Snorkelling Kit

[jnicholls]

Hi

I need to buy snorkel and mask but don't know enough about it to know what to buy.

We usually buy the cheap kits on the beach side and end up throwing them away.

We are off snorkelling about twice a year abroad, (doing Spain and Egypt this year) and need descent kit this time.

Can anyone recommend what to get or where to get it, as there seems to be a lack of shops in Bath that sell kit.

Don't mind if online site as long as the kit is descent and will last.

Thanks

Janie

[Roz]

Hello there

I know that we've discussed this in the past. Do a search on "kit", "equipment" or "snorkelling kit" etc, and see what comes up. In the meantime, I hope the following is helpful to you.

Whatever you want to do in the water, basic equipment = Mask, Fins and Snorkel.

Whether you are diving or snorkelling, one way to get into the water is to walk down to the waters edge. You won't always be jumping in straight from a boat, so I would suggest that you get yourself a decent pair of diving boots. These are hard soled boots, so ideal for trogging around resort in, and invaluable when shore diving. You'll soon find that some of the areas you want to snorkel or dive are from are rocky shores, or covered in stones and pebbles or hot sand. Boots are the way to go. I think they cost about £15 ish, and I'd recommend that you go with a zipped pair, rather than a pull on pair.

If you're wearing boots, you'll want boat or shoe fins. ie, something with a foot pocket and a fin strap. There is a plethora of fins on the market. I've got four pairs and none of them are slipper fins. Scubapro, Force Fins, Dacor, Wenoka (I'm a girl, we like buying shoes and fins). If you've got muscular legs, then Mares Plana Avanti or Quattros are both superb fins. If you've not such well developed legs these fins can sometimes give you cramp. Scubapro, Mares, Oceanic, Dacor to name but a few manufacturers all do good fins. Expect to pay about £40. Try on a fin (whilst wearing your boot) and see what it feels like. Wiggle your leg around. Does the foot pocket squeeze/rub the top of your foot? Does your foot slop about in the pocket. The best thing you can do is seek professional advice and go and visit your local friendly dive shop. They will help fit your boots and your fins.

As for a mask, probably the very best one I have dived recently is by Atomic. But you are looking at a Bentley mask here, I think they retail about £90? I am real kit monster though. An average mask should cost you about £40. Try a number on and see what is comfortable for you. That's important. Not what you look like. We all look a little strange in our masks.

It's worth getting a neoprene cover for the strap, called a slap strap. This stops the latex/rubber strap from riding up when you are snorkelling. Also you can sew your telephone number onto the neoprene so that in the unlikely event you drop your mask, someone just might find it and ring you to return it. Expect to pay about £35 - £45 for a mask. If you look after it, a mask will last you years.

As for a snorkel, worth getting one where you can replace the mouthpiece should you bite it through. This can happen. Just replace the mouthpiece. A good one to consider is the SeaCure. Custom Divers sell them. www.customdivers.com 01737 773 000. If you give them a ring, they will tell you where you local dive shop is. This mouthpiece can be moulded to the shape of your mouth, so reduces jaw fatigue.

Go for a snorkel with a draining valve, otherwise you end up with a little bit of water swooshing around in the u bend. Other than that they are much of a muchness really. About £15 I think?

Where would I buy this lot? Well I'd go to a dive centre. Yes you can get it for a few £ off on the internet, but you will get good, honest advice at the dive centre. You can feel it. You can try it on. The staff will make sure it fits you ok and that you are comfortable in the equipment. You cannot get any of these experiences online. And if you do want to learn to dive, then this is the place you'll be going to, to buy airfills etc. Why not start drinking their tea early on. A dive centre near you is http://www.bathdivecentre.co.uk/, or you have Extreme Marine in Bristol http://www.extreme-marine.co.uk/pages/theshop.htm

Finally I'd buy something like a small string bag to carry this all in. From memory I think Beaver do a snorkelling bag. I think that Ralf Tech does a pretty sexy one as well.

Good luck with it all.

[jnicholls]

Thanks I will have a look.

[jnicholls]

It would be good if I could go to a local shop and try kit on, i would feel more confident with the fit then.

Does anyone know where I can get snorkelling kit? in Bristol or Bath, Bath is nearest.

[Roz]

Snorkelling Kit, ie Mask, Fins, Snorkel and Boots is also the basic equipment needed for Scuba Diving.

I would go to any good scuba diving shop to buy your snorkelling equipment.

I have not visited either shop I mentioned, but they should give you professional advice when you are buying snorkelling equipment. They will sell this kind of equipment on a daily basis, and will know what they are talking about. Alternatively type "diving shop" and "Avon" or "Somerset" or "Bath" or "Bristol" into Google and see what comes up.

[jnicholls]

I've found one in Bath and have emailed them to see if they sell kit as well as instruction. Thanks for you help.

janie

[JamesW]

Tesco's sold some kits last year, £9.99 I think we bought a few and used the masks & fins for try dives and had no problems with them.
Good Luck