Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

SUMMARY: BUY this Swimmer Snorkel (a.k.a. Center Mount) and DO NOT buy the FREESTYLE version! I first bought the FINIS Swimmer Snorkel (I will now refer to this as the Center Mount)from Amazon. I left it at the YMCA on accident and it disappeared. I accidently bought the FREESTYLE version as a replacement. Here is what I learned... 1. You DO NOT Need a nose plug with either style, contrary to other reviews. 2. The Center Mount has a purge valve in which any excess water falls below the breathing apparatus and is pushed out on the exhale. The Freestyle DOES NOT have a purge valve. 3. Both snorkels work best with your head straight down. You shouldn't be turning your head with your body when you swim anyways, so this is nothing new. 4. NEITHER worked well with flips or diving under water. Clearing these snorkels with a strong exhale didn't seem to work comfortably or 5. BEGINNER swimmer...you can focus on technique without having to worry about self-preservation. Once you have a good balance/body roll, catch & release, and comfort level. You can slowly focus on swimming without the snorkel and maintaining a steady breathing pattern. 6. Great tool for kicking. You can kick while face down and arms to your side, reducing back injury from overextending on a kick board. This alone sold me. CONS: The FREESTYLE swimmer continuously flooded with water and was very unpleasant. I believe it will work with A LOT of effort such as Holding your breathe to increase buoyancy instead of exhaling at will. You will have to try a head straight down or slightly forward approach to find the right head placement. It is my opinion that this snorkel is way too tough to work with and should consider utilizing a purge valve and increased length. It may work well for a professional accustomed to this snorkel at fast speeds, but for 95% of people you will not like the FREESTYLE product.