http://www.xtri.com/pix_view.aspx?navG=120&pg=4
From Oceanside.
http://www.xtri.com/...px?navG=120&pg=4
From Oceanside.
Not according to the “race rules” that they link to from their media page. Although the page does say “2006” on it.
John
Yes I believe it is legal as the rules are now. I think there is some talk of making it legal only for someone that has a bad neck or
something like that. But as things are now anybody can use one unless the RD makes a local rule against it.
I’m too lazy to check Cali’s site for rules, but in some races snorkels are expressly banned. Other races, such as Black Diamond HIM in WA state, they are perfectly legal, if not perfectly dorky.
Of course, when did dorkiness preclude someone from using it in tri’s?
The question is “is it illegal”. USAT 4.9 doesn’t list it as illegal, although there’s language in 3.4(k) that allows the head referee to disallow it (I think that’s how WTC does it). Outside of that, ITU, Canada, and Australia don’t have it as illegal to the best of my knowledge. British rules don’t allow it, and neither should your dignity. The number on the side of the snorkle is readable, you should call that person and ask!
“The number on the side of the snorkle is readable, you should call that person and ask!”
Oh no! If Snorkle Boy is outed we could lose this entire thread.
Yes, no RD input needed. That oddly, is legal according to USAT.
http://www.xtri.com/...px?navG=120&pg=4
From Oceanside.
Wow…if that IS USAT legal, …I can see a lot of people becoming really pissed off.
Is this legal?
No idea about the legality, but I would question the usefulness of this set-up in a hectic, hurly-burly mass start swim leg. What if another swimmer accidentally grabs it and yanks on it?? Or you get pushed under water just as you are about to do a massive inhale breath??
assuming this picture is from 2009 and from the Cali 70.3, and assuming that the full race number is 29, then this person either did not finish the swim, never started the swim, etc. No stats on Ironmanlive.
Edit: 29 is probably his age, not his race number right?
29 is probably just the first two digits of his race number. On my race cap, they put two digits on one side of the crease and 1 digit on the other (both front and back) so the full number was visible from head on or directly behind. Kinda odd…
For the love of God, is it really that hard to learn to actually swim aka breath while moving in the water?
how on earth can you see where you are going? Spotting the buoys is gonna be a problem
I would question the usefulness of this set-up in a hectic, hurly-burly mass start swim leg
plus, it just makes it harder on the swimmer to breathe. unless the swimmer has a restricted ROM in his neck, this is a terrible idea. and if the swimmer does have a ROM restriction, open water swimming may be a terrible idea.
no point using a device to make the race harder
I don’t know if it’s legal or not, but I do know that it’s unbelievably ghey.
Is this legal?
No idea about the legality, but I would question the usefulness of this set-up in a hectic, hurly-burly mass start swim leg. What if another swimmer accidentally grabs it and yanks on it?? Or you get pushed under water just as you are about to do a massive inhale breath??
I was thinking the same thing. Legal or not how is that going to help? Even if you/it survived the first couple hundred yards as you have to sight seems kinda pointless. Also could not imagine trying to breathe hard through a snorkel, they seem better suited to cruising along with fins on looking at fish.
was thinking the same thing as you and Fleck, could get knock around and everytime you sight you would take a drink…
i think i saw this guy at NO 70.3 this past weekend
a few years ago there was a guy that showed up at a local race with a snorkel and a letter from USAT referee allowing it
.
no point using a device to make the race harder
Don’t forget, this is triathlon, a lot of things go on in this sport that are really hard to understand and make no sense! 
It’s been legal at least since 2001, I think much longer than that.