snorkeling equipment

[BrianM]

Hi,
I want to get back into snorkeling. I did it years ago and want to start
again.
What equipment should I get and how much will it cost me to get kitted
out?
I plan to do snorkeling in Sydney Harbour and the coast around Sydney
and the south coast.
Thanks for any suggestions,
Jason

Hi Jason
just to add to the other suggestions, consider getting a weight belt
(without the weights) just the wide strap model with a quick-release
buckle and slide onto it a couple of looped pouches - one could be for
a camera,another for safety gear and a knife.
On mine I have a knife, 2mm zipped pouch containing a safety sausage, whistle,
torniquette, and a small inner pocket that holds keys, licence etc.
Underwater camera bag has a full width loop and sits around the front - very
convenient if you're in the water for some time. I didn't like the bright
shiny quick-release buckle on my belt so I gave it a couple of coats of grey
etch primer.
Another useful piece of gear is a pair of 2-3mm neophrene booties, also
known as fin socks - as well as keeping sand out of your fins (read sandpaper)
they protect your feet when walking over rocks or gravel entries & exits.

happy snorkeling

Brian
Akaroa
home of the great white

[Mark Schmidt]

Hello again

I own a 5mm wrist-to-ankle, a 5mm short arm-long-leg and a 5mm
short-arm-short-leg (sort of thing you'd expect to ride a boogie-board). On
the dive off Harbord I wore my short-arm-to-ankle and was cold in scuba
below 7metres. Its a bit different for you as a snorkeller because the more
neoprene you wear, the less chance you have of freediving and secondly, your
time is dictated by what you want to see, not tank-air-time. I'd select a
short-arm-short-leg as a cheap option ($80 typically) and find out from
there.

Whatever you do, do it well and enjoy yourself.

Mark

Hi Mark,
Thanks so much for your words of wisdom. I'll give it a go.
One more thing I was thinking of getting is a wet suite. Would a board
wet suite be good enough?
Jason

Post by BrianM
Hi Jason

its

Post by BrianM
autumn already. Personally I'd keep it cheap. For low-level stuff you
could be happy with a $25 mask/snorkel kit, which might not suit scuba
people but be quite enough for snorkelling. If I were you I'd use

boot-fins

Post by BrianM
rather than strap fins because its one thing less to carry and wash,
although that means you get to walk across rocks in bare feet for entry

and

Post by BrianM
exit. Try going off the public baths at Harbord or Shelly Beach near
Manly...both easy entries, reasonable shallow and definitely something

to

Post by BrianM
see.
Places like Rebel Sport have basic kits available: remember the

technique

Post by BrianM
for checking if a mask fits you...should stay fixed to your face with
minimal inhale without using the strap.
Best of luck
Mark

Hi,
I want to get back into snorkeling. I did it years ago and want to start
again.
What equipment should I get and how much will it cost me to get kitted

out?

I plan to do snorkeling in Sydney Harbour and the coast around Sydney
and the south coast.
Thanks for any suggestions,
Jason

[Jason Lewis]

Hi Mark,

Post by Mark Schmidt
Hello again
I own a 5mm wrist-to-ankle, a 5mm short arm-long-leg and a 5mm
short-arm-short-leg (sort of thing you'd expect to ride a boogie-board). On
the dive off Harbord I wore my short-arm-to-ankle and was cold in scuba
below 7metres. Its a bit different for you as a snorkeller because the more
neoprene you wear, the less chance you have of freediving and secondly, your
time is dictated by what you want to see, not tank-air-time. I'd select a
short-arm-short-leg as a cheap option ($80 typically) and find out from
there.

Yes, I think I'll try that. Just something to take the chill off. I know
it gets much colder once you start going deep with scuba gear, but as
you say, that won't really be a problem with me.

Post by Mark Schmidt
Whatever you do, do it well and enjoy yourself.

good advice, i will :)

Thanks again for your advice.

Jason