Using the Center Mount Snorkel

By Coach Eric Neilsen

Recently I returned to using a center mount snorkel for part of my swim sessions in the pool.  I forgot how much fun this is when air is always available and also realized that my stroke needs some tune-up. Typically I start with the snorkel during warm up swimming 200 to  300 yards at an easy pace.  Then, gradually building the distance on some shorter sets as I get used to flip turns without swallowing water when returning to the surface.  I also incorporate the snorkel into my cool downs to help refocus on my technique before ending the training session. Check out some of the things I like about training with the center mount snorkel:

Swimming: First and foremost, the snorkel lets the athlete focus on technique without having to turn the head to breathe.  Often times, breathing strokes make a swimmer unbalanced in the water, causing them to wiggle from side to side or worse yet, compromise body position with sinking hips, legs and feet.  With the snorkel the swimmer can keep their head in a neutral position, work on good body alignment and balance in the stroke.  Athletes with breath-timing issues can learn to time their breathing without turning the head.  A great drill for this is 4 x 25 rest :10 seconds with a snorkel. Time your exhale to the pulling arm you wish to breathe on.  Then swim 1 x 50 without the snorkel, breathing to pulling arm side you just practiced.  Repeat 2-3 times.

Kicking: Kicking with the snorkel, like swimming, lets the athlete maintain good body alignment and reduce stress put on the lower back if kicking too much with a kickboard. Beginners can start with 4 x 25 flutter kicking, rest 10-15 seconds.  Stretch your arms stretched overhead at shoulder width, and hold the bottom of a kickboard for stability. After acquiring this skill try the 4 x 25 without the kickboard, arms stretched out overhead at shoulder width or in streamline position.

Drills: I like to do what I call a progression scull.  The athlete starts in the front scull position, arms stretched out in front, at shoulder width 14-18 inches below the surface of the water.  Start with gentle sculling movements and gradually progress the scull through the freestyle pulling pattern until you reach the finish of your stroke.  Like above, try 4 x 25 on 10-15 seconds rest, then swim 1 x 50. If done correctly, you should really feel a good connection with your hands to the water.  Single arm swimming is also good with the snorkel because it allows the swimmer to coordinate hand/arm speed through the pull to their hip speed.  Doing single arm pull with the non-pulling arm stretched out in front is a good way to start.  I like this position because the swimmer can feel a nice long bodyline from finger-tips, through shoulder to hip.  Also, since you don’t have to breathe, you can pay attention to that lead arm when pulling to make sure it does not cross-center, see if the elbow drops or exhibits other deviant behavior.

If you have not used a center mount snorkel before, I highly recommend giving it a try.  Typical cost is between $30-$40.  Be patient as you get used to breathing with the snorkel.  Keep the repeats short so you can keep the technique focus at a premium.