Snorkeling is an extremely enjoyable activity that is bound to captivate you once you try it out. However, before you go snorkeling there are a few things that you need to observe so as to make your experience pleasant as well as safe. For instance, you would need to know about the snorkeling gear, techniques employed and the safety precautions that you would need to take.
The equipment you will need is a mask and snorkel, snorkel fins and preferably also a life vest or snorkeling vest. The mask covers your eyes and nose and allows you to see things underwater. It should be sealed and a tight fit so as to prevent water from getting in and it should also allow you to see clearly without obstructing your peripheral vision. It is recommended that you buy silicone masks as although they are more expensive, they are more durable and are able to accommodate more pressure.
The snorkel is a flexible tube which connects the snorkeler to the surface air and thereby allowing him or her to breathe while the head is in water. The size of the snorkel is dependent on the person using it therefore try it out and see whether it allows you to breathe comfortably which is a function of the its diameter as well as its length.
The snorkel also has a mouthpiece and this should be a comfortable fit where you do not have to bite down too hard on the bite piece. The fins provide speed underwater and help one to save on energy while snorkeling. There are two types of fins; full-foot fins cover the whole foot protecting the bottom of the feet while open-heel fins do not protect the bottom of the feet but are adjustable which means they can give a proper fit. You will also need to get flexible fins for a start because although stiffer fins propel you further per stroke they also require stronger muscles which you will develop as you frequently go snorkeling.
The snorkeling vests are ideal for beginners as they are designed to increase buoyancy and therefore making it easier for you to stay afloat which makes your experience more enjoyable.
SNORKELING TECHNIQUE
How you go about it will determine how much you enjoy the snorkeling. It is therefore important that you do it the right way and that you are relaxed so as to allow you to enjoy the amazing underwater environment and the aquatic wildlife. For starters learn how to keep your body streamlined.
This is achieved by relaxing your knees and ankles and then placing your arms at your side which reduces the resistance. Whilst in this position use a slow flutter kick motion and you will realize that the fins will propel you in the water and you do not need to use your hands for movement.
You will need to learn how to approximate distances when you are underwater because in the water objects look closer than they really are. This can be learnt by reaching out using your arm when you are in the water at a known distance which will guide you to know your arm's effective length in water. This is extremely crucial as it avoids you hitting objects or fellow snorkelers due to an inaccurate idea of the distance between you and them.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Before you go out snorkeling make sure that you know the snorkel equipment well and have checked to see that they are in good condition. You also need to learn how to clear the mask or the snorkel if they happen to get water inside as this may happen accidentally when you are in the water.
At the beginning it is advisable that you try it out first in a swimming pool or in shallow waters then after you have a feel of how it is then you can eventually try out deeper waters. It is also very important that you never ever go snorkeling alone and carry a life jacket with you as you might get muscle fatigue or encounter bad weather while out snorkeling.
Tevis is a scuba diving and snorkeling experts. He is very helpful to provide the best and professional scuba diving and snorkelling tips. Tevis can also help you to find out the best and quality scuba and snorkeling equipments to enjoy your sea journey.
Stuart Highway (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Even if i wear goggles, i still worry if water will get inside my eyes, and pull out my contact lens! Can that really happen when diving? Please advice me. Thanks.
I always dive with my contacts on. I have also swam on many occasions with them underwater and opened my eyes and haven't lost any yet. Of course there is always a chance of loosing them. Or if the water is very murky you probably don't want that on your contacts. For me it works without any probems but I always keep my old pair each month for a spare in case of a mishap.
I am traveling to Australia over the summer and will land in Sydney but want to make my way up the east coast probably to Cairns to dive the GBR. What is the cheapest way to do it?
I live in Brisbane Australia and I would either hire a car if you are planning to stop off at a few places, if you are just interested in the major ones like, Bondi Beach, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast etc or if you are just wanting to head straight to Cairns you may want to look at www.virgin.com.au or www.jetstar.com.au. They are having some great deals on atm. Buses are an ok way, however they do get very tedious and when you add up all your stops and you buy food for the road, magazines to keep you company, lollies etc it all add ups in the end. Good Luck!!
We want our kids to be able to experience many things but above all we want them to be safe when they practice these activities. With proper care and instructions, Snorkeling can be as safe for children as much as it is enjoyable.
Introducing your kids to snorkeling at a young age will undoubtedly bring out their sense of curiosity and adventures within themselves. With an ever changing scenery, your kids will become more alert and aware of their surroundings therefore stimulates their intellectual ability. This in turn will create excitement and will make them more respectful towards nature.
Being a physical active sport, snorkeling will definitely keep your kids in shape and make them become physically stronger. This is definitely a healthier alternative to virtual games if you are trying to keep your kids away from those console games which have got them hooked.
Snorkeling can also make your kids become more socially active. It will provide your kids something interesting to talk about. This is also a great way to expand their knowledge on flora, fish and fauna. Kids can easily pick up very early and they will eventually become more knowledgeable on marine life.
On the other hand, snorkeling with your kids will undoubtedly create a great bonding experience between you and your kids and as a result enhances your relationship together. Till this day, I still cherish the experiences I've had with my dad when he used to take me snorkeling with him. For me being so young it was just like the ultimate adventure. It left an impression that will last for ever. In fact writing this article is a byproduct of the shared experiences which I enjoyed with my dad during our snorkeling excursions. For that I am entirely grateful.
Today, more than ever, it's easier to experience snorkeling with your kids. If you are heading towards a family vacation to where watersports is the order of the day, you may try to book a snorkeling outing in advance. During these vacations, you can ensure that your kids obtain proper training to build up their snorkeling and swimming skills. Most sea side holiday resorts have qualified instructors which can assist your kids in obtaining the necessary instructions to get them started.
Hope you have enjoyed this article.
For more articles on kids snorkeling, be sure to check our kids section at our site the site at http://Scuba-Snorkeling-Adventures.com/kids-snorkeling.html. Here you will find many guides on how to teach your kids snorkeling, kids snorkeling safety and others more guides which will assist you in preparing your kids to start snorkeling the right way.
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Kris Mifsud- A keen enthusiast, with a life long passion for all types of water sports.
Editor and publisher of http://Scuba-Snorkeling-Adventures.com - a comprehensive Scuba and Snorkeling guide to techniques, equipment and reviews.
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kris Mifsud– A keen enthusiast, with a lifelong passion for all types of water sports.
Editor and publisher of http://Scuba-Snorkeling-Adventures.com - a comprehensive Scuba and Snorkeling guide to techniques, equipment and reviews.
