FINIS Original Swimmer’s Snorkel - Center-Mount Design - for Swim Training - Adjustable Fit - Purge Valve - Yellow - Adult

I'm close to being a senior now.... and a long-time runner. Last year I developed persistent and nagging heel problems that caused me to seek other exercise that gave me the same cardio workout, but was a lot easier on the joints. Sooooo, I literally jumped into the pool and started swimming.I could barely do a lap or two without running out of breath and flapping my arms or dog paddling. Obviously I needed to figure out how to swim. After a little research, I realized I needed to invest in a few things - this swimmer's snorkel, pr. of nose clips, ear plugs, swimmer's cap and fins (DMCSWim training fins) in Feb 2012 (now 18 months ago).Wow; I am now swimming 10,000 meters each week (2,500 mt sessions 4 days a week) and absolutely loving the workout!! Without this snorkel, I would have given up on swimming. With it, I can work on a good swimming technique and I really get a great workout. My weight is down and I just really feel great! I still run 3 days a week, but very short distances (3.5 miles) and quite slowly. The heel pain is almost nonexistent, but I'm going to stay with swimming. FWIW, I weaned myself off the fins about 3 months ago. At first I used the fins the entire distance, but over time took them off for increasingly longer distances. Obviously, it's a better workout without the fins, but they helped me immensely get comfortable as a swimmer.The snorkel has worked extremely well. I do clean the purge valve every other week or so and only once in a while do I find myself needing to "clear" it while swimming. Also, I wear a swimmer's cap that is low in my forehead and the snorkel rests on the cap, not the skin of my forehead. This is very comfortable for me.Also, I do really need the nose clips and ear plugs. My sinuses have always bothered me and keeping water out is essential. So, to sum it up, I really love this snorkel. My wife is considering getting into swimming after listening to me tell my buddies just how much I the sport/exercise. I support her no matter what, but if she does want to get into swimming for exercise, I'm sure she'll want to get this snorkel as well.

These have been a joy to use. I can practice my swim stroke without having to rotate to breath. Since the tube is long, one can still roll the body to do a proper catch and pull stroke. I only do normal laps, so I don't know how this snorkel fares for the flip-turns type of swimmers.Maintenance: After pool swim I rinse in tap water. I gently pour water down tube and with thumb I close off the mouth inlet. This clears the purge valve of any debri. Then I hang to dry with long tube hanging down.Pros:1. Length of tube. Rarely get water in it doing freestyle.2. Air volume. Haven't noticed any issue with getting enough air.3. No leakage. Been using a month of daily swims.4. Sturdy position. Hasn't moved at all from set position (vertical)Cons:a. The forehead pad is very hard.

I looked at other brands of snorkel, but I decided to go with Finis because this is high quality. I have been using them regularly and I like how they work as intended. It doesn't slide around and is fairly comfortable except it kind of hard on the forehead. I heard I can wear a swim cap so it doesn't dig on my forehead. Overall, I'm very satisfied with its performance.

Got this product for my kid as required for swim team training. It does work as design and it works pretty well for all style and the one way valve is a great plus.There are few areas you should consider1. It is not heavy but it is not the lightest either. Swimming 20, 30 laps with it is not an issue. But when you get into more serious training 100 -200 laps it would make it difficult. The headband does help keeping it in place. There are other band other swimmer using that's lighter. So depends on your training requirements.2. Flip turns, well just say you will need some used to and change your breathing technique if you plan on using it along with flip turns and the water WILL get into the tube and you will be sucking water and chock. You would need to hold before the turn and brow out as hard as you can after the turn to drain the water in the tube. There is another item that has close valve prevent water from entering during flip turn. Not an issue if you are not training for that.Otherwise this is a very solid build and you won't be disappointed.We do wish they would design with exchangeable mouth piece and storage bag.

Like all pool training aids, should be used not full-time, but it’s part of your exercise. I truly enjoy the snorkel, as I’m able to concentrate on my stroke, which includes a early vertical forearm and a high elbow. I can concentrate on my glide with my hand in front of me and then the early vertical forearm and the catch pulling back. I also do flip turns with the snorkel.I’m a master scuba diving instructor, and the snorkels is a part of my body. When using the snorkel, try to concentrate on how few breaths you can take to get from One in the pool to the other. Time, your breathing with when you would actually breathe if you weren’t using the snorkel. If you’re gonna do flip turns. You want to use your tongue as another valve. I stick my tongue in the hole between my teeth and then when I exhale hard and sharp to make sure there’s no water in the snorkel. If you’re doing a flip turn. Take a deep breath, tuck your chin, exhale slowly, and continuously through your nose. Once you’re facing down just before you surface exhale through your snorkel. You want to clear the snorkel before it breaks the surface I know it sounds crazy, but it will clear much easier. Take a cautious inhale to make sure that you’ve got all the water out. If you don’t breathe softly until you have enough air again to exhale sharply. It’s a great training aid.You can also use it to Swim fast and hard to increase your pace, but not have to worry about breathing. Just be sure to use it as a tool and not full-timeaid.