Is snorkeling a sporting discipline or pampering?

Snorkeling – sport discipline or dabbling?

Choosing between snorkeling and diving.

There are many ways to explore the underwater world. Some choose to dive and go deep. And someone likes to study the local fauna and swims on the surface of the water with a snorkel. This activity is called snorkeling.

At first glance it may seem that snorkeling and diving – two twin brothers. After all, they have a lot in common.

But in fact, it’s not like that at all.

SDI diving instructor

Answers our questions about snorkeling.

Can snorkeling be called a sport discipline?

It certainly does not claim to be a “serious sport”. It’s hard to imagine any achievements. It’s more about “watching fish”.

What do you need for snorkeling?

You need a mask, snorkel and fins. Since we are not talking about “serious” sport, we will talk about comfort. There is quality equipment, and there are different meaningless – “no-name”.

By the way, you will not need any licenses for snorkeling.

Do I need to know how to swim?

The ability to swim is welcome in all water sports. It is about safety and adequate actions in an emergency situation.

If a person does not know how to swim, he should not be in the water alone and without a vest. A neoprene wetsuit, however, keeps one on the water.

Can snorkeling help with preparation for other sports?

Absolutely. It’s a great way to psychologically adjust to the interaction with water, especially if there is uncertainty. To get used to the mask, to breathing with your mouth (in diving it’s like that).

In snorkeling, you can do shallow dives with breath-holding. This can be the basis for further freediving – diving to greater depths.

What you need to know:

• you must be a confident swimmer;
• keep your breathing calm;
• keep your snorkel clear of water;
• don’t scare or touch fish – especially if you can’t tell the difference between an electric stingray and a parrot fish;
• don’t touch the corals – they are very fragile and have been seriously damaged in recent years without tourists;
• do not touch jellyfish or step on sea urchins – it is dangerous.

Important! Any dive – be it harmless snorkeling or deep-sea diving – is dangerous if you do not know the basic rules of scuba diving.