Practice What With a Snorkel?--Another Swim Question
My boys are no longer storing their Finis training snorkels at their club pool, which means I have access to using them. (I have always been too cheap to spring for one for myself. 
) They use them in training regularly to work on pulling technique/body position, so I think I should give it a go. I know everyone at the pool will think I'm a total dork, but so what, right? 
What do you practice with a snorkel? What things to think about in terms of position, pull, etc.? Any advice appreciated.
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The only issue is I tried it and I manage to suck a ton of water in through my nose and end up with a headache within the first 50 - 75 meters.
I only use a snorkel when I ski at Alta in 2' of fresh powder
Seriously, I worry about the value of using a snorkel. The timing of breathing, and being able to keep the body in a straight line while rotating the head, seems extremely critical for perfecting one's swim technique. Many people who jiggle their hips from side to side instead of rotating about their long axis, seem to start the motion with improperly timed and positioned head rotation. I'd be interested to hear Rich's take on this.
Look like a dork? Have you seen the way we dress for the rest of the training? Jef Mallett sums it up best here.
Gotta love Frazz! So funny.
Al --t will be intersting to hear the real swimmer POV. All I know is that my high-level club swimmers use them, my collegiate swimmer used them, when we visited Dartmouth the men's swim team were doing sets with them, and I have been told that Rose Bowl masters incorporate them regularly. All that has been rolling around in my brain for years, but I never did get around to using one. I think it's mostly for hand entry, and pull work, but I'm not sure. I ask my boys, but they're teenagers, and I never get much info applicable to my swimming.
@Kevin,
finis has 2 snorkels...
I have this one: http://www.finisinc.com/P-10500910350/Adult-Swimmer. You have more leeway with the head position on this one.
I've seen these others: http://www.finisinc.com/P-105001/Freestyle-Snorkel. If you tilt your head anywhere besides pointing straight down, you'll suck water.
I used the first one, but it wasn't quite long enough to stay above the water if I tucked in my chin and looked straight down - I had to look more forward. Which was a bad habit to learn, because looking straight down makes a huge difference in keeping the legs up.