SNORKELLING - The Ultimate Family Sport

What makes snorkelling so much fun and easy to learn is the entire family can participate at the same time, regardless of age, skill and physical fitness. In fact, snorkelling is one of the easiest, most fun and most popular ways for your family to enjoy the underwater world. And if you're planning a trip south this year with your family, now is the perfect time to learn or refine your snorkelling skills.

Often it's been said, "There's nothing to it"! The truth is, there are a number of skills to learn which will make snorkelling easier and more enjoyable. Making sure your have the right equipment makes a great deal of difference.

Equipment

• Mask This is the most important piece of equipment you'll own. Comfort and style are important, and with a snug, watertight seal, your mask shouldn t leak.
• Snorkel A good snorkel has a soft mouthpiece and lets you breath normally. Look for a contoured fit to reduce drag. A purge valve will allow you to clear water easily. Some snorkels have a second valve or splash guard which keeps water from waves breaking around you from entering the snorkel.
• Fins The right fins are also important. A comfortable fit along with a design matched to your physical size and level of physical fitness, will ensure hours of effortless cruising. You'll need to decide between fullfoot or strap fins with boots.
• Other gear A snorkelling vest offers floatation and, in some cases, extra warmth and sunburn protection. We believe vests should be mandatory equipment, especially for children.
  • A mesh bag provides a convenient way to tote and store your equipment. The mesh makes it even easier to flush your gear with fresh water when you've finished snorkelling for the day.
  • A sun protection suit (such as Stingray Bay) or another type of exposure suit are a great way to hide exposed skin from the hot sun. These suits are available for adults and children and are easy to wear
  • Sunscreen waterproof and at least 15 SPF is essential. And don't forget to reapply it.
  • Fish identification card/book it always helps to know what you re looking at. A waterproof fish identification card can provide information in the water. After your snorkel, check out a fish identification book and learn more about the creatures you saw in the water.
  • Underwater Camera If you want great souvenirs of your snorkelling adventure, take along a waterproof camera. But remember to let the fish come to you don t chase them!

Snorkelling is not difficult, but if you take the time learn many of the the right techniques, you'll enjoy it much more.

How do you learn? Experienced family or friends can help. Your local public library is a great scource of information related on snorkelling how to. Many local dive shops and area resorts offer snorkelling lessons at reasonable rates for the whole family.

Waterline offers a twoweek program (two hours each week) for adults and children (aged 6+).

KIDS & SNORKELLING

Snorkelling is a great way to get kids and parents involved in the same activity. Any child who can put a mask on his/her face can enjoy the underwater world. Of course, swimming ability comes into play as well. But a child in water wings or a Jelly Belly, with a mask on his face, can still 'snorkel' beside a parent in shallow water and get a taste for what's down there!

Snorkelling has an added benefit as well. Children that have a mask on makes them feel like 'one of the big kids'! It's also makes it easier, and more fun, to put their face in the water too. What the kids don't know is that when they put their face down in the water, their feet come up to the surface and swimming becomes much easier.

Well fitting snorkelling equipment is essential if you want your kids to enjoy the activity. While an adult may understand that a leaking mask is likely because of the quality of equipment, kids can't make the distinction. To them, a leaking mask is just 'yucky' and increases the chances of turning them off snorkelling for good. The same theory holds true for snorkelling vests. No matter how well a child swims, everyone (child and parents alike) will feel more secure if the child is wearing a vest. And if that vest fits well and is comfortable and easy to use, your child won't even fight the concept!

This is a great family outting and a great add on to a cruise or your next tropical vacation.