Snorkeling is not rocket science. However, there is a definite learning curve that will have to be negotiated. This is true even for experienced snorkeling enthusiasts. But it is definitely all the more true for those who are brand new to this pastime. In a word, snorkeling is as hard as you make it.
There are definitely some aspects of this activity that you will need to take the time to master. You have to know how to swim. You also have to learn how to stay calm. Learning how to breathe underwater in a comfortable and relaxed fashion is not a skill that we are born with. It takes time and effort to learn.
You’ll also need to adjust in a calm and sensible matter to all manner of new sensations all around you. These will include water pressure, adjusting to visibility under water, and other phenomena that you have never experienced before. It shouldn’t be too hard to adapt to these but it will certainly take time to get used to.
So is snorkeling hard? No. If you know how to swim in the ocean you can pickup snorkeling skills in less than an hour. The main skills you must learn are breathing underwater through the snorkel and diving then blowing water out of the snorkel.
Is Snorkeling Hard for Kids?
Snorkeling should not be hard for kids to pick up on. Of course, this will depend on the circumstances. In general, the first thing you need to do is teach your kid to swim. Without this basic skill, you won’t be able to engage in this practice, much less become an expert at it. Swimming is the bedrock upon which snorkeling rests.
The key is to make sure that they are supervised from the start to the end of every single snorkeling experience. You want to slowly but surely get them comfortable in the water. You also want to teach them the best and most effective safety protocols. Finally, you want them to make sure that they know exactly what they are doing.
Part of this is making sure that they have the right gear for the experience. Many kids prefer a full face snorkel mask. This keeps water out of their eyes and ears as they snorkel. It can help to make them more at ease in the water as they pursue this activity. You should let them use whatever kind of gear makes them most comfortable.
Finally, remember that they are kids. Don’t rush them through any stage of their training. Never ridicule them if they seem to be picking up on techniques at a slower pace than others. The secret of successful snorkeling is to learn at your own pace. Let your kids relax in the water and slowly warm up to learning how to snorkel.
Is Snorkeling Hard for Older Adults?
Snorkeling is an activity that doesn’t need to be hard for older adults. No matter what age you may be, as long as you know how to swim, you should be fine. It also helps to be in a reasonably good state of health. While snorkeling is not anyone’s idea of a high impact and contact sport, there is a small bit of exertion involved.
There is no minimum or maximum age for snorkeling. As with any situation out in the water, common sense rules apply. As long as you can get yourself to relax, you can learn the ropes. The key is to pay attention to your instructor and follow their guidance on crucial matters. You should be able to pick it up in no time.
If you have never learned to swim, it’s a good idea to pick up this skill before you get out in the water. It will help you stay relaxed and calm in the water. Likewise, if you suffer from any type of health condition, you need to let your dive instructor know before you get out on the water. Safety first is a great rule to follow.
Is Snorkeling Safe for Non Swimmers?
Snorkeling is not the kind of activity that you want to engage in without a basic knowledge of how to swim. While it is possible in some cases to snorkel without this knowledge, it isn’t recommended. You will have to hang on to a line that is attached to the boat and you won’t be able to stay down under the water for very long.
Knowing how to swim makes things easier when you are snorkeling. This is particularly true if you should get a bit far from the boat while diving underwater. If you know how to swim, you can make your way back to the group after you surface. You can also yell for help and keep yourself buoyant in the water until they can come to you.
If you don’t know how to swim, you are placing yourself in a risky position. You may also be causing stress to others who will need to concern themselves with your safety while attempting to enjoy themselves in the water. For this and many other reasons, it’s definitely best that you learn to swim before you take up this pastime.
Is Snorkeling Easier Than Swimming?
The answer to this question will depend on whether you find swimming to be an easy activity that requires almost no exertion or whether this activity is more laborious and exhausting. If you are in the camp that merely puts up with swimming as a necessary part of being in the water, you may well find snorkeling easier.
This is because when you snorkel, you have plenty of flotation devices to lean on. The most obvious one is the fins you are wearing. You can use them to gently glide through the water. Kicking your legs a bit is, in general, much easier for many people than having to go through the entire routine of using your whole body to swim successfully.
The real answer is you won’t know if you swim or snorkel better in the water until you actually get out there to see for yourself. When you do, you’ll learn the answer while enjoying yourself tremendously.