I don't use these often, and I wonder if one can become a good swimmer without them? I think of folks who grew up near water and are "natural" good swimmers; I'm sure they didn't need these tools to learn swimming? Nothing wrong with using them, but I don't seem to have the patience to use them. Today I just kicked across the pool without kickboard and it felt fine.:agree: Can't we improving the kicks without using the kickboard? Samethoughts about the fins and pull buoys... Am I missing something?
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Former Member
I don't see a lot of people doing this, but one good use for a snorkel would be to kick on your stomach without a board. Then you'd never have to lift your head for a breath, which to me is the major reason I hate kicking without a board on my stomach to begin with.
Also, swimming with a snorkel definitely decreases your oxygen uptake, so it could potentially be used to simulate altitude training. I think to be effective you'd need to do a large percentage of your workout with the snorkel, though.
I actually train with a husband and wife that ONLY swim with a snorkel, and they can go at a pretty good clip for 30-45 minutes. I think for any one who has neck or back issues a snorkel is a much better choice than a kickboard.
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Former Member
I don't see a lot of people doing this, but one good use for a snorkel would be to kick on your stomach without a board. Then you'd never have to lift your head for a breath, which to me is the major reason I hate kicking without a board on my stomach to begin with.
Also, swimming with a snorkel definitely decreases your oxygen uptake, so it could potentially be used to simulate altitude training. I think to be effective you'd need to do a large percentage of your workout with the snorkel, though.
I actually train with a husband and wife that ONLY swim with a snorkel, and they can go at a pretty good clip for 30-45 minutes. I think for any one who has neck or back issues a snorkel is a much better choice than a kickboard.
