Hello Blog Readers, it is Roy and my co-workers love to give me new titles and today it looks like I am Snorkeling Gear Master. I have to admit that since I have been snorkeling and working in this industry for over 25 years, the title Snorkeling Gear Master, I am flattered. Lets get to the question our readers asked…
Incoming or out going tides… when is the best time to go snorkeling?
You want to snorkel with your new snorkel gear when the water is nearest the shore. It is called High Slack Tide. If you chose to snorkel in a low tide, you would have to walk out farther to reach the waters. You would risk injuring the coral and yourself that would be exposed or closer to the surface when the water is in low tide. When the waters are in high tide, the same corals would be deeper and make it easier to snorkel over them. Here is a great article to read, Snorkeling From The Shore.
So you think that your new snorkeling gear is just for swimming. Here are two ladies in Alaska that use their mask & snorkel for more than just snorkeling. Joanna Hollier who is 86 years old and Shirley Henley, 87 years old who have been swimming (with their mask & snorkel) at the local swimming pool for the last 30 years every day. Now they are an inspiration to all of us. So when your vacation is over, do not put away your new snorkel and mask, jump in the swimming pool. Here is their story which we found in the Kenai Peninsula newspaper.
Yep, we were a little slow on the tweets & posts, but we finally made it! Come and join us on the fun conversations we have with you, our snorkeling family!
Roy is our head twit and post writer, so jump on and say hi!
We are going to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. National Geographic TV made this video and if you cant get to Australia this week, put your snorkel gear on and relax… but dont forget to breathe through your snorkel or your snorkeling mask will get fogged!
A question was asked, When is the best time to snorkel? High Tide or Low Tide?
Our Snorkeling Expert, Roy, explained that if you snorkel in a high slack tide, it is usually the best time because the water is nearest the shore. Now if you chose the to snorkel during the low tide, you would have to walk out farther from the beach to get to the water. You can also risk getting hurt on pieces of coral that would be exposed or closer to the surface of the water when the tide is low. Now if it was high tide, those same corals would be deeper and you could snorkel over the corals.
We often get questions on everything about snorkeling and we would like to share with you on the answer. If you would like to ask any questions, please let me know.
Roy
How do I stop getting cramps in my legs or feet while snorkeling?
There could be more than a few reasons and I bet they have to do with your snorkeling fins. Lets discuss each possible reason.
1 – If you are wearing a full foot snorkeling fins and you have wide feet or high arches, you will usually cramp up. The solution is to wear strap fins.
2 – The blade portion of your snorkeling fins may be to stiff. All fins need to have a reasonable degree of flexibility in the blade area to help reduce stress on the calf and thigh area. The stiffer the blade, the greater chance of cramping. (Most cheap fins have a stiff blade, remember you get what you pay for.)
3 – Another reason for cramping is because you may be using improper kicks or kicking to hard. When using your fins, your legs should be kept straight and the kick should be more from the hip rather than below the knee. If your knees bend when you are kicking, then you are kicking to hard.
4 – When was the last time you checked your potassium? A banana or avocados should help, and dont forget to call for an appointment with your doctor!
We hope we have helped you with any cramping that you may have with your snorkeling fins. Here is a great article, Snorkeling Fins, Select the Right Pair, that will help you with your snorkeling fins choice. Have fun in the water!
Please, take a snorkel dive flag with you when you go out into the open waters. This cool snorkel dive flag hooks onto your snorkel and shows boaters that you are in the water. What reminded me to tell you about this life saving product?
I just read an article about a snorkeler who was snorkeling in a popular spot in Phuket, Thailand. A speedboat ran the tourist over and dragged him for over a mile before the captain stopped. The guy is fine well not counting the bruises and he did lose his snorkeling mask, snorkel and fins. This gentleman is very lucky!
I have to admit that since I have been snorkeling and working in this industry for over 25 years, the title Snorkeling Gear Master, I am flattered. Lets get to the question our readers asked…
A question was asked, When is the best time to snorkel? High Tide or Low Tide?
