Breathing is the most disruptive force on a swimmer’s stroke technique and can disturb body position in the water. The A3 Performance Training Snorkel, enables swimmers to perfect head-body alignment and stroke rotation. The hydrodynamic, light-weight design of this snorkel results in less drag, making it ideal for a variety of training types. Additionally, the narrow tube is perfect for younger swimmers. As swimmers age, the narrow tube becomes more challenging, improving swimmer’s aerobic capacity. It’s a phenomenal training tool for all swimmers! Learning to swim with a snorkel can be a difficult task at first, but it’s so worth it! We promise the benefits of breathing through that tiny tube far outweigh the initial struggle of learning to breathe through said tiny tube. To help with the transition to training with a snorkel and to help perfect that head and body position, try out this beginner set. You’ll be a pro in no time!

8 x 25 NO INTERVAL, Take your time!

2 x 25 Kick on stomach, arms at side. Focus on head position and adjusting to breathing through the snorkel. 2 x 25 Kick on stomach, with arms in front. Swimmers can lightly scull or keep them still. Focus on maintaining head and body position from previous 25s, still working on adjusting to breathing through the snorkel. 2 x 25 Catch up drill-one complete arm stroke at a time, starting and finishing your stroke with both of your arms out in front. Focus on body rotation, rolling the shoulders and hips, while maintaining head position. 2 x 25 Build. Build kick and tempo, attempting a relatively normal stroke cycle. Continue to focus on maintaining the same relaxed, head down position and good body rotation.

6 x 50 NO INTERVAL, Take your time!

Descend 2 sets of 3 x 50s, second set faster than the first Now that swimmers have adjusted to swimming and breathing with the snorkel, 50s without interval are a great opportunity for them to learn how to flipturn with the snorkel. Use these 50s to focus on maintaining a relaxed head and body position, while experimenting with speed and tempo increase. These 50s are no interval, so take the time to do the set correctly and really think about body alignment and rotation through the water. *Note: Flipturns with the snorkel can be really challenging at first. Don’t breathe in going in to the turn, and use those swimmer lungs to blow the water out of the tube at your breakout. It takes a little practice, but after a few repetitions most swimmers can figure it out!

“A3’s Training Snorkel is the best snorkel I have ever used. With this snorkel I can kick, drill, train long or fast and it stays in place. It is very comfortable and one of my favorite training tools.” –Darian Townsend, Olympic Gold Medalist, 3x Olympian, World Record Holder

*This article was also featured on SwimSwam!