Snorkeling Guide

Welcome to the Sydney Snorkeling Group. Here you can share your love for all things ocean with like minded individuals.

What do I need to get started? In a nutshell: Mask, Snorkel & Fins (& baby shampoo, snorkel ring)

If you have trouble breathing through your mouth, then start with a full face snorkel.

The size is measured from the top of your nose to your chin. Because the breath has a separate chamber these should not fog up easily. When you put the mask on before entering the water, check if fogging occurs at your eyes. If so, there may not be a proper seal around your nose. This mask is hard to dive with and is mainly for surface floating.

Where can I buy the gear?

The full face mask can be bought at Decathlon and some dive shops. The image above is from Decathlon and retails for approx. $50 and should you happen to find that this equipment is not your style, Decathlon allows for returns, even after using it.

Masks

Masks come in all shapes and sizes. If you’re unsure you can buy a cheap set of mask, snorkel and fins from places like kmart. However, many report, that the poor quality snorkel (mouthpiece) inhibits the joy of the experience. When picking a mask keep these tips in mind: https://youtu.be/YwnNpKqZl4w

Look for a mask that is comfortable and doesn’t prod you around the nose uncomfortably. Ensure the seal around the mask puts equal pressure on your face all the way around. A mask with an equal seal does not need to be done up tight, which can cause indentations and discomfort on the face. The more experienced snorkelers find great joy in using low volume masks. These are masks that sit closer to your face and thus reducing the air volume in the mask. They can be more hydrodynamic in design as a result.

Why would you want a low volume mask?

When diving deeper and deeper, the compression and differences in pressure will make your mask and ears feel uncomfortable. As a result, when diving you “pop” your ears by holding your nose and blowing. This is why many masks have a soft rubbery nose part. In addition, a small amount of air is breathed into the mask to make it more comfortable. The larger the volume in your mask, the more precious air you must use from your lungs. Adreno (Adreno Scuba Diving Sydney 2/678-682 Botany Rd, Alexandria NSW 2015, (02) 8338 9399 https://goo.gl/maps/fmFD3NVAkyN2)

 is a highly recommended place for its large store. Frog Dive Scuba is a smaller, one-on-one store that has a pool out the back, where you can try their products. Any reputable diving store will do. But take your time and shop for that perfect fit.

****************Your mask will fog! And dramatically reduce the enjoyment and comfort of Snorkeling. Buy anti fog from the dive store or use Johnson's baby shampoo.

Add a drop to the mask, spread around with your finger, when you get to the water, rinse ~ 1-2 times! And you’re good to go. One snorkeler (Yulia) used a small spray bottle to apply hers mixed with water. Vaseline has also been reported to add an additional seal when applied to the rubber edges of the mask. Masks from dive shops come with a manufacturing layer inside your mask, this adds to the fogginess of your mask. Ask your store to remove it for you or their recommendations in removing it. One suggestion is to use a toothpaste with grit and scrub inside the mask rinsing with hot water, up to eight times.******************

You can test the effectiveness of your scrubbing by doing half the mask and breathing air into it. See how it easily fogs then.

Snorkels

There are three basic types. All dependent on how comfortable you are with having water in your mouth. And also your ability to blow water out. Freedivers, use very simple and soft flexible fixed shape snorkel tubes, that require a strong breath to clear.

Many basic and cheap sets have a similar design, but are less comfortable.

The next one is a snorkel that has a shield at the top that MINIMISES water entering into the tube and near the bottom of the mouth piece there is an apparatus known as a purge valve. When you blow out water it will exit via this valve instead of the whole tube. You may prefer this type if you don’t find blowing water out a full length of tube comfortable. In addition, because there is no stopper valve at the top of the tube, you won’t experience a choking feeling when a wave hits. If you find, the sudden stopping of air uncomfortable, you may enjoy this snorkel more.

Some snorkels have a ribbed section. This allows the mouth piece to drop away when you take it out of your mouth to speak or dive, unlike the first snorkel.

Lastly, the third snorkel has a stopper valve at the top. This valve activates when waves hit your snorkel. Causing a momentary block in air supply to prevent water from getting in. This is a snorkel for you if you really don’t want any water in your mouth.

************Most snorkels come with a plastic clip to attach to your mask. It is EXTREMELY LIKELY that this will break on your first snorkel. So while at the store purchase a snorkel ring!

Staying afloat. Full mask masks with fins are very buoyant due to large volume of air inside the mask. If you feel uncomfortable swimming, the full face mask may be for you. Other ideas are pool noodles or a swim vest.

Fins

Fins help you swim and struggle less! If you’re a strong swimmer, or were naturally born with large flipper feet, then swimming barefooted will be for you. Diving stores and sports stores such as Decathlon or Rebel have fins.

The longer the flipper, the easier to move through the water, the more efficient use of your energy/oxygen while underwater. Small flippers that surfers use are very convenient to carry and provide a little extra boost.

Average store flippers provide a moderate propulsion.

The material of the flipper will be more important to you as you get into snorkelling. Materials such as rubber, fibreglass or carbon. Why are these materials or designs important? Because they want to flex back into shape. So when you kick, the materials does an extra kick for you.

One of the most efficient fins and the creme de la creme of the range are freediving fins. As freedivers use a single breath to dive down and explore the underwater world, efficient use of energy is important. These are long though and a carry bag is highly recommended. Unlike the previous fins mentioned, you will need to buy socks for these fins to prevent chafing. But socks can double up as reef shoes.

Safety & Guidance

❤️ Go at your own pace ❤️ This is your experience, your body. You may feel the need to keep up with the group, don’t worry about that. Find others who are in a similar level to you and tag together.

***********IMPORTANT, if you have never used your snorkel gear spend the first 10-20 min in the shallows figuring and being comfortable with them. Adjusting it as you need. ***********

While, hosts and organisers endeavour to be considerate and inclusive, the Snorkeling Group in the end is just that...a group of people who have a love for the underwater and wish to share or experience with others. They volunteer of their own volition. As a result, responsibility, knowing of your limits and abilities, lies with you. But without you, there is no group!

Have fun, make friends, have an experience of a lifetime. If you have any questions, ask anybody and everybody! See you soon!

Extras

Sun Safe

Sunscreen is important. Surf sunscreens such as surf mud (face use) is a very good option as they are designed to put up with the harsh conditions of surfing. Whatever you choose slip slop slap! Some snorkelers wear rashies for sun protection. Keep in mind some sunscreens are harmful to reef life, ensure to pick a reef safe sunscreen.

Capturing the Moment

A few use gopros and others use Olympus. One is designed specifically more for specialty photography and the other for action. If you happen to capture any moment, we would love to see them!