in size to an adult’ s was too hard. They tended to break the blades( as they walked everywhere in them), struggled to swim properly and the result was fatigue. We found shorter-finned blades – the body-board style – were better starter fins, allowing them to train up to longer ones.
■ Dress for success. If it’ s sunny, rash vest or full suits will shield them from the sun; or you can cover them in reef-safe sun cream. Dressing someone else in a wetsuit can be a challenge, especially when they think bending limbs is helpful. But the neoprene does provide a secondary property after warmth – buoyancy.
■ Keep an eye out for cyanosis( blueing of the lips, fingernails and eyelids) and shivering. Kids get cold quickly but are, in my experience, often too busy enjoying the ocean to realise it. It has been commonplace for a shivering child, who’ s pallor now matches the hue of the sea, to insist:“ I am NOT cold. I want to stay IN!”
PHOTO: BECKI BIGGINS
A family that snorkels together sticks together
UKDIVING
Venturing out and building confidence
■ A surface marker buoy( SMB) is always useful; primarily for warning others, especially boat operators, of your location. However, they boys see it more a place to rest or to provide a feeling of extra security. They were much happier venturing out into deeper water and staying out for longer if they had the‘ float’ to return to, grasp hold of, and take a breather.
■ I’ ve always said the UK is a great place to train. But that is simply because it can be challenging. Starting somewhere warmer can allow the experience to be less stressful for everyone involved, often allowing kids to experience more and make this introduction a more positive experience. Before embarking on snorkel trips around Devon and Pembrokeshire, we kicked things off in Egypt and Malta. By then they understood how great it can
be and were willing to put up with all the extras that come with British snorkelling for the chance to get in the sea at home.
I’ ve always praised snorkelling as the most accessible form of diving. Which is why I could put a two-year-old in a mask in Egypt. I’ ve hailed snorkelling as the gateway activity to scuba, and that has proven to be true with our eldest desperate to continue his journey in 2026. Which will, I admit, result in me being poorer, but much happier. �
For more information on snorkelling with BSAC go to bsac. com / snorkelling Looking to introduce snokelling into your club? Find out more at bsac. com / snorkellinginstructor
The world’ s greatest playground
Progressing to duck diving
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