Freestyle - Basics with Steve Haufler

**Advanced Freestyle Swim Lesson #4:  How to Use a Snorkel**

The FINIS Swimmer’s Snorkel is an incredible teaching tool for freestyle. It allows the swimmer to breathe without having to turn the head.  

This allows the swimmer to relax…and focus all their attention on head position, body balance, arm recovery, pull, and kick. 

The first time a young swimmer uses a FINIS Swimmer’s Snorkel, it is very important to take it slow.

Initially some swimmers will be very uncomfortable using the snorkel.   Some feel claustrophobic and others are scared to breathe.   Here’s a 7-step process that can help the swimmer overcome these fears and start using the snorkel like a pro.

**Step #1** -   Adjust the headpiece so that the snorkel fits comfortably.   Have the swimmer put her goggles on first…and then the snorkel.   Help her place the headpiece and adjust the tube so that it points straight up.

Do this while the swimmer is out of the water and sitting on the edge.  She should put the mouthpiece in place and form a seal around the mouthpiece with her lips. 

**Step #2** -  While sitting on the side, the swimmer should practice breathing through the snorkel.   For now, just inhale and exhale through the mouth.

**Step #3** -  While standing on the bottom, the swimmer puts her face in the water and practices breathing just 3 slow breaths, breathing in and out just through the mouth. 

**Step #4** -  Try the same 3 slow breaths while in a floating position…just balancing and breathing.

Increase the breathing to 10 seconds… then 20…then 30.    Take a break in between.

Have the swimmer also try exhaling out through their nose.  They inhale through the mouth and exhale out the nose. Some swimmers will prefer this.

Others will prefer, at least initially, to inhale and exhale only with the mouth and through the snorkel, however…

…Some swimmers may need to use a nose plug if they find that water goes up their nose.

Regardless of their breathing technique or the need to use a nose plug, see if the swimmer can float and balance and breathe comfortably for 1 minute. 

**Step #5** -  Once they can breathe comfortably for 1 minute, ask them to kick easily for 25 yards with the arms by the sides. This often promotes a more relaxed head position initially.

Then try easy kicking with arms in front.

**Step #6** -  The next step is to practice easy swimming.   Make sure the swimmer is breathing in a relaxed and easy manner.

**Step #7** -  The final step is learning to purge water from the snorkel.  Have the swimmer take the snorkel off and dip the snorkel completely under the surface. Without putting the snorkel back on and without going under, have the swimmer practice blowing the water out of the tube. They can see that they can do this.

Next, have the swimmer put the snorkel on and completely submerge so that water completely fills the snorkel tube. Remind them not to inhale. Tell them to blow forcefully out their mouth 3 times to clear the water before breathing in.

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Advanced Freestyle #4: How to Use a Snorkel