Make USA Triathlon Snorkeless Again

Recently came to my attention (from a proud USAT newsletter) that snorkels are legal equipment for use by triathletes under the USA Triathlon competitive rules. Snorkels have no place in a competitive sport like triathlon. They are for recreation. If U.S. triathlon and triathletes want to be taken seriously snorkels need to be banned or we all look like idiots. Snorkels are illegal in International Triathlon Union events and World Triathlon Corporation events (without a medical certificate). Lobby USAT to change the rules and make snorkels illegal.

April 1st
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I thought triathlon was recreational.

Yes, because snorkels are the one thing making triathletes look like idiots.

Disagree. Ultimately snorkels will slow down the faster swimmers so there is no competitive advantage. They are allowed in triathlons to encourage more people to do something they might otherwise not do, aka - “grow our declining sport”.

Disagree. Ultimately snorkels will slow down the faster swimmers so there is no competitive advantage. They are allowed in triathlons to encourage more people to do something they might otherwise not do, aka - “grow our declining sport”.

Unlike a lot of people, I’m in favor of initiatives to make the swim safer and less intimidating for newbies. But I’d argue that using snorkels makes the swim more dangerous for inexperienced swimmers, not less dangerous, and that this article was particularly poorly considered.

That is the question. Are they actually helpful? I don’t think we have enough information, but I tentatively lean towards snorkels being sufficiently safe.

I’m ok with banning snorkels as long as I can still walk along the bottom of the swim course in my antique diving suit. Otherwise, no deal.

In all seriousness, this is a joke topic, right? I have no idea if USAT allows snorkels or not. I can’t even remember seeing a snorkeler in the swim portion of the race - just a couple wearing snorkels during a run (which I assume there’s no rule against).

It’s pretty much in smaller events that they’ll be allowed, if I’m interpreting that correctly. Faster swimmers aren’t going to be using them, (less air through a snorkel).

Put me in the camp of “if it helps people get to the start line, I’m fine with it”

Disagree. Ultimately snorkels will slow down the faster swimmers so there is no competitive advantage. They are allowed in triathlons to encourage more people to do something they might otherwise not do, aka - “grow our declining sport”.

This^^^ Slower to use a snorkel. If it gets more to try the sport, all good. If those people stay they will realize eventually that it’s slower and toss it except for training. All good…

That is the question. Are they actually helpful? I don’t think we have enough information, but I tentatively lean towards snorkels being sufficiently safe.

In the other thread on this topic, a fellow who claims he has 15 years of lifesaving and paramedic experience makes a convincing case that they are very dangerous for an inexperienced user.

If you don’t like them don’t use them, whether you do or don’t isn’t going to affect me or how I race.

As far as looking like idiots we give people lots to judge if they want to… aero helmets, disc wheels white (nearly see through) tri-suits. People will judge if they want to, who cares.

If a snorkel opens up our great sport to more people I say let them wear them.

Triathlon is on the decline and you’re complaining about things that will help new people stay in the sport
Most new triathletes come in with no swim background
The people using snorkels are BOPers (Back of the Pack) athletes looking to just finish the swim so they can enjoy the bike and run
You’re that guy at the finish line ready to take their medal away over the use a snorkel
The people using a snorkel are flat-out scared of the swim portion
There is no competitive advantage using a snorkel. Until i see Javier Gomez race with a snorkel i’ll change my tune
Triathlon is a RECREATIONAL sport. Not a competitive sport.
USAT needs need members, I support this 100%
You complaining about this gives me a headache.
My coffee is now cold because i’ve spent too much time on this post
Morning ruined!!

Recently came to my attention (from a proud USAT newsletter) that snorkels are legal equipment for use by triathletes under the USA Triathlon competitive rules. Snorkels have no place in a competitive sport like triathlon. They are for recreation. If U.S. triathlon and triathletes want to be taken seriously snorkels need to be banned or we all look like idiots. Snorkels are illegal in International Triathlon Union events and World Triathlon Corporation events (without a medical certificate). Lobby USAT to change the rules and make snorkels illegal.

Sign my Change.org petition to have them banned!

That is the question. Are they actually helpful? I don’t think we have enough information, but I tentatively lean towards snorkels being sufficiently safe.

In the other thread on this topic, a fellow who claims he has 15 years of lifesaving and paramedic experience makes a convincing case that they are very dangerous for an inexperienced user.

I saw that, and as a fellow ocean lifeguard for many years, I definitely rolled it around a bit. My current thinking is that it is much easier to make the case that some of those scenarios could happen, as opposed to them actually happening.

USAT allowed snorkels in the past without any snorkel related incidents, IIRC.

That is the question. Are they actually helpful? I don’t think we have enough information, but I tentatively lean towards snorkels being sufficiently safe.

In the other thread on this topic, a fellow who claims he has 15 years of lifesaving and paramedic experience makes a convincing case that they are very dangerous for an inexperienced user.

Seriously!? Uhh, farrrrr from convincing.

I don’t care how much 15 years of lifesaving experience - how many snorkel deaths in pools and elsewhere have you heard of? A single one? There are enough people who use snorkels in pools and elsewhere (snorkel vacations anyone?) to know that this is pure fearmongering to think this would be ‘very dangerous’ given that there are like zero deaths due to snorkels. Seriously, go find me the snorkel outbreak of deaths - it’s hard enough to even find triathlon swim deaths (which are ALL due to heart problems, not can’t-swim properly problems.)

That is the question. Are they actually helpful? I don’t think we have enough information, but I tentatively lean towards snorkels being sufficiently safe.

In the other thread on this topic, a fellow who claims he has 15 years of lifesaving and paramedic experience makes a convincing case that they are very dangerous for an inexperienced user.

Seriously!? Uhh, farrrrr from convincing.

I don’t care how much 15 years of lifesaving experience - how many snorkel deaths in pools and elsewhere have you heard of? A single one? There are enough people who use snorkels in pools and elsewhere (snorkel vacations anyone?) to know that this is pure fearmongering to think this would be ‘very dangerous’ given that there are like zero deaths due to snorkels. Seriously, go find me the snorkel outbreak of deaths - it’s hard enough to even find triathlon swim deaths (which are ALL due to heart problems, not can’t-swim properly problems.)

yeah, those were pretty much my thoughts.

Are training wheels allowed too?

Are training wheels allowed too?

That Depends…Will they make me more aero???

Triathlon is on the decline and you’re complaining about things that will help new people stay in the sport
Most new triathletes come in with no swim background
The people using snorkels are BOPers (Back of the Pack) athletes looking to just finish the swim so they can enjoy the bike and run
You’re that guy at the finish line ready to take their medal away over the use a snorkel
The people using a snorkel are flat-out scared of the swim portion
There is no competitive advantage using a snorkel. Until i see Javier Gomez race with a snorkel i’ll change my tune
Triathlon is a RECREATIONAL sport. Not a competitive sport.
USAT needs need members, I support this 100%
You complaining about this gives me a headache.
My coffee is now cold because i’ve spent too much time on this post
Morning ruined!!

My coffee is still too hot to drink and the morning is going well, but this is otherwise word-for-word what I would have said. I’m a fairly competitive guy now, but it was only 9 years ago I had a DNS at the first open water tri I was signed up for and both cried and threw up during the swim of the first actual open water sprint I finally did. As a race organizer and board member of a triathlon club, if a snorkel helps bring people to the sport, I will gladly donate to the snorkel fund. If somebody wants to strip finishers of their medal for using a snorkel, they can have my mine instead.

Hey, while you’re at it can you get rid of all those people using walk breaks during the run?

They ruin my mojo and if they can’t run the whole distance should just stay home!