I just can't believe what I heard today....
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Sling posted 2 years ago.
Oddly enough, I don't see anything in the USAT rules that prohibits them. It prohibits "propulsion devises," but I am not sure you can classify a snorkel as a propulsion device.
That's an Intriguing question
4.9 Illegal Equipment.
Any swimmer wearing any artificial propulsion device, including but not limited to fins, gloves, paddles, or floating devices of any kind shall be disqualified.
Two different answers with a Google search:
_________________________________________________________
Q. Can I use a snorkel in the swim?
A. Yes, USA Triathlon rules allow for the use of a snorkel while swimming.
_________________________________________________________
My personal swimming coach from East Germany likes to train with swim fins and a snorkel. Can I use these aids during the race?
Sorry, no flotation devices or aids can be used in the swim. Just a wetsuit and goggles. You may use fins and snorkel during the bike and run if you like.
My guess would be no, otherwise people would be doing it.
Speed hurts; how fast do you want to go?
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TheCahill posted 2 years ago.
well here is a bit of backing to that statement
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FJ4N7C/002-2978580-2675209?v=glance&n=3375251
HAHA ironman wouldnt put out anygear you couldnt use right hehe j/k
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PJT posted 2 years ago.
That's funny, section 4.9 of the GTG rules (which at least last year applied to all M-Dot Ironman races) has nearly identical language, but includes snorkels in its list of illegal equipment.
4.9 Illegal Equipment.
Any swimmer wearing any artificial propulsion device, including but not limited to fins, gloves, paddles, snorkels or
floating devices of any kind shall be disqualified.
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sparknote_s posted 2 years ago.
I wouldn't want to wear a snorkel anyways. In open water around tons of people it could get knocked, go under, etc. Also you have to lift your head to see where you're going so you might as well breath.
I thought I would add though, swim teams use snorkel nowadays. During drills and stuff. So if you really wanted to, you could get a snorkel which is made for competitive-type swimming.
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sldotter posted 2 years ago.
there is a guy that uses a snorkel in local races that are usat races. Maybe they just havent caught him yet.
Trevor Douglas YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!
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iron_girl posted 2 years ago.
Well, I just think you shouldn't use anything except for your goggles and wet suit, when the water temps are under 78 or 77 degrees. I never would have thought about this if not for this guy at the pool. I have yet to see something like this at a race. I am going to be on the lookout, though, it might be interesting what they would say to whom ever is using something like this. Thanks guys, for your input.
Maria.
"Far better is to dare mighty things, to win glorious Triumph, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spiritis who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not Victory nor defeat."
Theodore Roosevelt.
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BluStang6 posted 2 years ago.
Yeap....ive seen sombody wear one at 2 different races and nobody stopped him
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watrbg2 posted 2 years ago.
I'm doing a quarter tri (.6m swim, 28m bike, 6.5m run) on June 10. It's being run under USAT rules. Copied below are the Swim instructions from the race packet. Apparently, snorkels are legal. Who would have thought??
The Swim
The swim, for both races, will be mass start. You will be grouped with the other competitors in your age group (some waves will include multiple age groups), and you will all start
together… waves will start in 5-10 minute increments. Wave assignments will be posted at packet pick-up.
At this time, we plan to start Quartermax and Ocotmax together, but age divisions may be further divided by race, if it becomes necessary.
At this time, we plan to start all Octomax Non-competitive division entrants together in their own wave.
If you are new to triathlon/nervous about the swim, we suggest that you start in the back of your wave… let the group get started (there will be inadvertent kicking/hitting in the larger
group) and start after they have cleared the immediate area.
Wetsuits
It is most likely that wetsuits will be legal. Wetsuits are legal up to 78 degrees water temp. If the water is 79-82 degrees, you may wear a wetsuit, but you cannot be counted for awards (per USAT). If the water is over 82 degrees, no one can wear a wetsuit (per USAT).
It is hard to say weather the water will be warm enough to not wear a wetsuit – the weather has been cool in Missouri for the past few weeks, and we’ve had a decent amount of rain, so the
water may be cold. If the water is cold, you are NOT required to wear a wetsuit.
Swim Aids
Snorkels are legal (per USAT) for all divisions.
Octomax Non-competitive Division – this division may use any type of swim aid necessary (fins, life jacket, etc). Please be courteous –if your swim aid could obstruct others’ swimming, please stay to the back or outside of the pack.
'In a world that tries its hardest to separate us from what matters, the Ironman helps us to reconnect with the pulse of our lives." - Scott Tinley
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TBRAVO posted 2 years ago.
So do my Little Mermaid water-wings count as a flotation device?
-T
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johnj919 posted 2 years ago.
I saw a guy using one at Memphis in May (Oly) last weekend. The announcer guy was even making fun of him over the PA. He was not penalized, though. Guess that means its legal by USAT rules.
John
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Atropos posted 2 years ago.
I don't think I'd want to use one just because it would probably get in the way of your stroke in some way, not to mention that it would cause some drag in the water, which everyone hates.
In the end though I think it's up to the competitor. I assume most people do triathlon as a way to test themselves and see what they're capable of. I wouldn't use a snokel because I would see it as cheating myself. I'd rather do the race as it was meant to be...
[URL="http://lincolnp.blogspot.com"]Sprinting to Ironman
The breakdown that happens at the seven-hour mark often starts 200 meters off the beach
--Gordo
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Robj3411 posted 2 years ago.
I don't see it as cheating if it's legal... My pops swims alot and he almost always uses a snorkel, I tried it a few times in the pool and I hate it. I'm not sure how much of an advantage it is to use one or not more of personal preference . Where as some one with a wet suit has an advantage over a swimmer without
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Anton posted 2 years ago.
Just got an update for folks doing Eagleman.
Under USAT rules amendments for 70.3 events (so I think we can assume for all USAT events)
"Snorkels are not allowed for any competitor.''
nuff said.
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://agingsuperhero.blogspot.com
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iron_girl posted 2 years ago.
Well, I would assume that if any of the officials at these events spots anyone using a snorkle, they should tell them to either take it off or get out of the water. Look, a wet suit is not an advantage, it is a choice. You are allowed to use a wet suit when the water is below 77 or so degrees. If you swim without one, it is your choice. A snorkel, on the other hand, IS an advantage over most of the swimmers. For some the swim is the hardest part of a Triathlon yet, they jump in the water and swim the best they can, without any artificial aids. Open water swimming is hard for all who venture into a Lake or the Ocean for a race, but this is part of the challenge of being a Triathlete and NO ONE is above the rules, I don't care how young or how old you are.
"Far better is to dare mighty things, to win glorious Triumph, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spiritis who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not Victory nor defeat."
Theodore Roosevelt.
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Sling posted 2 years ago.
I certainly don't mean to quibble IG, and I agree with your premise on snorkels. But wetsuits actually do provide an advantage. Not only are you more streamline with less drag, it also provides buoyancy and therefore a better streamline position (i.e. flat).
Just to clarify: USAT rules allow age-groupers to use wetsuits in any water temperature up to but not including 84 degrees; however, if the water is 78 degrees or over and you decide to wear a wetsuit, you are not eligible for prizes or awards.
I wore a wetsuit in my last half iron, just for the buoyancy and position and the water was around 80 degrees. There was an asterisk by my name (and many others) saying that I wore a wetsuit.
Speed hurts; how fast do you want to go?
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poorswimmer posted 1 year ago.
Here is how it is, I know because yes I do swim (compete with a snorkel). I emailed the head of the USAT rules commission and he replied that yes snorkels have always been legal in USAT events, period. However the Ironman body (apparently they are seperate) specifically prohibts their use. Basically snorkles are not legal in events affilitaed with the official Ironman organization.
As for how well do they work? Well sighting can be a b*&^% because you tend not to lift your head as frequently. I think using one is slightly faster in a sprint but anything longer a person would rebreathe too much co2. The harder and faster you swim the worse it is it seems. If its any consolation I do plan on not using one this weekend at a non USAT event, and hopefully weaning myself off of one. But hey if trust fund babies can show up with 5 and 6 thousand dollar carbon fiber bikes and spend their whole lives in the gym working out because they don't have to hold down a full time job...well I'm using my snorkel... because it is legal!! In fact I have even met a few competitors who had to resort to back strokes and side strokes and knew nothing of the rule but wish they had. As much as I want to compete without one I just as equally want to kick but in the swim with one, I am usually a midpack swimmer with one but getting better every race.
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LongTime posted 1 year ago.
I don't sight as often as I used to. I watch other swimmers and gauge my direction off of them. Still look up but not as much. Notice I didn't say following a single swimmer, but groups of two or three? One of them always seems to look up to get his or her bearings.
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Jstyle posted 1 year ago.
I used to make fun of my racing partner all the time because he wanted to wear a snorkel on the swims. I kept clowning him and telling him it wasn't legal hey I guess I might just be wrong on this one. Now I am going to cling to the fact because he also wants to use those huge grandma pads on his saddle while this may be legal as well it is still prime relentless jokes...
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Pete L. posted 1 year ago.
Its legal according to the director of a lot of the races I do here in Utah. Maybe not Ironman races, I don't know. Its interesting to see different wording in the supposedly same handbook.
It doesn't help you swim faster, so I don't know why it should be illegal. I think it would slow a good swimmer down, and maybe help a bad breather finish. Anyone serious about competing, I couldn't see putting up with one. I've swam with one to focus on form, and they (at least mine) are extremely uncomfortable. I wouldn't want to do a race of any distance with it.
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Sandman posted 1 year ago.
I don't see a real advantage for using a snorkel. I think it would actually cause you to swim slower....due to sighting issues etc. I think it would be pretty uncomfortable too.
Hey, if someone wants to use a snorkel in a race... Let them.
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Triguy98 posted 1 year ago.
I doubt you rebreath too much Co2. I have been snorkeling and diving since I was 5, and have extensive snorkel experience. That little valve at the upturn of the snorkel? Blow by valve. Not only helps drain water when it gets in your tube, but air that would settle there as well. It works pretty darn well, actually. Cant recall a time I even got dizzy when using a snorkel, even after being in the water for more than an hour.
I can see how they would be an advantage to the wearer. You can keep your head down and focus on rotation without taking the little extra time to breathe. I think those savings could add up if someone practiced swimming with one oten enough.Yeah, you dont site as often, but do you need to when you are drafting off people?
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
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Jstyle posted 1 year ago.
Ehhh I have tried using just drafting off of people and that doesn't always work :)
At the pool. Is it true that you can race in any kind of Triathlon, from Sprint to Iron Man, and swim with a snorkel? :confused:
I mean, if I remember correctly, you are not allowed to use any kind of swimming aids and, well, correct me if I am wrong, but snorkels are swimming aids, aren't they? :confused:
Maria.
"Far better is to dare mighty things, to win glorious Triumph, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spiritis who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not Victory nor defeat."
Theodore Roosevelt.