How to Breathe Better While Swimming

And how a snorkel can help

Let’s be honest, breathing while swimming can feel anything but natural. Between the strokes, kicks, and trying not to swallow half the pool, mastering your breath control is one of the biggest challenges swimmers face (and the most game-changing when done right).

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to sharpen your technique, improving your breathing can lead to more efficient strokes, longer swims, and better overall performance.

Here’s how to get it right:

The Basics: Why Breath Control Matters

In swimming, timing is everything (and that includes your breathing). Poor breath control can throw off your rhythm, cause unnecessary drag, and burn through energy faster than you can say “flip turn.”

Learning to breathe in a controlled, deliberate way helps:

• Reduce tension in your body

• Improve stroke efficiency

• Increase endurance

• Keep oxygen levels consistent (aka no mid-set gasping)

It’s not just about when you breathe, but how you do it.

The Technique: How to Breathe Better in the Water

Here are a few simple tips that make a big difference:

• Exhale underwater
  This may seem obvious to some - but don’t hold your breath between strokes. Exhale through your nose or mouth while your face is in the water, so you're ready for a quick inhale when you turn to breathe.

• Stay relaxed
  Tensing up restricts your breathing. The more relaxed your face, shoulders, and neck, the smoother your oxygen exchange.

• Bilateral breathing
  Practice breathing on both sides to balance your stroke and avoid over-rotating. It’s awkward at first, but totally worth it.

• Start slow
  Focus on breath control during drills or warm-ups. You don’t need to be gasping at full pace to see improvement.

The Game-Changer: Why You Should Train with a Snorkel

Enter: the FINIS Stability Snorkel - your secret weapon for mastering breath control and perfecting technique.

Using a snorkel in training eliminates the need to turn your head to breathe, letting you focus purely on your stroke, body position, and rhythm. It helps swimmers develop a natural breathing rhythm without compromising their form.

Why the FINIS Stability Snorkel is a standout:

✅ No head strap = zero faff
✅ Centred design = better balance
✅ Cushioned resting spot = train for longer without discomfort
✅ Helps reduce neck strain
✅ Ideal for drills, hypoxic sets, or just feeling like a fish with excellent posture

Whether you're a beginner learning to float or a seasoned swimmer refining your catch, the snorkel builds breathing confidence in a safe, controlled way.

Breathe Easy, Swim Better

Good breathing is good swimming. And like any skill, it improves with practice (and the right tools). So next time you hit the pool, bring your snorkel and start working on that smooth, confident, low-stress breath - your lungs, technique, and race times will thank you.

Shop the FINIS Stability Snorkel now and take your breathing game to the next level.