Snorkles

[90 or bust]

I noticed people mentioning using snorkles in training on another thread. This is a new one on me. I assume the idea is to concentrate on your stroke rather than breathing. Does it work? Could take some getting used to..

[mammamedley]

I'm glad this has come up again.
Katie - can you please help - I meant to ask you but you were busy competing and then I forgot!
How do you snorkel without a nose clip of mask? My son and I drown!!! We swallow so much water, cough and splatter!!! We have a laugh but don't get anywhere!
Please advise us!!!
Thanks

[Katie]

Were you at Cambridge then mammamedley? I didn't know! I am not the best at using a snorkel, but I am getting better! I usually just breathe in and out of my mouth when I'm using it, but when my nose starts to hurt I breathe out of my nose! On turns you just have to blow really hard out of your snorkel otherwise you'll need to be rescued! In response to 90 or Bust, you're right about the emphasis being on stroke, I think it's great for keeping your head position, and we use them on pull, kick or swim. It's also really good on kick because overusing your kickboard can hurt your back, so I sometimes prefer the snorkel. But at around £23 each for proper training ones, they're pretty pricey!

[swimusa]

It also is like altitude training in that the amount of oxygen you take in is less than normal, and thus it helps in builing muscle.

[mammamedley]

thanks Katie - we shall have another go! If you hear of 'a mother and son found drowned' then it will be us!!!!!

[90 or bust]

Sounds like they're worth a try. I like the idea of using one for kick, since I find a kickboard awkward and am prone to back problems. Not too sure about the turns though, I think I'd have the same problems as Mammamedley and her son!

[swimusa]

All you do is before you enter the turn, suck in as much air as you possibly can, and when you resurface, blow out as much air with as much force as possible. The water will shoot out like a bullet to a gun.

[splash]

hey, i have never used a snorkle in training but i use them mainly when i go on holz abrode. I could not use them up until a year ago when i went 2 play octopush. U have 2 were a scorcle and mask and it is under water hockey really. It was gr8t. Enyway i might try it 2 use in training it sound uite fun. Thanx 4 the advice. lol

[Bootie]

A colleague at swimming (who just happens to be my boss) usually holidays in the USA and brings back all manner of swimming gadgets to try out. He has used the snorkle mentioned allowing him to swim without breathing to the side, a radio that clips onto his googles, a heart rate monitor which also pulses out a rythm to swim to. If its around he's tried it, the only drawback is unfortunately his swimming hasn't improved!

[Katie]

PLEASE can i get one of those radios!!!!!!!!!!! ANyone know anything about it?? U could set up a serious business!!!

[Bootie]

Apparently Speedo retail a waterproof radio of the type I mentioned, don't know if they are available in the UK though.

[90 or bust]

Just searched the web - found the speedo 'SurfRunner™ 2000'
looks a bit big for training though and costs $52:


http://www.recreonics.com/speedo_swim_accessories.htm

[Katie]

This is probably a really stupid question, but as I have no idea how radios work I'll ask anyway... would it work in the UK? As in pick up UK stations? Is it just a matter of getting the frequency right?

[swimusa]

if you guys use FM, I don't see why not

[Katie]

The same radio mentioned earlier is on sale at the speedo site. It's $29.95 so probably worth getting if you want one. I think I am going to buy one, but get a friend to send it over for me otheriwise you get charged 30 pounds (there's no pound symbol on this computer!!!) tax when Speedo send it over!!!

[90 or bust]

Let us know if it works OK in the water

[swimusa]

Originally posted by Katie
The same radio mentioned earlier is on sale at the speedo site. It's $29.95 so probably worth getting if you want one. I think I am going to buy one, but get a friend to send it over for me otheriwise you get charged 30 pounds (there's no pound symbol on this computer!!!) tax when Speedo send it over!!!

Get a friend to send it over there from America?!

[londoner62]

has used the snorkle mentioned allowing him to swim without breathing to the side, a radio that clips onto his googles, a heart rate monitor which also pulses out a rythm to swim to. If its around he's tried it, the only drawback is unfortunately his swimming hasn't improved!

I have been thinking about a HRM for a while cos I can never find my pulse, can you get info such as manufacturer and product number of the monitor?

Paul

[swimmer]

i have the polar A1 (£39.99) you can get it from loads of places, sport shops, john lewis, http://www.mailsports.co.uk, http://www.swimstation.co.uk or just search in google, tonnnssss of places sell them

[KatieBun]

a radio that clips onto his googles,
....that sounds painful! ;)