Freestyle Center-Mount Swimming Snorkel , Yellow, Adult

I am a former competitive swimmer who now swims for fitness. This is the 3rd one I have owned, and I have gifted a couple others. This is a great training tool, it is not really intended as a recreational snorkel as wave action and improper head position will fill the tube with water. It’s best use is in lap pool swimming. This is a long comment but IMO this is the most important training aid in my swim bag. Here is what I love about this snorkel: 1. The design forces the user to maintain proper head position for freestyle as there is a natural tendency to look at the wall one is headed towards and this slight movement lifts the chin which causes the hips to sink, making swimming slower and harder. One can concentrate on technique in several areas when unemcumbered by breathing cycle of the stroke. That being said , you should try to synchronize the breathing to where you would normally breathe in the stroke cycle , exhalation and inhalation to avoid bad habits. The only other training aid I have found that reinforces good head position are “prism” style goggles like Speedo Hydralign or better yet Arena Swedix goggles- both of these allow you to look slightly forward while actually keeping head down. As an added benefit , if you have back or neck issues, having proper alignment from this tool minimizes or relieves the stress of hyperextended cervical and lumbar spine in swimming freestyle. 2. The snorkel balances out the right and left arm in terms of load distribution and allows you to see things like hand entry ( which should be in front of the shoulder) and to monitor other technique like early vertical forearm ( “ high elbow catch position) which is also crucial for freestyle. Most of us breathe on a favorite side, which is great for races but tends to overuse/overdevelope on side. The freestyle centerline snorkel strengthens your weaker side, and can help you swim straighter. Paddling a surf board has a similar benefit. 3. In addition to stroke technique , not having to focus on breathing technique allows you to pay attention to hip rotation and extension as well as proper position for kicking- with or without fins. Some coaches now advocate kicking without kick boards and again, if you have neck or back problems it can be useful to kick with the snorkel instead of a board. It’s also allows you to do flip turns as you reach the wall rather than grabbing the wall when using a board. 4. There are additional aerobic benefits too- even without the optional “cardio cap” (which I wouldn’t use until you are completely comfortable with the snorkel). 5. It works particularly well when simultaneously using a pull buoy, either traditional or ankle /leg Finis design. I also use it for breast stroke and breast stroke kicking. Synchronization with butterfly a bit trickier but kicking can go fine, esp w/ fins for butterfly. There is a bit of a learning curve for this device but it will become routine after just a few workouts. Start with 200 yds/meters a session then add on more after 5 or so swims. After you get the hang of it you can go any distance. The lack of a purge valve is actually a good thing: it forces proper technique and teaches you to get a good breath heading into the wall if you are doing flip turns. Flips turns require some air to blow out/ purge the snorkel after pushing off the wall underwater just before surfacing.It takes a little practice. Purge valves can start getting a bit nasty after a while and trap a bit of moisture after use.DO NOT try to use the “dry top” with this snorkel model- it doesn’t work( due to the angle of the opening above water). Swimmers and triathletes use and appreciate centerline snorkels, and Finis Freestyle is the best for swimming mainly free IMO. Swimming and triathlete coaches also recommend centerline snorkel use. Sorry for massive comments.Hope this helps.

LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT! I've swam off and on for fitness my whole life, but as I've gotten older I have found that I can't turn my head enough to get a decent inhale and I tend to get water in my nose. Because of some neck pain I also tend to keep my head up a little. This snorkel is amazing. I had read a review stating that water got into the snorkel (possibly due to loose squeeze on the mouth piece). I kept this in mind for the first use and decided to just practice by putting head in the water and breathing. Within a few minutes I was comfortable and began my laps. For the first time in a long time I was able to do the length of the pool without feeling like I was struggling to breathe. Another review I read stated that using the snorkel helped improve swimming stroke/form and I totally agree. I used it as recommended on the website -that is to warm up with it, then without, the warm down with it. I noticed that I had much better form after using the snorkel. My husband is like me with regard to our swimming for fitness and after he tried my snorkel he came home that night and ordered one for himself. In his words..."this is good stuff!" He is able to inhale through his mouth/snorkel and exhale through his nose, but when I tried it, I sucked in a lot of water -I just couldn't get the rhythm of it. I did fine with inhaling and exhaling via my mouth/snorkel so that's how I'm gonna continue. My only concern is that if the mouth piece breaks or wears out, the company does not seem to offer a replacement piece, which means replacing the whole thing. Hopefully, it will last a while. Keep in mind that my husband and I are your average Joes and it works GREAT for us. I don't know how it will work for better swimmers that do flip turns. The instructions and website give tips for more advanced swimmers.

It has taken some getting used to. I think it could be a little stiffer and not swivel quite so easily, but it may be my stroke or positioning in the water. I seem to be always trying to clear a little water out of it. My teammates say it flattens my stroke out so there is that to work around (moving the head any can result in a mouthful of water), but using it does achieve the intended purpose of working your lungs!

I swim recreationally as I truly enjoy the full body workout. But, the extra neck action and cadence timing to breath is a factor in the speed in which I am able swim and the amount of swimming I am able to accomplish in the time allotted for my workout. This snorkel allows me to concentrate on my body (correct arm action and kicking out of the hips etc) during my swimming sessions and makes breathing effortless. I can really dig and get much more workout per minute then without. I go at a much quicker pace until my body begs me to stop instead of taking a rest period because Im unable to catch my breath. The only draw back was the first session or two learning to not breath at all through the nose (the recommendation to wear a nose clip might be important to some who try this for the first time) which was no worse than a slight discomfort until I exhaled stongly through my nose to clear which I am very used to now. And it looks a little silly but is always a topic of conversation with fellow swimmers who I have noticed are beginning to show up at the pool with them!

Great snorkel, lightweight ,excellent for pool training

El mejor esnorkel que he tenido !!! No entra el agua al dar vueltas de campana !!!

Mais excellent niveau de finition, une fois les sangles bien réglées aucune chance que ça bouge. Y'a plus qu'à maintenant :) ! Le 23/02/2014 : ça y est, tuba essayé et qui donne pleine satisfaction. Me permet de me concentrer uniquement sur mes mouvements de bras et de jambes, ce qui est déjà assez compliqué pour moi. Quoiqu'il en soit réglage possible de la sangle sur la première partie du tube. Je conseille de s'entraîner d'abord chez soi pour inspirer par la bouche et expirer par le nez. Prochain achat, des paddles !

I have been using the regular tall version for a year and decided to try the freestyle version. I find it forces me to look down and align my head in water to the proper position. If I don't, water gets into the snorkel. So it actually is good. Also, water gets in a lot easier. Turbulence from other swimmers will create waves and let water in. So it's important to learn how to expel water with a strong blow when that happens. For sure this snorkel is not for open water snorkeling, but it's great for lap swimming using freestyle only. The air flow is very good and allows me to concentrate on my strokes without worrying on breath rhythm.

Great for training. Either in open water or in the pool, just perfect 🙃