ocean

National Geographic Ocean Flag Design Winner

by Cathy on May 26, 2010

Everyone loves National Geographic, they appeal to all ages.

The most recent contest asked kids to draw a picture and write a short essay telling National Geographic what ocean preservation and exploration means to them. Out of hundreds of designs and essays, the winner was Rachana, a 12 year old from Illinois.

World Explorers such as Robert Ballard were chosen as judges in the contest. The drawing will be made into a flag and will be hung on the National Geographic Ocean Research Ship this year. You can read Rachana’s essay on the National Geographic site. Congratulations to Rachana!

How Young is to Young to Go Snorkeling

by admin on October 25, 2009

We get this question all the time and the answer? It depends on the child. Taking the little one to the pool first and introducing them to snorkeling is the first step. Make sure they have all the proper fitting snorkel gear, mask, fins, snorkel & snorkeling vest.

Here is a video that you should review first before the little one uses a snorkeling mask, How To Size for a Good Fitting Snorkeling Mask.

Next, you want to make sure the kids snorkeling vest fits and make sure you that it is partially inflated at all times while they are in the water. Most of the snorkeling vests have locking rings so the kids can not deflate the vest to easily. Here is a video to show you how to wear the snorkeling vest.

Because the ocean is so big, be prepared and understand that if they chicken out when they see the ocean. This is very common so dont force the child, take it slow. When you do get them in the ocean they also may be a little intimidated by what they see as some of the fish maybe “ugly” or “big”. Before you go in the water, review with them the underwater creatures they might see. There are wrist ids, waterproof books & cards that you can do in advance or while you are in the water.

It goes without saying, that adult supervision is always required when children are in or near water. Teach your kids good habits, how we never touch anything underwater and the beauty will be there when your kids have kids.

Fear of the Ocean with Snorkel Equipment

by Cathy on August 24, 2009

Snorkel Equipment is a big part of snorkeling. Actually without it, you can not say you were snorkeling. I dont know what you would call it. That is just one question that we receive.

Our job is to make your snorkeling experience an enjoyable one and answering emails and the phone is part of our job. And I do have to giggle with some of the questions that we receive. Besides the common questions and comments about snorkel equipment, here is one of my favorites and I asked Roy to answer this. The common question is “Why am i so afraid of the ocean?”

It is quite common to have a “fear” of the ocean. It is huge and can be very intimidating. I am a scuba diver and did a lot of diving in lakes and freshwater bodies of water but it was a year before I did my first ocean snorkel trip with my new snorkel equipment.

I walked out onto the beach the first day and went “wow that’s big” (talking about the ocean not anything else LOL). You start thinking of things like how deep is it and what’s in there and until you actually go and do it, it can make you nervous. I have turned my fear into a healthy respect for the ocean and the more I snorkel it, the more respect I accrue.

The night before leaving for my ocean trip, I was too excited to sleep and ended up watching JAWS and JAWS II which really isn’t advisable before leaving for your first Ocean snorkel trip. When I got into the water though I was a little disappointed at not seeing a shark. I said “a little” disappointed mind you. I saw a lot of other neat critters thoughand am happy that I am one of those people who are able to explore the other 78% of this earth’s surface.

Find out the neat stuff about the ocean, grab your snorkeling mask and snorkel, begin to explore the shallow areas where you are comfortable. You will be surprised at some of the neat stuff you will see.

III. Snorkeling Q&A From Aqua Man

by Roy on July 25, 2009

Another part of our job is to go on the internet and answer snorkeling questions that we find and we will now share some with you, as you may have the same questions.

Going snorkeling and Im not the best swimmer, should I be worried? I know how to swim, float, backstroke, etc. But Im not sure how to tread water. I have been snorkeling before, but never without a flotation device. Im worried about staying afloat. Should I be or is it not even a big deal? Will I figure it out, sink, drown, etc?

One thing that is in your favor is that people are more buoyant in salt water than they are in fresh water. I would suggest using a snorkeling vest which is different than a divers’ flotation device (called a BCD). The snorkeling vest is usually worn deflated while snorkeling and is orally inflated when the snorkeler needs to rest. It can be worn partially inflated as well. There is nothing wrong with wearing the snorkeling vest as I feel, even those that swim well should wear one. It adds to a higher degree of visibility in the water because of the color and lends a hand when a hand is needed. Read, Snorkeling Vests – How to Select the Right One.

Why am i so afraid of the ocean? I like the beach and i can sit in the really shallow bits, I’m fine in pools to ???

It is quite common to have a “fear” of the ocean. It is huge and can be very intimidating. I am a snorkeler and did a lot of snorkeling in lakes and freshwater bodies of water. The first time I went to the ocean, I walked out on to the beach the first day and went “wow that’s big” (talking about the ocean not anything else LOL). You start thinking of things like how deep and what’s in there and until you actually go and do it, it can make you nervous. I have turned my fear into a healthy respect for the ocean and the more I go into it, the more respect I accrue. The night before leaving for my ocean trip, I was too excited to sleep and ended up watching JAWS and JAWS II which really isn’t advisable before leaving for your first ocean snorkeling trip. When I got into the water though I was a little disappointed at not seeing a shark. I said a little disappointed, mind you. I saw a lot of other neat critters though and am happy that I am one of those people who are able to explore the other 78% of this earth’s surface.

Look At The Snorkeling Coloring Page

by Cathy on January 10, 2009

Going on vacation soon? For those who have little ones, here is a great site that is a snorkeling color page for the little snorkelers.

Well, the snorkeling coloring page is just not for the young, here is my page. Photobucket

Snorkeling Off the Beaches of Cancun

by Cathy on December 31, 2008

What a fun few days we had in Cancun. Before Sarah and I went on the Jungle Cruise, we went snorkeling outside of the condo where we stayed in Cancun. It was basic and shallow so when we walked out to the water, we found that because of the heat and how shallow the waters were, the fishies were no where to be found. Our solution was not as we expected. We walked down the beach were we were hoping to find rock or in this case, boulders in the water where the fish would have shade.

Our experience is a good example of first observing your surrounding area before you get in the water. While the beach is beautiful and the sound and feel of the ocean is awesome, we had to be careful. There was a strong wind which brought the waves cracking to the shore. Watch our video.

The Darnest Things Kids Say…

by Cathy on September 19, 2008

You have to love children and this is a list we received via email. Students were asked to write about the ocean and well, it made us chuckle. :) We decided to share with you.

1. This is a picture of an octopus. It has eight testicles. – Kelly, age 6

2. If you are surrounded by ocean you are an island. If you don’t have ocean all round you, you are incontinent. – Wayne, age 7

3. Sharks are ugly and mean, and have big teeth, just like Emily Richardson. She’s not my friend any more. -Kylie, age 6

4. A dolphin breathes through a butthole on the top of its head. – Billy, age 8

5. My uncle goes out in his boat with 2 other men and a woman and 20 pots and comes back with crabs. – Millie, age 6

6. When ships had sails, they used to use the trade winds to cross the ocean. Sometimes when the wind didn’t blow the sailors would whistle to make the wind come. My brother said they would have been better off eating beans. – William, age 7

7. Mermaids live in the ocean. I like mermaids. They are beautiful and I like their shiny tails, but how on earth do mermaids get pregnant? Like, really? – Helen, age 6

8. I’m not going to write about the ocean. My baby brother is always crying, my Dad keeps yelling at my Mom and my big sister is always in trouble, so I can’t think what to write. – Amy, age 6

9. Some fish are dangerous.. Jellyfish can sting. Electric eels can give you a shock. They have to live in caves under the sea where I think they have to plug themselves into chargers. – Christopher, age 7

10. When you go swimming in the ocean, it is very cold and it makes me shake. – Kevin, age 6

11. The ocean is made up of water and fish. Why the fish don’t drown I don’t know. - Bobby, age 6

12. My dad was a sailor on the ocean. He knows all about the ocean.  What he doesn’t know is why he quit being a sailor and married my mom. – James, age 7