Aqua-rambling on the Dart
PHOTO : DAN BOLT in mind like seeing the Mosquito aircraft in Red Tarn at around 5-6 metres , do you take a thinner wetsuit ? The reduced neoprene will require less weight to compensate for its buoyancy , but it will be colder . It ’ s a game of compromise .
Of course , you could choose a site best suited to non-weighted snorkellers , which removes the need for a belt altogether . Duck-diving is , after all , not compulsory . The shallow edges of lakes and many rivers lend themselves well to surface-specific snorkels . A few years ago , myself and
“ Maybe snorkel and walk a section of river with an overnight camping spot on the bank " friends snorkelled 20 miles of the River Severn and then about the same on the River Dart . We never had a weight belt between us .
When it comes to choosing your site , the big advantage of access-by-hiking is its ability to open up places no one else can reach ( other than perhaps by helicopter ) which means you may often be the first to dive there . Mountain lakes , pools tucked deep inside heavily wooded gorges , stretches of river far from roads or parts of the shoreline near coastal paths are all open to the snorkelrambler . If you ’ re feeling particularly fit and adventurous , you could even pack some camping gear . Maybe snorkel and walk a section of river with an overnight camping spot on the bank . Now is the time to make your plans .
As divers we are aware of the impact of weather . But rain and winds that may not trouble us in the water can make the rest of the day a chilly chore . Consider stowing your clothes in reliable dry bags when you stash them on shore . So even if it rains when you ’ re out snorkelling , you can start the return walk nice and dry .
Walking , like snorkelling , brings all the benefits of gentle , low intensity exercise . However , unlike a snorkel , which seldom last for more than an hour , we can maintain a walk all day . Combine the two and you ’ ve got a way of exercising longer , seeing more and spending more time in , and under , the UK ’ s landscape . �
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
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