Snorkel is a fun exercise. I have just gotten into and am having a ball. I am hoping to go onto SNUBA.. or SASA.. If anyone is interested let me know and Ill post more information

julie

I don't like being far underwater but if you are on the coast, especially mangrove or rocky shore I totally recommend a snorkel and a good pair of flippers. You don't even notice all the exercise until later.

I would love to learn how to snorkel!! I think in my past life time I was born a fish. I don't really consider it excerise as long as you enjoy the sport and have fun doing it. Getting the extra exercise is just a bonus

First I reccomend a PADI snorkel course. yes your local PADI ceneter has a Snorkel course. It gives you the basics.

if you dont have a center you can get loads of info online. but frfom a newbie standpoint here is what I learned:

Snorkeling is a sinmple thing. YOu cant skimp on a mask and snorkel. A semi dry or ultra dry snorkel is what you will need with prefereably a dry purge/purge button.
The snorkel mouthpiece should fit comfortable in your mouth. Do not have to hold it by clensching you teeth on teh tooth ridge. It shoudl allow for free breathing. If it doesnt you need a bigger bore snorkel.
Snorkels come in a few basic lengths, often not longer tha 17 inches. Some however do go to 22 inches.


Your mask is the most important things. It should ahve a silicone skirt that seals against your face, a nose cup and fit flush.
To see if teh mask fits properly, fold the head band over and place the mask on your face. inhale through your nose, if teh mask sticks to your face and makes a nice seal its good one. Cozumel by US divers fits almost everyone.

Fins. Longer streamlined fins are a bit to get used to. The newer shorter power fins are easier.
I prefer he Powerflex fins myself. They maight be longer, but beng plus size it gives extra assurance and bouancy.

The thing with snorkeling is that you float no more than 4 inches to 9 inches below the surface. So amazingly the fins, and constant breathing in and out keep you very afloat like seaweed.
You feel wierd when you take the gear off and you feel like a rock.

A great basic starter set is US divers kit. 30 dollars at Kmart.

One thing you have to watch out for is a mask compression headache. It comes from a really good suction on teh face mask. After about 45 minutes ot an hour wiht it on youll begin to get a slight headache. This is just form teh pressure of teh mask. Remove the mask for about 30 minutes ad if needed take a tylenol.

Coughing or sore throat is another newbie thing to watch out for. It comes from breathing through teh snorkel. Once you get into a groove of breathing its eases up. But teh frist few times expect to get a slight sore throat. Warm tea with honey( yes 1 teaspoon of honey wont hurt your BGs) help to sooth it. So does some throat lozenges.

Unlike deep diving diabetic Snorkeling is simpler. Check your Bg before going into teh water. because you loose body temperature you may find you Bgs either stabilize or drop slightly. make sure your in the safe range.
If you are not like your too low eat abit of something that is no more tha 21 gramns of carbohyadrte. If you are too high you can have a snack but your Bgs will drop to normal within a few moments of being in the water. NO MATTER HOW WARM the water your temp willd drop along with your Bgs.


Its a rush to be there seeing underwater.. take a waterproof camera for some extra fun!

Sometimes (like when I hear talk about snorkeling!) I really wish that I had learned to swim. I always thought it looked fascinating... that and downhill skiing, but at least the skiing I could do.

It's never to late in life to learn Destiny. I took swimming lessons when I was younger and now I have taught my kids how to swim. So it's great excercise and fun for the entire family.

Very true. I'm remembering back to the time period when I was trying to learn. I think I made such a fool of myself in front of the people I was with at the time that I never felt an urge for a re-visit.

you couldn't pay me enough money to get under water and snorkel. I guess it's due to the fact that I'm scared of the unknown. And plus I watched way too many JAWS movies.

Theer is a big difference in Underwater( freedive/skin dive) and snorkel.
Snorkle you are on the surface looking down. You wear a BCD and you dont even have to know how to swim, Since you are floating like a soda bottle. You are naturally boyant at the surface.

Freediving/skin Diving are those of us who have learned to clear a snorkel from water and dive down. I have a maximum of 6-10 feet and 20 second holds as of right now.
Snorkeling is realy fun because you get to see so much just under the waters surface.


j