swiminto,
I agree that "lap swimmers" (as you so belittlingly called them
) can, at times, overdo it with the use of equipment. However, a big part of learning any physical skill is training the neuromuscular system to operate in a particular, coordinated way. I think the snorkel can help with this.
In swimming, I think one of the most difficult things to teach (though easy to understand, conceptually) is the need to keep the body as linear as possible during all phases of the stroke. This means a small, narrow kick, a tight core with no bowing at the hips, and rotating through the hips and shoulders simultaneously.
Most swimmers don't do these things properly. Moreover, for many "beginners" (or even advanced swimmers who never learned proper technique), there is too much going on with kicking, pulling, rotating, and breathing for there to be any *real focus* on keeping the body as linear as possible. It's often too difficult to concentrate on all the technical aspects of the stroke when rotary breathing is in the mix, because breathing takes precedence over everything else. It's a primary instinct, after all.
For this reason, then, I like the idea of using a snorkel--no matter what your skill level may be. Removing the rotary breathing can really help get the feel for swimming in a straight line. It can also really help synchronize the rotation of hips and shoulders, balance the stroke, prevent the hands from crossing over the center line, and help keep the kick contained within the body's alignment. Simply put, when you don't have to concentrate on rotating every 3-5 seconds for air, you can put a lot more thought into the rest of your stroke.
I could probably go on, but I think this is sufficient.
Any thoughts?