does not enter their nose.
- Junior or less experienced swimmers may benefit from wearing swim fins when first mastering their use.
Swim snorkel introductory drills
Listed below are some of our favourite swim snorkel introductory drills.
Duck down drill
Purpose: To introduce a swimmer with the correct breathing technique to help clear the water for the swim snorkel
How to perform this drill: Swimmers should first practice clearing water from their swim snorkels in shallow water.
- They should start by ducking their head under the surface, ensuring that their snorkel is full of water.
- Then they raise their head above the surface, while performing a powerful and explosive blow (exhale) to clear all of the water out of their snorkel.
Blowhole drill introduction
Purpose: To develop a swimmer to the breathing technique required to remove water from their swim snorkel while swimming.
How to perform this drill: From a push and glide approximately a metre under the surface, from the end of the pool.
- As soon as the swimmer rises to the surface, they should perform a vigorous whale-like exhalation, which completely clears their snorkel.
- They should continue to swim freestyle for a length/lap of the pool.
- Every five strokes they should perform a surface dive, again approximately a metre under the surface.
- As with the push and glide, as soon as the swimmer rises to the surface from their surface dive, they should perform a vigorous whale-like exhalation, which completely clears their snorkel.
- Swimmers should ensure they have enough space in the lane to perform this drill correctly and are not rushed by other swimmers.
Blowhole drill development
Purpose: To further develop a swimmer’s breathing technique. This drill introduces the swimmer to how to remove water from their swim snorkel following a tumble/flip turn.
How to perform this drill:
- As for the drill above, the swimmer performs a push and glide and a series of surface drives every five freestyle strokes
- However, this drill requires the swimmer to perform this drill over two lengths/laps.
- The swimmer should perform a tumble/flip turn at the end of their first length/lap.
- Again, as soon as the swimmer rises to the surface, they should perform a vigorous whale-like exhalation, which completely clears their snorkel.
- They should continue to swim freestyle for the remaining length/lap of the pool.
- Swimmers should ensure they have enough space in the lane to perform this drill correctly and are not rushed by other swimmers.
Blowhole drill mid-pool turns
Purpose: To further develop a swimmer’s swim snorkel breathing technique. This drill introduces the swimmer to how to remove water from their swim snorkel following a series of mid-pool turns.
How to perform this drill: Starting from a push and glide at the end of the pool, the swimmer performs a series of tumble turns, down the length of the pool, after every five strokes.
- As soon as the swimmer completes a mid-pool turn, they should perform a vigorous whale-like exhalation, which completely clears their snorkel.
- Swimmers should ensure they have enough space in the lane to perform this drill correctly and are not rushed by other swimmers.
Takeaways
The benefits of training with a swim snorkel
Training with a swim snorkel can provide a swimmer with many benefits. These include,
- Stroke technique
- Body and head position
- Leg kick development
- Speed development
- Cardiovascular development
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