center-mount snorkels finis swimmer's vs. frestyle
Former Member
I use a snorkel in my longer pool workouts. I use it for drills & w/u and frankly when I'm too bored! I want to use it to simulate what i can of altitude trianing (not getting enough air).
So that said, my old snorkel (which I first bought @ 8 years ago to use with a mono fin) is tired out (all the plastic is cracking and making the air taste bad). I was going to just repalce it with the swimmer's snorkel which about the same thing but i noticed the free styler which is cheaper and might work better (I have trouble with the old one swinging around off its little pivot which is part of the aging I suppose).
So any advice from anyone, reviews? Likes/dislikes?
Former Member
I use the finis...I haven't had any problems with it, except making sure that when I start a swim that the snorkel hasn't pivoted. Sometimes this is a problem on flip turns as well. I have never seen the other snorkel you mention though.
Former Member
I also have both snorkels. I hardly ever use the freestyle snorkel though. I think its less expensive because it is a different and poorer material. It also doesn't have a valve on the bottom.
Pros for Swimmers Snorkel:
Lasts a LONG time...I think i have had it for 6 years and it still works great!
Has a valve on the bottom - helps clear the water out of the bottom and the top when you get water in the tube.
Great for technique use and not having to worry about turning my head to breathe...i can concentrate on swimming!
Cons for Swimmers Snorkel:
Wobbles a little on my turns - i really have to flip straight over in order for it not to flop around (which is what I am supposed to do anyway but dont!)
Pros for Freestyle Snorkel:
There is less wobble on the turns (but i still end up having to fix it some times)
Keeps my head down
Good for long pulling sets (freestyle only)
Cons for Freestyle Snorkel:
Was a lot harder to get used to - i wouldn't recommend it for beginners.
Harder to expel water - there is no valve on the bottom
Can't use it for different strokes
Sorry for the long explanations of each, but I hope that helps! I would say go for the swimmers snorkel. I use it for something just about every workout.
I have both and I do not like the freestyle snorkle. Yes it is much easier to flip with but that is it's only good point IMHO. It is much harder to clear of water.If you don't have it perfecly alligned the tip will hit your arm on recovery.One purported advantage of it is that if your raise your head you will suck water teaching you to keep your head down. This is true,but you get the same effect from waves from lanemates. The regular swimmers snorkle is great.
Former Member
Thanks!!! That was the feedback I needed. I don't want to be sucking up my lane-mate's spalshes or a little wind-chop when I'm trying to concentrate on my stroke. I will replace the old swimmer's with a new one. Mine is @ 8 years old (I think I got one of the early ones on the market) and used in the sun in both pool and ocean. It also took a dive to 60 feet (some diver's found it in an underwater canyon and called the phone number I had put on it). I might try duct-taping the joint area for a while to see if it might last a little longer.
