Newbie needs help advice please

[Chris jauncey]

Please forgive me if this is posted in the the wrong place, but it is the only forum I can find where I am hoping to get some help and advice.
I have recently returned from a trip to greece, where after many years of plucking up courage I bought a snorkel and mask from a beach shop, ( I can already feel more experienced members here cringing) and with a good deal of caution and a bit of common sense I took to the water, after about half an hour I finally started to get confident, and used to what I was trying to achieve and "WOW" I saw my first shoal of fish, and yes managed to follow them for a short while, I was lost for words,I couldn't believe my eyes, it's wonderful, I really wish i had discovered this sport a long time ago, well at the age of 46 loads of time left!!, sorry if this is a bit long, the questions I would like to ask and hopefully someone can answer is:

1. I obviously need better quality equipment which is safe etc, where can I go where I wont get ripped off? and do I need fins?.

2, Is there anywhere I can go to get some training so I can be safer, and learn how to improve myself.
would be very grateful for any advice offered, cant wait to get back in the sea next year :O)

[Bob Healey]

Hi Chris, if you ring me I will be pleased to advise you. The number is 0161 292 6243. Bob Healey

[Carol Reid]

Hi,
Obviously, to be given Bob's number to phone is an excellent way of getting straight to the information required, but I think Bob could have given a more informative answer for the benefit of lurkers on this site.
I would have said that Chris should look on the Snorkelling site for his nearest BSAC Club and phone the contact member there. And he could have looked at various BSAC snorkelling sites to get an idea of what was involved.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. I obviously need better quality equipment which is safe etc, where can I go where I wont get ripped off? and do I need fins?.

Answer to Q1. Look on the Internet for Diving/snorkelling gear to get an idea of prices - I've found that Simply Scuba is excellent and gives good advice. You need to try a mask on but most towns will have a shop selling dive gear. Expect to pay >?25 for a mask - the most critical piece of equipment. You certainly need fins but if intending to snorkel abroad pool fins *may* suffice or else get bootees and strap fins. Expect to pay >?40 for these fins (unless you can track down second hand!) Start off with a J-tube snorkel to ascertain whether you have enough puff to clear the tube and then move onto one of the more sophisticated valve snorkels.

2, Is there anywhere I can go to get some training so I can be safer, and learn how to improve myself.
would be very grateful for any advice offered, cant wait to get back in the sea next year :O)

Answer to Q2 It is absolutely vital that you get good training to improve your enjoyment of the sport. Join a BSAC snorkelling Club!!!!
Hey.... who says you have to wait for next year?
My pics here show my 13yo trainees in Loch Fyne in September!
Hope this helps other potential snorkellers.
And I'm sure Bob would agree with me on all points.
Cheers
Carol

[Chris jauncey]

Many Thanks Bob for the helpful Phone call and e-mails, I am now fixed up with a snorkelling group in my area, and had my first Instruction last Monday........

And thanks Carol for the advice on equipment :O)

I would Highly recommend any Potential snorkellers out there who are thinking about getting instruction/training to go ahead and do it, I am glad I did!, and guess what?, nobody bites :O)
Cheers
Chris. J

[Lookup]

Dear Newbie O,

Goggles:
Soft silicone which fits snugly without too much strap tension.
Glass with correction factor if you wear glasses
Snorkel- simple pipe( forget the snazzy ball and sockets)
Flippers: too hard and you get pain in joints, too soft and you dont go anywhere
Technique: relax and breathe evenly, practice diving like a whale then blowing when you come up.Go snorkeling with others along the reef
Location:
There is nothing like the Bahamas - crystal clear water, warm enough to swim all day where you see everything from grunts to dolphin. Watch out for sunburn so wear a T shirt in the water and suncream on the back of the legs.