On the Severn with friend Raz
TORBET ON THE TUBE
The snorkel-stroller
The UK public rediscovered the value of a good walk over lockdown , so why not combine a gentle hike with a snorkel , asks Andy Torbet
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’ ve always equated snorkelling with walking , or more accurately , trekking . It ’ s non-technical , uses minimal kit and at a physical and mental level is a form of gentle exercise . Simply , it gets you into the great outdoors to appreciate the wildlife and landscapes . Since the two are analogous , the next step is obviously to combine them – hiking and snorkelling must be natural bedfellows . All the same , mixing these surface and sub-surface saunters does come with a few considerations .
Compared to all other forms of diving , snorkelling is the most lightweight , a welcome attribute when you ’ ve got to carry your own gear . That said , consider not just the distance but the terrain across which you ’ ll have to carry your kit . A 10-mile round trip along a level , well-trodden path might prove easier than a two-miler up and down a pathless , steep , boggy hillside .
It could be you have a specific site in mind , but it will take a few shorter trips to build up to it . I recommend making use of a rucksack rather than the net sacks we often use to stow our mask , fins and snorkel . It will also make the terrestrial phase of the day more comfortable .
When it comes to weight you must consider what equipment to pack in your sack . Do you really need a weight belt ? If so , because you ’ ve a specific underwater goal
At Red Tarn
PHOTO : DAN BOLT
Andy under the Dart
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