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maybe a river snorkel in June should be on the list , assuming you can find clean water . Think about tying in other sports you love or would love to try , perhaps sea kayaking , wild camping , hill walking or stand-up paddleboarding . They all offer suitable transportation to get you to an old favourite or brand-new snorkel-site .
You can also consider the ‘ when ’ factor . That woodland river snorkel may be most beautiful in autumn , a snorkel off West Wales might be saved for summer when the basking sharks pass through and your chances of encountering a leatherback turtle are , although extremely unlikely , at least a possibility . That ice cold lake you are avoiding in winter might be perfect in Spring as the waters warm , but before the algal bloom of summer arrives . The landscape and wildlife , both above and below the waters change through the years .
Once you have created your bucket list , you need to consider if you are up to the task . If the answer is no that ’ s no reason to turn away from the challenge but motivation to work at improving those areas that need the work . Like diving , we should not assume we can start at the same level as we left off after a winter of snorkel-hibernation . So , planning a gentle shakedown exercise in the spring is always sensible . You need to find out where you are to work out how far you need to go , and how to get there .
But it is not just ourselves that need at least a once-over to check their operability . Your equipment may also have sat dormant for a few months . Hopefully you stored everything wisely in safe , dry locations rather than in some leaky shed , bedecked in icicles , and crushed into a bag still wet from that final autumn snorkel . Use the first snorkel to make doubly sure everything works , but check it before you go . Let ’ s try and not waste the first snorkel of 2025 .
Plans change . The weather , our schedule , that of our buddies are all effected by factors beyond our control . Even a cold can cancel out dive plans . However , I have always found it productive to have a plan . It ensures we are in good order , both ourselves and our kit , to make the most of our time even if the exact details of our schemes shift . Not for nothing has the unofficial motto of BSAC been ‘ Plan the dive , dive the plan ’. �
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PHOTO : DAN BOLT
Contemplating the next step in Torbay
Get those leg muscles working on a duck dive
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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 |
PHOTO : DAAN VERHOEVEN |
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