**This was taken from the FAQ section of the Great Floridian Website. **
Q. Can I use a snorkel in the swim?
A. Yes, USA Triathlon rules allow for the use of a snorkel while swimming.
Can this be true? Is it true for all triathlons? Why don’t people use snorkles… it would be faster and easier… right???
Not as easy as it seems. You try getting breath in and out of a tube. It’s much easier to turn your head.
And imagine getting kicked in the mouth wihilst wearing a snorkel - you’d lose teeth.
But - if you wanna try it - go ahead.
there was a guy at the macon half on the 5th that used one … don’t know what his finish time was though
I saw that dude, too. I was pretty mystified…I thought USAT rules didn’t allow snorkels, but apparently so.
I believe there are a few guys who use them due to neck problems.
Not as easy as it seems. You try getting breath in and out of a tube. It’s much easier to turn your head.
And imagine getting kicked in the mouth wihilst wearing a snorkel - you’d lose teeth.
But - if you wanna try it - go ahead.
Exactly. I used to think I’d be a lot faster if I didn’t have to roll for air. But as I’m getting slightly better at bilateral and doing it more often, I don’t think taking that breath (when you do it right) slows you down. Add in the superrestrictive tube and yuck.
Hah, Yeah, I saw him too spot! I didn’t know it might be against the rules, but I don’t think it’d be a very good thing to have to “attend” to in a huge massive swim. Too many arms and legs flying.
Trae
Not as easy as it seems. You try getting breath in and out of a tube. It’s much easier to turn your head.
And imagine getting kicked in the mouth wihilst wearing a snorkel - you’d lose teeth.
But - if you wanna try it - go ahead.
Plus the snorkel’s dead-air space. You’ll be breathing in the same air you exhaled that didn’t escape the tube.
What about the ameo powerbreather?! That thing looks sick and good for extremly novice swimmers like me! Lol
I believe there are a few guys who use them due to neck problems.
My wife has to use one because of back issues.
No way, IMO, do they give you an advantage, just the opposite.
There was a guy in the 40-44 AG at Augusta last year who looked like he was deep sea diving. He had a full scuba mask & snorkel. I thought that it had to be a DQ, kind of like the guy who claimed to do back to back fulls a few years ago, but was caught in the surf with fins.
After looking at the athlete guide, it turns out they are legal, but there is a caveat:
*• Swim goggles and face masks may be worn. **Snorkels may be worn due to a medical condition supported by documentation from **a physician. Proper documentation must be submitted to the IRONMAN North American Head Referee by email for consideration (ed. cheatham@ironman.com). He will then forward it to the event Head Referee for final approval. **Any athlete that is approved *to use a snorkel will not be eligible for Age Group Awards, including IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship or Roll-down slots
It is not easier. WTC has decided they will not allow them starting in 2017. I don’t know why they shouldn’t be allowed, it seems to me to be a reasonable medical accommodation and anyone who uses it because they “think” they will gain a competitive advantage is wrong…
It is not easier. WTC has decided they will not allow them starting in 2017. I don’t know why they shouldn’t be allowed, it seems to me to be a reasonable medical accommodation and anyone who uses it because they “think” they will gain a competitive advantage is wrong…
This reminds me of the pro who won a legal judgment to use a golf cart in pro tournaments due to a medical condition (there’s a thread on this somewhere). To purist golfers, walking the course (and the fatigue that might entail) is part of the game. Likewise, swimming without a breathing apparatus is seen as part of our sport. I don’t think they are allowed in USMS either. The difference between the two examples of course, is that the golf cart saves energy and the snorkel is probably not an advantage…except for those struggling to swim in the first place.
It is not easier. WTC has decided they will not allow them starting in 2017. I don’t know why they shouldn’t be allowed, it seems to me to be a reasonable medical accommodation and anyone who uses it because they “think” they will gain a competitive advantage is wrong…
Why would this be different than folks lets say being able to use stuff for asthma? A medical condition is a medical condition.
If they say no awards, great. But why is it okay, again, to use medication for asthma, but not a device needed medically, when
it does not help someone be faster?
Last year I tried a one mile ows in Lake Michigan with a snorkel. It is definitely not an advantage. It restricts your breathing and if it’s choppy it will be hard to keep clear of water. If somebody “needs” a snorkel I say let them have it.
USAT has always allowed them.
ITU allowed them up to 3 or 4 years ago, when they made them illegal.
WTC allowed them up to a few years ago, then went to ‘no awards/slots if you use one’, then to ‘also requires a doctor’s note’, and starting this year (2016) they’re totally illegal.
I believe there are a few guys who use them due to neck problems.
I’ve a pinched nerve in my neck that makes sighting painful, so maybe USAT should let me use a periscope.
I believe there are a few guys who use them due to neck problems.
I’ve a pinched nerve in my neck that makes sighting painful, so maybe USAT should let me use a periscope.
I’m dying 
.