Chris+Cantlon+Snorkelling

Snorkelling Snorkelling is the method of swimming on top of or through water while wearing a diving mask, a tube called a snorkel and flippers. A wetsuit may also be worn. Snorkelling equipment allows the swimmer to observe underwater features for a period of time. Snorkelling is a popular activity, particularly in tropical regions of the world and SCUBA diving locations. The main point of snorkelling is to observe the underwater life in its natural setting without using heavy SCUBA diving equipment. Snorkelling appeals too many people because it is effortless, interesting, doesn’t need instruction and it’s a good way to exercise.

History Modern snorkelling can trace its roots back over 5000 years of history. Ancient divers used hollow reeds to allow them to breathe while underwater. There is documentation of sponge farm divers from Crete (Greece), around 3000 B.C.E. Aristotle wrote about divers taking air from a tube connected to the surface and Leonardo a Vinci had designs for diving apparatus from a simple tube to a completely self-contained diving suit. He also had sketches of webbed swimming gloves, which are similar to modern flippers. When water pressure one or two feet below the surface became too high for even the strongest pair of lungs to take a breath, equipment more like SCUBA diving apparatus was invented. This led to the clear distinction between snorkelling and SCUBA diving. Modern rubbers, plastics and lenses were soon developed to improve the comfort of snorkellers and make snorkelling easier and enjoyable.

Equipment & Materials The main equipment and materials that are required for snorkelling are as follows.  Wetsuit: A wetsuit is a form of clothing that you can wear when snorkelling. It is optionally worn and can be used for insulating your body in cool ocean waters, protection from the sun's rays in hot weather and to help provide buoyancy while in the water. Snorkelling Mask: The snorkelling mask is the most important piece of equipment when snorkelling. A proper mask serves as the window between a snorkeller and the word beneath the water. The snorkellers perspective would be significantly reduced and distorted without the mask. The mask should provide a clear unobstructed view and many snorkellers choose ones with side windows for better peripheral vision. The mask and head strap should be a good fit and have a thorough seal.

Snorkel: The snorkel is a flexible tube made from rubber that attaches to the snorkelling mask. The main purpose of the snorkel is to allow the snorkeller to swim for extended periods of time under the water without going up to the surface too often. Generally the larger the person, the larger the snorkel tube needs to be. The mouth piece is composed of two parts, a large oval lip flange, which fits just inside the diver’s lips and the bite piece, which should be gripped between the diver’s teeth. The mouth piece should fit comfortably. Some snorkels are fitted with a drain valve to let the snorkeller remove the water. Some also come with a special tip that prevents excess water from splashing into the top of the tube. When the snorkel fills up with water the snorkeller will have to exhale to force the water out of the tube. A successful snorkeller will soon learn to have a regular pattern to control their breathing.

Flippers (Fins): Fins are essential if a snorkeller wants to power through the water efficiently and manoeuvre easily. Snorkellers use their legs to move quickly, taking the strain off a swimmer’s arms and allowing them to enjoy what they observe below the surface. There are two types of fins, which are open heel fins and full foot fins. They must fit comfortably and securely so they don’t fall off or cause blisters and pain if too tight. A good fit will give the snorkeller maximum effort when kicking. Some divers choose to wear Neoprene booties when using open heel fins because they protect their feet from coming into contact with sharp objects and rough surfaces underwater.

Life Vest/Jacket: Life jackets are small inflatable vests that can be worn in the water to help improve buoyancy. They optional to be worn and are not designed to be a life jacket or to allow those who cannot swim to snorkel. They allow the wearer to relax and focus and enjoy the marine perspective. The jackets are a good idea for a child’s safety and allow the snorkeller to use less energy. When learning to snorkel, first get comfortable wearing the mask and breathing through the snorkel. To make sure your mask does not fog up while snorkelling, use a bit of saliva to wipe around the lens. Start in shallow water testing out your breathing rhythm. Put your face below the surface and look though the mask. Breathe through the snorkel while looking around at the aquatic life, without swimming.
 * Three snorkellers prepare for snorkelling with the essential equipment at Beaumaris Yacht Club. **How do you snorkel?

Next, learn how to clear your snorkel by exhaling with a strong force through your mouth, which should send water up and out the end of the snorkel. You may have a built-in drainage valve that does this job.

Clearing your mask is similar to clearing a snorkel. Simply lift your head out of the water and pull the mask forward, allowing the water to drain out. If you have a built-in purge valve and a one-way valve on your mask you can clear it out quickly by blowing out of your nose. Air will bubble into the mask pushing water out the bottom.

Try snorkelling in open water where you cannot touch the bottom. Use your fins to stay afloat upright as well as moving around while floating face down in the water. Practice your breathing and use a basic flutter kick. This is a very efficient kick and will propel you through the water quickly. Remember to keep your fins under the water. About 20 kicks per minute will help you cruise along without becoming too fatigued. Keep your arms at your sides to reduce drag.

For the more adventurous, diving underwater head-first or feet-first is more challenging. To descend vertically to the bottom, raise your chest and arms above the surface by kicking and as your body weight begins to pull you back down, raise your arms above your head, sweeping them upward to push yourself lower.

Exhale a small amount of breath as you descend, as it is harder to sink when your lungs are full of air. Pull your knees to your chest and lower your head. This will rotate your body horizontally so you can now swim underwater. To dive head-first, bend at the hips, pull your knees and arms towards your chest and thrust your legs straight up. This will help you maintain a streamlined position. Continue to kick to move deeper and arch your back to level off or continue to the surface. media type="youtube" key="pDzXYJAe5yU" height="320" width="576" align="center" Who can snorkel? Snorkelling is an easy activity that basically everyone can do. People should be competent swimmers and be able to adapt to the elements of the ocean. Don’t snorkel alone because if something goes wrong you won’t have any support to help you. Young children should snorkel with an adult and should be able to swim proficiently. Snorkelling is more a recreational activity that all ages can enjoy, whereas SCUBA diving requires training and a lot more skills and preparation. Remember to always swim with a buddy, even in groups.

Where can you snorkel? Snorkelling can be done all over the world. Locally Port Phillip Bay is ideal, Phillip Island, Wilsons Promontory, Apollo Bay and Cape Nelson. Every inch of Australia’s 2000 kilometre long Great Barrier Reef could be considered a world class destination for snorkellers. Island such as Lord Ho we Island and Heron Island are suitable locations. In the West, Rottnest Island, Albany (Seal Cove) and the world class Ningaloo National Park are perfect locations. Overseas, the Pacific Island such as Fiji and Tahiti attract many tourists. Snorkelling is an activity that can be done locally as a hobby and internationally as a holiday activity.

When is it a good time to go snorkelling? The best time to go snorkeling is at or just after high or low tide when it is at its calmest; however, a lot depends on the weather conditions and the place where you decide. Most people prefer to snorkel during the warmer seasons. People often choose tropical destinations during holidays to try out this activity. As they become more proficient they can try new areas that are in cooler waters. Majority of people snorkel anywhere at any time that suits their routine, but certain times of a day are better. Visibility is better and a greater abundance of marine life is available.

Why should you snorkel? Snorkelling is a great outdoor activity that exercises the whole body and mind. Snorkelling is relaxing, fairly easy and enjoyable. You can build up relationships with others by interacting with groups of like-minded people who love the outdoors. It can improve your swimming skills, breathing habits and awareness of what is around you. The ocean offers a fascinating underwater world that you can explore and have an enjoyable time while snorkelling.

My personal experiences I have snorkelled a few times as a child and later as a teenager. As a child I wore a generic snorkel and mask without flippers and enjoyed diving under the water looking at the marine life, which I was fascinated by. This was generally down the road at Mentone and Ricketts Point, Rye and Portsea on the Mornington Peninsula and the Murray River at Mildura, which was a muddy experience. In 2010, I tried snorkelling with the correct equipment during the Year 9 3C9 program at Ricketts Point, Beaumaris. I enjoyed it more because I had a good instructor (Mr Gary Bottomley) and the equipment that was provided made the underwater experience more pleasurable. Another snorkelling activity that I have participated in was the ‘Great Victorian

Fish Count’. I had to observe the different types of fish species living in the temperate coastal waters of Ricketts Point, Port Phillip Bay. Snorkelling is an enjoyable outdoor activity to undertake and fascinating.

**I received a shirt after participating in the 'Great Victorian Fish Count'. ** media type="custom" key="10782656" align="center" **Map of Beaumaris Yacht Club, which is where I went snorkelling for 3C9 and the 'Great Victorian Fish Count' in 2010.**

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**By Ch****ris C****antlon 1****0W** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Sa****ndringh****am Coll****e****ge, Beaumaris Campus** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Year 10 Outdoor Education**

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 125%; text-align: left;">References: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snorkeling http://www.snorkeling.info/index.html http://www.snorkeling.info/snorkeling-basicsindex.html http://www.snorkeling.info/snorkeling-equipment/snorkeling-masks/index.html http://www.snorkeling.info/snorkeling-equipment/snorkels/index.html http://www.snorkeling.info/snorkeling-equipmentsnorkel-finsindex.html http://www.snorkeling.info/snorkeling-equipment/snorkel-vests/index.html http://www.tomzap.com/snorkel.html http://www.soft-adventure-tourism.com/best-snorkeling.html http://www.travellady.com/Issues/November06/3639Snorkeling.htm http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_Best_time_to_snorkel_low_or_high_tides http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDzXYJAe5yU http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/Other_g374-Snorkelling_In_Sea_p48365.html http://acobox.com/sites/default/files/images03/Snorkeling_Dry_Tortugas_National_Park.preview.jpg http://acobox.com/sites/default/files/img/0/32/Snorkeler_with_blacktip_reef_shark.preview.jpg http://acobox.com/sites/default/files/images03/Snorkelers-on-Elkhorn-Coral.preview.jpg