How prescription mask lenses make snorkelling more enjoyable

March 3rd, 2010 by admin No comments »

BlurryVisionThe biggest draws for any snorkel holiday are of course the majesties that await you beneath the ocean blue. The vibrant colours of the fish, the extensive growths of coral reefs, the other animated sea life, and hulking giant turtles; yes, there are no shortage of natural wonders to be seen. Yet if your eyesight isn’t exactly blessed as being perfect, without a prescription snorkelling mask you could be robbed of one of the most wondrous experiences of your life. 

The premise of a prescription snorkelling mask really isn’t anything much different than the very same kind of lenses you would find in one of your regular pair of glasses. What you are able to do is take the same prescription and then when you are all set and ready to order your snorkel kit you pass that information along and the rest is all done for you and shipped out as a regular order.  Because there are so many people that need a little boost from the help of an optician a large number of masks are able to be adapted for your specific needs. You then aren’t going to be limited in the makes, designs, or colour choices by any means; you won’t have to worry about being stuck with a ‘nerdy’ pair reminiscent of your school days when the kids may have called you ‘four eyes’.  Prescription snorkel masks look no different outwardly and no one would ever even know if you didn’t say anything.

From there, you then would make sure that your mask fits and is adjusted in accordance with the same standards anyone else would use. You want one that is snug enough so that it is adequate at sealing around your face and preventing any water leakage, but at the same time you don’t want something that is so tight you will be left with a headache. A great way to test the seal of your goggles is to take the mask, without putting the strap on your head, and suck in through your nose until you feel the suction, if it sticks it fits! If the mask stays put and is comfortable for you to wear, you’ve picked a winner.

Mother Nature may not have blessed you with 20/20 vision, but thankfully we live in modern times that are able to make up for any such oversights. So no matter if you are young or aged, near-sighted, far-sighted, or have just plain crummy vision you no longer have to miss out on all of the sea creatures that fill the snorkel masks of your friends and other family members. After all, a snorkel dive without the proper kind of goggles to ensure that you can actually see is kind of like trying to run a marathon in a pair of slippers.

Underwater Hockey – Octopush

February 17th, 2010 by admin No comments »

UnderwaterHockeyLooking for a great way to get in shape, share the camaraderie of a team, and even get some of those competitive juices flowing all with your snorkel mask and flippers in tow?  Well then you may just want to take to the pool and enjoy a rousing game of underwater hockey! Yes, you heard correctly, but if you are stuck doing a double take and wondering just what the low down is on this underwater hockey you need not wonder any longer. 

This highly aerobic endeavour down under the water will combine not only timing, breathing, endurance, and skill but most of all fun. The British Octopush Associate is encouraging swimmers of all ages to get their snorkel masks and get to playing; there are junior squads, women’s teams, and adult leagues broken up into proper age brackets. This is an excellent opportunity to get fit while having a blast at the same time no matter how young or old you are or your skill level. The biggest aspect is to just have fun and get into the game.

Underwater activities are perhaps some of the best ways to increase your aerobic fitness without ever risking an injury. This is due to the fact that there isn’t any gravity that will be taking a toll on your joints and muscles; meaning you won’t be feeling as tired and achy should you have been playing a few rounds of regular street or ice hockey; and hopefully you won’t be risking a lost front tooth either! The only requirements you need to get set to play is of course a swimming suite, a snorkelling mask, flippers, snorkel, and an excited spirit. 

While games and practices are open to everyone of every level, should you be bitten by the underwater hockey bug and want to kick it up a notch the British Octopush Association brings that chance to you with a series of tournaments, culminating in the BOA UK National Championships.  The series runs between April and June annually and is split up into quarter and semis before the actual finals for both ladies’ and open divisions. Should you and your team come out on top in the whole UK you can then test your goal scoring skills in the Home Internations that bring in players from not only England but Wales and Scotland too; you can represent your country in the open, women’s, elite, masters, or under 19 sections.

This burgeoning new sport is an excellent way to inspire youth to not only get fit and active, but to hook up with their peers and be a part of a team. Learning to work together and strive for a shared goal is an intrinsic aspect of team work that has been shown to set them up for success in virtually any field later in life. Should you be a parent and looking to start a team in your area or want to become a coach, the BOA further extends to you coaching certification classes. So don’t let the thrills of this underwater sport pass you up any longer, grab your snorkel mask, flippers, and a bit of competitive flair, and suit up for the pool!

Take the plunge with Nemo and his friends

January 30th, 2010 by admin No comments »

TheSeasWithNemoYour next trip through Epcot may come complete with a visit from Nemo, Dori, and a few sea creatures that are not of the cartoon nature. That’s right, you can ditch that snorkel and mask but still get an expansive underwater view of all the majesties of the ocean; leave it to Disney to bring it to you in the form of a fun ride!

This latest edition to the Living Seas theme park will take eager and starry eyed children, along with parents who have reported just as much amazement as to the spectacle, on a trip through the depths of the blue to gaze at the turtles and vibrant fish inside of an aquarium that holds six million gallons of salt water.

But because Nemo and his friends are ever present, among those 65 species of sea creatures you will find those cartoon characters also on hand as one female visitor cited, “The Nemo characters superimposed with real fish is a nice touch as are the clam cars. The aquarium you enter after the ride is well worth a visit with a great variety of sea life”. What she is referring to is the subsequent area that further includes even more dolphins, sharks, and eagle rays.

What is remarkable is just how crystal clear all of the sights are because there are no currents to disrupt a view. The ride itself is just the opening and along the way you will find other acts that are set among the aquarium at the end such as Turtle Talk, “Turtle Talk and the exhibits are excellent,” said Joshua Counsil.

And because this is a ride after all, there is a story line that parallels the Finding Nemo feature film, “The Nemo sets are really nice and they cover the story really well. My favourite part is when the vehicle is going through the EAC and then, unlike Disneyland sub’s, the projected Nemo images ‘swim’ with other fish in the tanks”.

And while it is noted that the kids love it, there is some concern that due to the darkened atmosphere some of the smallest once may get a bit frightened. “Consider that it is really dark at times when taking young children on it” noted one mother Amy Tupper.

Yet it appears that overall this latest attraction is a hit among the crowds looking to opt for an underwater venture sans snorkel or fins and also not interested in the faster roller coaster rides also offered in other areas of the park. If this sounds right up your alley and that of the rest of the family, it is just one more reason to head to the magical world of Disney!

Snorkelling the Maldives

January 25th, 2010 by admin No comments »

MaldivesFor any avid or recreational snorkeller, taking a plunge beneath the surface of the water is all the more thrilling should you be doing so in the pristine waters of the Maldives. This region surrounding the chain of islands that were created from underwater volcanoes is one of the hottest holiday destinations world wide. In fact the economy of these islands revolves around their tourism, and for good reason. Waiting to be discovered are acres upon acres of coral reefs in every conceivable formation and in a variety of colours. What’s even more delightful are the vibrant fish darting between these reefs, the sea anemones waving their slender tentacles, and even a few sea turtles are sure to make your experience unforgettable.

So once you have strapped on your snorkel and snorkelling mask its time to take the plunge into the blue and get set for the holiday of a lifetime. There are plenty of destinations of choice but no matter where you take your snorkel kit to you will want to keep in mind what time of the year it is in order to get the best possible experience. Should you be travelling between November and January that will be the North East Monsoon season and will be accompanied by plenty of sun and calmer waters in the mid and northern atolls. This makes for prime time for snorkelling due to crystal clear viability underwater among the eastward atolls as well as warmer ocean waters. At the same time you may want to avoid the southern atolls for the fact that there will be blustery winds and plenty of downpours that could put a damper on your trip.

During the North East Monsoon Season you will be treated to an array of sea creatures to spot such as whale sharks on the westward side and manta rays gliding through the waters with ease. There will also be dogfish tuna, sweetlips, octopi, and even butterfly fish. You will want to stick to areas closest to the coral reefs as they boast the most bountiful critters and you may even find yourself exploring a cave or cliff as well. Should you head out to one of the lagoons you could be met with a pelagic or two, or in deeper waters you could find company in some eels or perhaps even a friendly shark. No matter where your snorkel and fins take you, when you are among the blue waters of the Maldives you are no doubt in for a special treat!

Snorkelling with Whales

January 14th, 2010 by admin No comments »
Humpback whale

Humpback whale

While it is always a treat to strap on that snorkel and slip into your fins to explore all the majesties under the water’s surface, should you be in the company of whales the experience could be something made of dreams. These large mammals have often captivated the imaginations of human kind for generations, as they made their way into folk lore across the Globe, and today you will still find plenty who go off in search of a glimpse of these fine creatures. Whales are generally perceived as friendly and inviting sea animals, but at the same time you need to respect that they are still in fact are wild creatures and some may be less happy about being provoked even by the kindest of snorkellers. So if you are itching to go snorkelling among the whales what do you need to know and where can you head off to for such a treat?

 Some of the most genial whales to snorkel amidst are whale sharks and humpback whales. While these humpback whales may grow to be huge at 45 feet long and weight upwards of 50 tons they are gentle giants and in fact highly intelligent and posses a certain grace under the water. They migrate in predictable patterns and because of this there are a few hot spots, it’s easy to suit up in your snorkel kit and dive right in with them. One such place is in Tonga where there are hosted outings to swim next to these humpback whales and you may even find yourself next to a dolphin friend or two. Tonga is perhaps the most popular site as with the warmer ocean waters and array of other glorious snorkelling sights, such as the Swallows Cave or the Mariners Cave, you will have many other ways to spend your time. In order to spy these whales you will want to be there between the 15 weeks of their migration occurring from the beginning of July until the end of October.

 If you are hoping to spot a whale shark from behind your snorkelling mask you can go to a few differing amazing locales such as the Philippine Islands, Holbox Island near Cozumel, and the Sea of Cortez in the Gulf of California. Each destination will provide a different experience and for a relaxing holiday you will find all places will suffice; yet one of the most popular for tourists is the Philippines. For a more secluded holiday you will find that around the Sea of Cortez you can get a little more privacy and have smaller groups on your excursion. However no matter where you choose to venture to in search of a snorkelling trip with the whales you will be met with some gargantuan friends.

Will Your Snorkelling Holiday Be Dampened By the BA Strike?

December 21st, 2009 by admin No comments »

British Airways LineupIf your holiday plans include taking off to a remote location to soak up some sun and snorkel in the great blue sea, you could be left grounded if you are booked with a British Airlines ticket. Certainly by now you have been informed of the impending crew strike that will effect a vast majority of British Airlines’ flights, and if you had been hoping to escape for a snorkelling holiday any time between 22nd December and 2nd January you may be left wondering just what to do. What’s worse is that there have been conflicting advice between sources, media outlets, and the airlines themselves.

The fact of the matter is that with so many of the crew on strike it is more likely than not that your flight is going to be either grounded or significantly delayed. In response to what ticket holders eager to jet set their way to the holiday of their dreams should do, British Airways asks you to bear with them as they try to stick to some semblance of a schedule.

The airlines hopes that not all of their flights will be cancelled, and if you’re booked for a shorter flight, the odds it may take off are better. However nothing is certain at this time, and if you are afraid to wait it out and hope you will be able to spend your holiday snorkelling you may be tempted to cancel your flight now and then look to find one on a competing airline while there is still room.

British Airlines has already promised ticket holders that should they choose to cancel their flights before, they will be entitled to rescheduling one at a later date any time within the next 12 months free of charge. This means you may be able to get a credit but not necessarily your money back.  Should you instead wait until the day of your flight, British Airlines promises to contact you via email or SMS text message should yours be grounded. You would then be offered a refund, a flight booked at a later date free of charge, or hopefully a flight on a competing airline.

British Airlines stated that they are hoping to work with their competitors to keep as many passengers on their itineraries as possible; however there are only so many seats to go around.

In regards to what you should do to ensure that your snorkelling holiday goes off without a hitch, it’s up to you, the kind of tickets you have already booked, and how comfortable you are with uncertainty. Cancelling now and finding another flight may leave you with a credit you wouldn’t want to use and you then wouldn’t necessarily be getting your money back. Further, unless you had a more flexible ticket in order to avoid added fees when you then adjust your flight dates in the future you would need to call British Airlines over the phone directly, not book on-line.

If you feel lucky you may want to go ahead as planned and hope your flight makes it off the ground or are able to be moved to another airline. At this time you will want to remain on top of the latest news regarding the situation and make sure that British Airlines has your correct email, phone number, and contact information.

Sara Campbell Takes Home Silver for the AIDA World Championships but She’s Not Disappointed

December 15th, 2009 by admin No comments »

Sarah CampbelThe day may have belonged to gold medallist Natalia Molchanova, but for Sara Campbell of Britain silver felt quite sweet. “My strategy was to do something I can do on any day, and my training recently paid off in that 92m is a comfortable dive for me,” she stated after her second place finish.  Comfortably diving to the depths of 92m in the AIDA world championships that took place in the Bahamas she was narrowly bested by Molchanova’s 97m distance. This was for the constant weight event which divers are only allowed a single breath in their charge below the ocean’s surface.

Being edged by her Russian rival may feel a bit reminiscent to Campbell as just this past September she had her world record beaten by Molchanava. In reaching a depth of 101m Molchanava shattered the previous mark of 96m, and she still surpassed that distance to claim gold for the AIDA championships. In fact Campbell had expected the Russian to go further and had then tried to factor that into her strategy going in, “I was surprised Natalia didn’t try to go deeper – I was hoping she would over-stretch herself.”

Being that each freediver is held to the distance they report upon entering the competition, should they fail to reach at least that mark they are thereby out of contention. It seems that both women were playing it safe, choosing to go for the gold medal instead of a world record.

Still Campbell can’t feel too bad about her showing as the 92m she reached here is not far off of her personal best of 96m. With continued training she will no doubt keep working to narrow the gap between herself and her competitor.

Natalia’s tour for the championships wasn’t done yet, as she later went on to claim a second gold in the constant weight with no fins event. Her impressive 62m was yet another world record, beating the mark of 60m she had set herself. On the men’s side, it was Herbert Nitsch of Austria who won the title for the men’s constant weight event. However it seemed to be a day for records as New Zealand’s William Trubridge bested his previous world record to claim the gold medal in the men’s constant weight no fins division with his 90m depth.

With the close of the 2009 AIDA world championships both the winners and Sara Campbell will keep aiming to surpass these marks and further test the limits of their physical abilities.

Great Barrier Reef – Snorkellers Paradise

December 9th, 2009 by admin No comments »

Great Barrier ReefPerhaps one of the most famous and favourite destinations for snorkellers world wide is the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Australia. There are the immense coral formations as far as the eye can see and a host of stunning and exotic sea life. The coral reefs and dive sites fall along multiple islands, each a bit distinct in its offering and all just as thrilling. With coral cays and coral gardens, you will not be spoilt for choice when on your dream snorkelling holiday. So slip into your snorkelling fins, strap on your snorkelling mask and adjust your snorkel for you are about to witness something truly breathtaking!

When you are travelling to the Great Barrier Reef you will benefit from booking a trip in advance as you can save up to 40 percent off the cost, and you will then want to decide just what kind of adventure you are looking for. There are day trips that you cat hop aboard and set off from many of the islands. A few of the favourites are from Capt Tribulation, Cairnes, Gladstone, and Airlie Beach.  Each one will be a bit unique but they all will generally leave early in the morning, allow you to spend the better part of the day exploring under water, and then return later that evening.

There are plenty of different guided tours to take advantage of with Ocean Free that operates out of Cairns and will show you the splendours of Green Island, there is New Horizon Sail and Dive that limits their groups to numbers of ten so as to ensure that you get not only plenty of attention but a more personal snorkelling experience.

TurtleThere is Great Barrier Reef Liveaboards that will take you to all the most coveted coral reef locales all atop a most luxurious boat. When you are heading to a place so noted for it’s intrinsic beauty under the sea you can be sure that you will not be left without an array of options!

When you are getting ready to head out to your snorkelling paradise you will want to make sure to get all of your snorkelling gear together and packed before as it can be a bit of an ordeal should you choose to rent of buy when already there. Being that the Great Barrier Reef draws so many eager snorkellers it is best to dodge the crowded shops on site! Once there you can be care free and ready to take the plunge into the blue and swim among the giant sea turtles, flurry of fish, and perhaps even poke a sea anemone or two!

How To Have Snorkelling Fun Without Ruining The Coral

November 20th, 2009 by admin No comments »

Coral ReefsWhile those vibrant coral reefs may be stunning to look at and behold with the eyes, you should do well to adhere to the old adage, “look but don’t touch.” Sadly, the damage inflicted to these beautiful and natural works of art are startling when you learn that over 35 million acres of these coral reefs have been damaged or destroyed by the hands of touchy feely scuba divers. In fact, while coral reefs are being protected by select nations worldwide, these efforts have not been enough to curtail the fast destruction of the coral reefs.

Already being fragile by nature, coral reefs are home to an array of different sea life. Among their crevices and growths you can find many fish, sea anemones, and other crustaceans who have made their homes there. But the coral is a living entity itself, and while just like any other life form it grows over time, but the rate at which it does so is quite slow. In fact, it takes hundreds and thousands of years for the coral reefs to create the intricate networks we see today. Each year a coral reef may only add a mere 5 millimetres to itself, and that can be quickly ruined by a human hand or accidental kick.

Coral reefs are most notably being destroyed by snorkellers looking to take home a bit of the splendours of the ocean with them, unknowing boaters who break the reefs when setting down their anchors, and by those who accidentally may tread on or kick them. Along with these threats, there is also pollution with harsh chemicals, fertilizers, sewage, and toxic wastes that when dumped into the sea kill the coral reefs along with the other sea life.

So what can we environmentally snorkellers and scuba divers do to preserve what precious coral reefs we still have today? Well the simply answer is to not touch the reefs and be careful not to get too close and accidentally kick their formations. But along with this, if your are boating be certain that you aren’t dropping your anchor onto the precious coral below. Further, there are plenty of organisations and causes you can support to help protect this sea life. The Reef Environmental Education Foundation is one of these, and they sponsor plenty of volunteer opportunities to restore this coral reef formations. So next time you are taking a dive, stay off the coral!