Words and Pictures by Delwyn Dickey   

Kayaking             Snorkelling        Diving

Part one - Kayaking

Part  one - Kayaking is on the pervious page. This is an informative article about kayaking for children.  If kayaking is something you would like to do with your family then this is a must read article.

To read more click here >>>

Snorkelling

The attraction of snorkelling for kids of all ages is to enter a different world, to meet the locals  who live there, and to be able to stay for longer than a single breath.

The amazing adventure of snorkelling requires very little in the way of equipment and can lead to a lifelong appreciation of water sports, the marine environment, and the ecosystems we venture into when we swim, dive or sail at beaches, lakes and rivers.

Equipment
There are three essential bits of equipment for snorkelling – a mask, a snorkel and fins.

These all need to fit properly so it is better to go to a dive shop where you’re able to pick and choose sizes rather than a general purpose sporting shop where they may only have pre-packaged sets, and also to get specialist advice. In a dive shop it’s also fun to see what’s on offer for the next step up in underwater exploration – diving equipment. To pick up a reasonable mask, snorkel and fins for kids, will cost around $50.

Masks
The mask has to fit properly and have a perfect seal so no water can get in. This means trying it on first (every face is a different shape). If the mask stays on your face when you bend forward and are breathing in through your nose then it’s a good fit. The glass in the mask also needs to be tempered glass and some masks can fit prescription lenses. Don’t use swimming goggles.

Snorkels
The snorkel enables the swimmer to keep their face in the water when they breathe. Children need narrower snorkels than adults, smaller mouthpieces that are comfortable, and which ideally have a purge valve. The purge valve is located down by the mouthpiece and means that the child doesn’t have to push the water out the full length of the snorkel using lungpower, but just through the valve, which then seals again once the water is out.

Fins/flippers
Fins are used for fun and for safety when snorkelling. They give extra power for covering distances and for diving down for 'up close and personal' exploring, but they will also help keep kids out of trouble should there be a current or tide running.

There are full-foot fins, which are mostly used for snorkelling, and open-heel fins, which have adjustable straps and are mostly used, with wetsuit “booties” for scuba diving.

While open heel fins and booties are much more expensive, being able to walk in the booties across rocks to get to the water, and then putting on the fins once you get there, can be a real advantage. Fins for surfing and body boarding aren’t suitable.

Wet Suits
While not essential, wet suits certainly help keep children and adults warmer in the water. They also make you more buoyant. Children lose body heat faster than adults as they have less body mass, so it’s a good idea to invest in a wet suit if they decide they like snorkelling. They’ll be able to stay in longer and will find the whole experience much more enjoyable. This does add to the cost, though, as they need to have a well-fitting suit for it to be effective– not a 'grow into' item – and will probably need a new one each year.

Training and Water Safety
Advice from well-informed dive staff will certainly help, and there is also a programme developed by the New Zealand Underwater Association, in conjunction with Water Safety New Zealand, called Mini Dippers. Accredited instructors run these snorkelling classes through many schools, Cubs and Brownies and some dive shops. For instructors near you, contact the Mini Dippers Team on (09) 623 3252 or email minidippers@nzunderwater.org.nz

Where To Go
Virtually any beach or even the pool is great fun, but there are some really lovely and exciting places to snorkel. Marine reserves like the one at Goat Island – one hour north of Auckland at Leigh – have a huge variety of marine life that is easy to see within a short snorkel off the beach, and also at offshore island groups. The Poor Knight Islands, off the coast at Tutukaka (Whangarei), are a fantastic place to both snorkel and dive as they are within a warm water current that flows down the North Island, just off the east coast. This current enables semi-tropical marine life to flourish in waters somewhat warmer than closer to the main land.
 

Diving
The next step up from snorkelling is diving, and for this you need specialist equipment and specialist training. It is not a cheap sport compared to snorkelling but it opens up a spectacular world that most will never see. We are also fortunate to have some top, world ranking dive spots on our doorstep. Once you have completed a course and attained a Dive Ticket, you will be able to hire gear and dive anywhere in the world.

Some dive shops like Goat Island Dive (close to popular Goat Island Marine Reserve) have close associations with the local colleges and regularly take interested youngsters for a one on one $15 lesson in the school pool to let them try out the gear and breathe through a regulator while in the water. Youngsters often sign up for a proper course after this try-out. This sees the shop selling more gear to juniors than to adults, as parents are more likely to pay for courses and gear as birthday and Christmas presents. Around one in five students through Goat Island Dive training courses are under 16 years. Parents and kids training at the same time is another common scenario.

Junior Divers Course
Youngsters from 10 to 15 years are able to do a four-day Junior Diver Course which will see them learn all they need to know about how to use and maintain their gear, the underwater environment and how to keep themselves and their buddy safe. (Diving should only be done in pairs.) They are taught the same skills as adult students but because of their age are not allowed to dive below 12 metres and must only dive with an Open Water certified diver. Once they turn 16 they can