Really now, have you ever actually seen a snorkel used in a triathlon event? Probably not, and I concede that may make this discussion immediately irrelevant. However, it turns out to be an interesting topic, valuable for at least some trivia to impress your fellow triathletes.
What is appealing about the snorkel debate is the lack of conformity between the world-wide governing bodies and corporations of triathlon. USAT, British Triathlon, Australia Triathlon, Triathlon Canada, the WTC, and the ITU each take a different approach in their written swim rules. Surprisingly, snorkels are rarely banned.
USAT
Competitive Rule 4.9, entitled Illegal Equipment states: Any swimmer wearing any artificial propulsion device, including but not limited to fins, gloves, paddles, or floating devices of any kind shall be disqualified. There is nothing in the rules that explicitly excludes snorkels, only propulsion and flotation devices. Even the clause “including but not limited to” is still only specific to propulsion devices, which snorkels can hardly be considered.
Individual triathlon events, like the WTC-owned Ironman series, can request “dispensations” from USAT. There are basically exceptions or additions to USAT rules (these dispensations were the cause the recently-mended feud between the WTC and USAT). The USAT dispensations for Ironman events do explicitly ban snorkels. The fascinating thing about this is that the WTC recognizes the snorkel loophole in the USAT rules, and has to request a specific ban in their dispensations.
British Triathlon
Technical Rules 9.1 states: Competitors shall use no aids other than a cap, goggles, nose clip and a costume, which may be a wetsuit. The approach from British triathlon is the opposite of USAT. USAT says what you specifically can’t use, and British Triathlon lists the only things that you can use, which does not include snorkels. Therefore snorkels are against British Triathlon rules.
Australia Triathlon
Australia takes the same approach as USAT. Australia Triathlon Rule 58 states: Any artificial propulsion device, e.g. fin, sock, glove, paddle or flotation device except a wet suit, is prohibited. As in the US, snorkels would technically be legal in Australian racing unless specifically banned by additional dispensations.
Triathlon Canada
Triathlon Canada takes what is likely the most thorough approach, listing both allowed and disallowed equipment (by the way, the detail and length of the Canadian rules make the USAT rules look like they were written on the back of a napkin). While rule D.3.1 states what can be used, rule D.3.2 states: Athletes must not use artificial propulsion devices, (i.e. fins, socks, gloves, paddles, or floatation devices)… Again, snorkels are not mentioned as allowed or disallowed.
ITU
Finally, the International Triathlon Union. Surely, when all else fails we can count on the ITU, the governing body of Olympic triathlon for the world, to provide some clarity? Actually, the ITU rules are written identical to the Canadian rules, resulting in the same level ambiguity.
In fact, the word “snorkel” cannot be found in any section of any of the above triathlon federations’ rules, other than the WTC exception.
I know what you are thinking. You’re thinking, “snorkels are not specifically banned, because you shouldn’t have to list every piece of equipment against the rules.” I agree, but when you consider that just about every other swim aid is mentioned and banned (fins, paddles, gloves,) snorkels are at least a blatant omission. Coupled with the fact the Ironman events had to ask for permission to ban snorkels from USAT, it leaves the issue somewhat unsettled.
Even if snorkels are technically legal, should you actually try to use one when racing at a sanctioned event? No way. More than likely, the race director will not allow it, and if you pull out your rulebook to support your position, he or she will either laugh in your face or disqualify you. Other than for medical issues, such as neck mobility, your fellow athletes will see your attempt to pull this off as ridiculous at best, and an unfair advantage at worst.
A further discussion of snorkels when racing and training can be found in Episode 32 of the Tri Talk Triathlon Podcast.