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Just a quick question,do any of the forum members use center snorkels to swim laps?


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Yes I do bit only to focus on stroke technique and body posture it helps a lot

I do. It definitely helps with body position. Flip turns are tougher. One of the guys at my gym has a neck injury so he can't turn his head all the way to one side, so that's why he uses it.

I’d ask at the pool first, as a lot in the UK won’t allow snorkels on health and safety grounds. I Enquired to a few round me a while ago about using one, as I’ve been trying to learn to swim on and off for a number of years struggling with breathing caused by weak leg kick, poor body position (tend to sink when trying to breathe) and a sore/weak lower back. As my thinking was as I struggle to even do half to two thirds of a length, at least if I removed the breathing head/body rotation (which can make my back worse/suddenly tense up) and could manage a couple of lengths I’d at least start to build up my legs and back and actually make progress.

But I was told by both pools I enquired to that they were banned (during any sessions, even with supervision) under health and safety grounds, could possibly bump into other swimmers and with a person’s head permanently face down the lifeguards wouldn’t be able to tell if someone was in difficulty or not.
While I don’t completely agree, rather than the pool take the risk and have something happen they just totally ban them instead.

Thanks Karlos,

What a silly rule. Well that puts that idea to bed.


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Lifeguards there must be a bit basic. Rarely use them, but only for focused swimming drills

I have had a reply to an email I sent to a pool near me and they have banned snorkels of every description from the pool. I am waiting to hear from 2 more.
I find this shocking to be honest. Big Brother gone mad.

Speedoaddict wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 20, 2019 6:35 am

I have had a reply to an email I sent to a pool near me and they have banned snorkels of every description from the pool. I am waiting to hear from 2 more.
I find this shocking to be honest. Big Brother gone mad.

Wow, that seems fairly insane.

I use one once in a while either. It can help to better feel and correct your position since you don't have to bother anymore about the breathing sideways. I also use it for some kick series to avoid some pain in the neck, but not too often. I even have a cap that I can put on the tip of it that reduces the breathing hole size. This is supposed to help to improve your pulmonary capacity. In general though, I find it is not the most essential accessory, I find the pull buoy, the fins, the paddles and the kickboard much more useful, but that's me.