Front Snorkels

A front snorkel, also called a swim snorkel, is a training accessory that you wear on the front of your head via an adjustable headband system. Unlike an ordinary diving snorkel, a front snorkel sits straight in front of your nose and mouth, so that you do not have to turn the breathing tube to the side and your head stays in a neutral position. That is exactly the advantage for swim training: you can focus fully on your arm stroke, body position and propulsion without interrupting your normal swimming rhythm for a breath. They are used by lane swimmers, competition swimmers and triathletes who want to improve their swimming technique in a more targeted way.

The range runs from simple entry-level models without an extra valve for beginners and recreational lane swimmers, via models with a check valve or exhaust valve that let you blow water out of the tube more easily after a turn, to more extensive models with a wider head attachment or special mouthpiece for advanced swimmers who train at higher intensity. There are also front snorkels in a smaller size for younger swimmers. The choice depends on your level, the intensity of your training and how sensitive you are to water in the tube during turns.

Which front snorkel suits you?

The choice depends on what you want to train, your experience level and how intensively you swim. The scenarios below help you make the right choice quickly.

You want to improve your swimming technique without your breathing drawing your attention: choose a standard front snorkel in a model that suits you. With a front snorkel your head stays stable in the water and you can concentrate fully on the position of your arms, the rotation of your torso and your body posture. Combine the snorkel with a pull buoy to switch off the legs completely: this way you focus every metre of training on the upper-body technique without leg movement or breathing taking up attention.

You want to train intensively with turns without getting water in the tube: choose a model with a check valve or exhaust valve. During a turn, a small amount of water regularly sneaks into the tube; with a valve you blow it out in one powerful exhalation. Models without a valve require you to blow the tube completely empty, which takes more effort and breaks the concentration for longer. If you do several sets with turns, a valve is a clear practical advantage.

You want to combine a front snorkel with hand paddles for technique-focused sets: choose a model with a stable and low head attachment that gives little resistance. The combination of front snorkel and hand paddles is a frequently used training variant: the snorkel takes away the breathing, the hand paddles give direct feedback on hand position and catch. Make sure the headband fits well and does not shift under the extra resistance of the paddles.

You want to get acquainted with technique training as a beginner and use a front snorkel for the first time: choose an entry-level model with a simple mouthpiece and an adjustable headband. Start with short sets of one hundred to two hundred metres with the snorkel, alternated with normal sets. Your neck and back muscles have to get used to the slightly adjusted head position. A lightweight and simple model without extra parts is the easiest way to start, also if you want to work simultaneously on kickboard training for the leg kick.

You are looking for a front snorkel for a young or smaller swimming child: choose a junior model with a smaller attachment and a shorter tube that is matched to the dimensions of a child's head. An adult front snorkel usually does not fit a young child well and can sit crookedly or be uncomfortable. Junior models come in the same design as adult variants but scaled down, so that the operation is identical.

What should you pay attention to when buying?

Tube diameter and resistance

The diameter of the breathing tube determines how much air you can move per breath. A narrower tube gives more breathing resistance, which trains the breathing muscles extra but can be hindering at high intensity. Wider tubes let through more air and are more comfortable at higher swimming speeds. Beginners and recreational swimmers preferably choose a model with a standard or slightly wider tube; competition swimmers who deliberately use breathing resistance as a training load can opt for a narrower model. Check the product description for the exact tube diameter if this is a criterion for you.

Check valve or exhaust valve

Many front snorkels have a one-way valve or check valve at the bottom of the tube, with which you easily blow out the water that has got in after a turn with a short burst. Models without a valve require you to blow the tube completely empty, which takes slightly more effort. For calm technique sets in a long pool a valve is less necessary; for intensive training with regular turns or faster sets it is a clear comfort and efficiency advantage. There are also models with a dry valve at the top of the tube that closes automatically when you go underwater, but those are less common for serious swim training.

Head attachment and fit

A front snorkel is held in place by a silicone band or an attachment frame that runs over your head at the back. Check whether the band is fully adjustable and whether it stays comfortable during intensive swimming without tangling in your hair or shifting. The attachment must be sturdy enough to hold the snorkel straight in front of your nose, also during pushes or turns. Models with a wider or two-part attachment are usually more stable; simpler entry-level models with a thin band can give a little more freedom of movement at higher speeds. Also check whether the front snorkel is compatible with your swimming goggles: the attachment must not touch the lens edge or the band of the goggles.

Mouthpiece

The mouthpiece is the silicone piece that you hold in your mouth and with which you seal the tube. A good mouthpiece feels soft, gives no pressure points on the teeth or gums and does not have to be bitten down on tensely. During longer training sessions a comfortable mouthpiece is a noticeable difference. Some models offer spare mouthpieces or have a universal interchangeable mouthpiece that is also available separately; that extends the lifespan of the snorkel when the mouthpiece wears out.

Our advice: as a beginner, choose a model with a standard tube diameter and a check valve; that gives the most flexibility for both calm technique sets and more intensive training. If you already have experience with front snorkels and want to deliberately train breathing resistance, you can switch to a narrower tube. Always use the front snorkel in combination with well-fitting swimming goggles that do not conflict with the attachment band of the snorkel. Also read what you need for your swim training if you want to put together your complete training arsenal.

Who are front snorkels suitable for?

• Lane swimmers who work on technique and want to concentrate fully on arm stroke, body posture and rotation without the interruption of a sideways breath.
• Triathletes who want to improve the front crawl technique for the swimming component of their training in a more targeted way and want to swim more efficiently at competition pace.
• Beginners who build up their basic technique and, through the elimination of breathing, get more room to work on one technique element at a time.
• Advanced and competition swimmers who use front snorkels for intensive technique sets with hand paddles or swim fins, or use the breathing resistance of a narrower tube as a training load.
• Young swimmers for whom a special junior model is available with a smaller attachment and tube that is matched to the proportions of a child's head.

Need help with your choice?

Would you like to buy a front snorkel but you are not yet entirely sure which model best suits your level and training goal? Then we are happy to help you further. You can reach our triathlon specialists by phone on +31 (0)413-256800, send an email or drop by our triathlon shop in Volkel, the Netherlands.

Frequently asked questions about front snorkels

What is a front snorkel and what do you use it for?

A front snorkel is a training accessory that you wear in front of your nose and mouth via a band over your head, so that you can breathe without turning your head. Your head therefore stays in a neutral position, which allows you to focus fully on your arm technique, body posture and rotation. They are used for technique-focused training sets where breathing would otherwise be a disruptive factor. A front snorkel is not a diving snorkel: it is specifically designed for lane swimming and training.

What is the difference between a front snorkel with and without a check valve?

A front snorkel with a check valve or exhaust valve has a one-way valve at the bottom of the tube with which you easily blow away the water that has got in after a turn with a short burst. Without a valve you have to blow the tube completely empty, which takes more effort and interrupts the concentration a little longer. For calm sets in a long pool the difference is small; for intensive training with regular turns a valve is noticeably more practical. Beginners benefit from a valve because they are less occupied with blowing it empty and can keep more focus on the technique.

How do I combine a front snorkel with other swimming aids?

The most used combination is a front snorkel with a pull buoy: the pull buoy switches off the legs so that you can focus fully on the arm technique, while the snorkel leaves the breathing out of consideration. Another popular combination is a front snorkel with hand paddles for targeted technique sets where both breathing and hand position are trained at the same time. Do not combine a front snorkel with swim fins and hand paddles at the same time: the total resistance then quickly becomes too high for most swimmers.

Does a front snorkel fit on my swimming goggles?

Most front snorkels are designed to be used with standard swimming goggles. The attachment band of the snorkel runs over the band of the swimming goggles, not under it. Make sure the attachment of the snorkel does not touch or press on the lens edge or the silicone frame of your goggles, because that can affect the sealing capacity of the goggles. Test the combination on your first use and adjust the tension of both the goggle band and the snorkel attachment until everything sits comfortably without pinching.

Is a front snorkel suitable for beginners?

Yes, a front snorkel is also usable for beginners and can even make technique training more accessible because breathing temporarily requires no attention. Start with short sets and a simple entry-level model with a standard tube diameter. Your neck and back muscles have to get used to the head position, which can cause some tension in the first sessions. Build up the duration of your snorkel sets gradually and alternate with normal sets without the snorkel, so that your technique also improves without the aid.

What is the difference between a front snorkel for swimming and an ordinary diving snorkel?

A front snorkel is specifically designed for lane swimming at the surface and has an attachment system that holds the snorkel straight in front of the face while you swim horizontally. An ordinary diving snorkel sits at the side of the head and is suitable for snorkelling at the surface or freediving, but not for lane swim training where your head lies neutrally in the water. Do not use an ordinary diving snorkel as a replacement for a front snorkel: it gives a wrong head position and is not stable enough for intensive swim training in the pool.