Freestyle Center-Mount Swim Snorkel, Snorkel, Yellow

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.

The snorkel comes up across the midline of the face and is independent of the mask. I is better positioned for exercise swimming than one that hangs on the right side of the mask. I found it very difficult to get the right-sided mask to be comfortable. They always pulled at my mouth. This snorkel does not have an outlet which is a plus/minus situation. The valve on the outlets were always the first part to break and let in water requiring you to get a replacement snorkel. However, without the outlet, water does get into the mouthpiece (especially when there are waves in the pool) and has to be emptied every few laps or you get water-boarded. It helps to position your head higher in the water than you would with a regular snorkel, more like a regular crawl stroke than like snorkeling. This takes some practice and muscle strength, but like anything that demands more effort, is probably good for you.

I am not a very buoyant swimmer and I prefer looking straight down. Most snorkels I tried are too short for this head angle. Finis was very clever to make the curved, almost U shape design to allow freestyler to look straight down. With this design, you do not have to have an awkwardly long snorkel (which would make breathing extremely difficult). The execution was deeply flawed however. The headband simply does not "clamp" the snorkel tightly enough. Further, the connection between the mouth piece (transparent) with the body (yellow) is too loose. The result is a snorkel that is prone to rotation in 2 places. If your head has even the slightest movement, the snorkel will turn and water will come in. If you are an excellent swimmer and can keep your head perfectly still, this won't be a problem. But if I possessed this level of skills, I wouldn't be needing this snorkel. Unless you have a specific need like I do, other snorkels will likely be better for you. p.s. I bought a 3M silicone tape (waterproof) to wrap around the contact points. This solved the rotation problem but it introduced other problems: 1) extreme ugliness and 2) the headbands may sometimes move up and down.

I purchased this along with an aquatic resistance belt , in order to focus on my workout without having to flip turn all day in a relatively small pool. I also have a Waterproof MP3 Player and Aqua Sphere goggles to complete the set. It was a good purchase and I'm glad to own this but l think I like the Phantom Aquatics Swimmer's Snorkel a little better. This one by FINIS doesn't quite go into my mouth at a right angle. In fact, if you study the picture closely (envisioning the strap going above your ears and clip above your eyes) - you can see how the mouthpiece is angled downward. Therefore it is easy to mismanage and water can seep in your snorkel. Also, I have found water doesn't really clear out of your snorkel like with other snorkels. Overall, it's kind of of a jaw workout but fairly manageable. I will update this review if I find a way to position this that works for me, until then I give it 3.5 stars. Also to the reviewer who said that it hurts their forehead. I think they just have it on too tight. I had the same reaction until I adjusted to a looser setting. The straps are very easy to adjust and this snorkel doesn't need to be tight.

I've been a fitness swimmer for most of my life and after taking a 15 year hiatus, at 55 I just don't have the lung power I once did. I found myself gasping for air, getting tired sooner and just not enjoying my workout as much. I noticed some swimmers using a traditional side-mount snorkel and thought that might be a good solution, but couldn't stop thinking how the torque generated by the water pushing against the mouth piece would be uncomfortable, dangerous and painful. I typically do a fair amount of research before purchasing new items and was surprised to learn that a front-mount snorkel had been designed for the fitness swimmer. Thank you, FINIS. You got this one right! I just got it and was more than thrilled. It took no time at all to get used to it, although I still occasionally feel the urge to turn my head to take a breath. After realizing I don't have to anymore, I can breathe normally, deeply with no more gasping. As a result, I can spend more time swimming, focusing on better stroke dynamics, getting a better workout and doing more laps. I paired the snorkel with Speedo Aqua Fit Training Swim Gloves and now go fairly fast with absolutely no negative torque. My workouts are fun again. P.S. With a proper head position, I experienced no water leaking in.

Works great! I have used it a couple weeks. As an intermediate swimmer for 25 years, I generally have not enjoyed lap swimming in the past, but with this snorkel I find it much more enjoyable. My efficiency and conditioning have definitely benefited. I don't spend so much effort on just getting to my next breath. With that, you do need to adjust to breathing in your mouth and out your nose, which wasn't a problem for me. It may be for others. In just a couple weeks I have also greatly improved my mediocre technique. Only once on the first day did I get water backing into the snorkel, my bad. (I understand the other type of Finis snorkel has a valve that is prone to leakage. This one doesn't have a valve, which isn't really needed, I find.) After a couple sessions with the snorkel I had no problem going back to swimming without the snorkel. o no concern about going 'natural' when needed. Personally, I happen to have problems with moving my neck due to injury. This snorkel is great for not having to turn my head. I recommend it! Get out there and swim!

I hated this snorkel, gave up on in the middle of a workout, and I will go back to using my old snorkel. There's nothing necessarily wrong with the snorkel; it simply did not work well for me. I've been using another Finis snorkel. I'm swimming for triathlon, and I'm not a strong swimmer. I'm still learning, and the breathing motions do not come naturally to me. Using a snorkel allows me to get in a good interval workout while focusing on form. Using a snorkel means keeping my head closer to the surface, and I was hopeful this snorkel would allow me to drop me head a little bit more. It didn't; in fact, this snorkel took on more water than my other snorkel does. This snorkel doesn't have a purge valve, so to blow water out of it you have to generate enough force to blow water the entire length of the snorkel. It certainly does encourage forceful exhalation, but I couldn't swim 25 yards without having to clear it. I stopped at the end of each length to drain the water out via the mouthpiece. I'd give it one star because I really hated this thing, but I don't want people to think it's a lousy product. It's well made, although I think the lack of a purge valve is a design flaw. The snorkel didn't work for me. Your results may vary. In case you're wondering why I want to be able to drop my head lower, I find it easier to keep my hips at the surface if I can drop my head below the surface of the water. It may seem counterintutive, but I'm faster when my head is completely underwater (very shallowly, though).

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 !

Por prescripción médica utilizó este snorkel, porque he tenido dos esguinces cervicales en tres años y el doctor me recomendó nadar con este snorkel... el primer día que lo use no pude nadar pero PROBLEMA RESUELTO al siguiente día en lo que coordine la respiración con la boca y, días posteriores nade con el tapón de nariz y YA ESTÁ todo perfecto y así ya no lastimó mi cuello. UNA MARAVILLA

I have used this for a few weeks now and the result is great, just get used to holding your head in a position where no water enters, I find that my eyes are not looking directly down at the pool floor but diagonally forwards although my neck feels relaxed. If water enters give a huge puff and readjust your head. The mouth piece is surprisingly comfortable and helps promote relaxed breathing.

Great product!

lo sto usando da tre settimane e devo dire che è un boccaglio perfetto. Ti costringe pero' a tenere la testa quasi sott'acqua, come deve essere e con lo sguardo sul fondo della piscina, altrimenti prendi acqua. Per quanto riguarda le virate, nessun problema. si vira tranquillamente. Lo adopero con il pull buoy, pinne, tavoletta e palette rispettivamente e mi trovo una meraviglia. Consigliatissimo per chi vuole perfezionare la tecnica nello SL ed ottenere una respirazione ottimale. Non lo consiglio pero' ai principianti.