Vacationing In Maui And Planning To Snorkel? Spend A Few Extra Dollars For A Good Snorkel And Dive Mask. You will be glad you did.

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A good snorkel can do more than make your snorkeling experience, it can save your life. Additionally, you should make a decision as to whether single or twin lens dive masks suit you.
My wife and I had decided to go to Maui and do all the typical touristy things, which would, of course, include snorkeling. I did a little research, Googled “snorkel gear,” and came up with a great online snorkel dealer called seavenger.com.  When I figured out how much money outfitting my wife and me was going to cost, I was very pleasantly surprised. The gear I chose, fins, as well as snorkels, the whole shebang wasn’t going to be more than $75! Of course, our friends on the other hand, chose the cheapest stuff they could find.  As you will see, they were sorry about that.

We did some more research, figured out how to breathe through a mask and snorkel, packed, got on the plane, arrived in Oahu, took another flight to Maui – long story short, we were wading into the water in front of our hotel before dark. That’s when I realized, buying the cheapest snorkel gear isn’t the way to go. Our friends’ regular cheap snorkels, basically a solid tube with a mouthpiece, immediately filled up with water, and they spent the whole time blowing water out with their mouths. Big mistake. For a few extra dollars, they could have bought a dry snorkel, one with a valve on top which prevents water from entering.

We were very pleased with everything, the flights, the car rental, and the condo which was awesome with two stories, private pool and security. The weather was perfect, and we had beach front access. Except the first day I just described, when we all decided to walk up the beach, and then let the current carry us back down, bringing us in front of the condo. We entered the water, put on our gear, and started to snorkel. Our friends who all had very cheap snorkels that let the water enter their snorkels and they had serious reactions. We learned that it could have been fatal, a snorkeling accident known as “dry drowning.”

Everything You Might Want To Know About Choosing The Right Dive Fins, Split, Paddle, Open Heel, Or Adjustable, And Dive Socks To Go Along With Them. How To Make The Right Decision. Why is it appropriate to call them “booties” but not “sockies.”

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What is the difference between a split fin, a paddle fin, an adjustable strap fin and a full foot fin, and what sock should I wear with these different kinds of fins?
There are two main types of dive fins, open heel adjustable, and full foot fins, and an incredible choice of booties and socks to wear with them.  Please note, “booties”  is appropriate, “sockies” is not.  Nobody knows why that is so don’t ask.
Open heel adjustable fins are the main fins used for scuba diving. These fins are used with booties or socks, and generally have longer, stiffer blades providing more power to propel you and your gear through the water. Open heel adjustable fins, with their capability to be tightened with spring and neoprene straps, are commonly used for all types of scuba diving including recreational, commercial, military and are the fin of choice of instructors. And, because they are worn with booties, open heel fins are basically the only option for cold water diving. You’ll want to choose at least a 3mm sock for cold water diving.

Full foot fins aren’t adjustable, and they do not require boots or socks. They are generally very comfortable and divers slip into them for snorkeling, free diving, spearfishing in warmer waters. Full foot fins are ideal for recreational divers or swimmers. They’re generally lighter than open heel fins and are terrific to pack for traveling.

Once the beginning snorkeler has chosen an open heel adjustable, or full foot fin, the next question becomes a paddle or split fin model diving fin.

Paddle fins have been around forever, and are probably a good, safe choice. They are light, easily packed and provide great thrust without learning a whole new way to kick. Another great benefit is they are relatively inexpensive: You can pick up a good pair of full foot paddle snorkel fins for under $20.

Split fins are a relatively new fin technology that, when used properly, provides more propulsion with less effort. This is especially beneficial for longer snorkeling swims. However, split fins are generally more expensive, and require some instruction as to their use. Basically, instead of long kicks, you use smaller more rapid ‘flutter’ kicks. Also, split fins are better for forward motion, and less efficient for turning and paddling backward. But basically, cheap paddle fins are better than cheap split fins.

An Ode to The Full 3/2mm Wetsuit. A Few Reasons Why This Is The Perfect, Year-Round Wetsuit For Practically Every Dive and Surf Occasion.

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Here’s why the 3/2mm wetsuit is the best wetsuit ever made, and, in addition, here are some sartorial tips on how to dress, and etiquette tips on how to act when you paddle out to a surf spot.
If you surf pretty much anywhere in California, on the East Coast, Florida, Texas, you do not need anything more than a 3/2mm wetsuit. In fact, a long-sleeve 3/2mm wetsuit, full or shorty, just may be the most comfortable wetsuit you will ever wear!  And that includes for diving, too.

Here are some dressing for success tips. A 3/2mm wetsuit is one of surfing’s classic stand-bys. 3/2mm means that the 3mm thickness is in the torso for warmth, 2mm is on extremities for flexibility. Unless it’s Nome, Alaska do not show up at your local summer break in some 5/4 rig replete with booties, gloves and hood. If you wear a shorty, a short john, or vest, or board shorts with vest, or anything without legs, think very seriously before you show up in reef booties, even if you are surfing a reef or rocky point break. Sure, they make sense, but you are on borderline ‘kook-wear’alert if you do. (Older surfers can get away with this).  Booties and shorties – remember it’s a no-no.

If you’re long boarding it, and making a leash-less ‘I’m cool’ fashion statement, do not lose your board. If you do, don’t paddle back. If you’re screaming your rights to a wave, don’t blow the take-off, which means you better catch the wave. If you don’t, don’t paddle back. If you had clam sauce for dinner the night before, brush your teeth. Summer surfing is a crowded cozy affair, everybody’s sitting on top of each other. Nobody wants to smell your bad breath, dude!  Nobody wants to see your sorry self if you blow take-offs or lose boards.

Assuming you don’t know anybody out there, saying nothing is always appropriate. If there’s a diver out there in full scuba regalia, try not to comment on the obvious like, ‘Ooh, look at the scuba diver. I wonder if he could retrieve the fin I lost last week.’ If the surf is firing, try not to comment on the obvious like ‘Ooh it sure is firing out here.’ Try to avoid obvious cliches like ‘Wow, you should have been here yesterday (last week, last month, an hour ago.)

If you’re getting on in age, try not commenting on how you remember how it used to be out here before the crowds (short boarders, long boarders, spongers, girls, divers, SUPs, skim boarders etc). Don’t ask anybody the obvious, which way the tide’s going, or when’s high or low tide. Avoid bragging about some trip to Cloudbreak you just got back from. In other words, when in doubt, just wear your 3/2mm wetsuit and shut up!