YOUR SNORKELING EXPERIENCE
By JDL Instructor Wendy Laros

MASK

1. FIT- Place mask on face where it feels comfortable and breath in through nose. Make sure all hair is out of mask. Create suction. Good suction = Good fit.

2. STRAP- Place mask on face where it feels comfortable and then pull strap over head. Keep strap high on the back of your head and above your ears. Make sure it is snug, but not too tight.

3. DEFOG- Squirt a couple of drops of defog solution on the inside of a dry mask and rub around. Rinse off in salt water, not fresh water.

4. CLEARING MASK OF WATER WHEN SNORKELING- Apply pressure to top of mask, blow out your nose, and look up. With a purge mask, press on sides of mask, blow out your nose and look down.

SNORKEL

1. FIT- Bite down gently on bite tabs and place lips over mouthpiece. The seal to keep water out is created by your lips. If you smile you will break the seal and water will come in.

2. CLEARING THE WATER OUT OF THE SNORKEL- It's easy to get the water out of the snorkel. Say the word "two" with force and blast the water out the purge.

3. BREATHING WITH A SNORKEL- Breath deep, slow relaxed breaths. Look out in a 45-degree angle. Keep snorkel out of water.

FINS

1. FIT- Place foot in foot pocket (there is no right or left). Stand up and lift heal up and down. If the heal stays snug the fin fits.

2. KICKING- Use big slow kicks. Move your legs from your hips and bend knees only slightly. Keep fins underwater, not above water. Avoid bicycle kick (big knees) or flutter kicks (movement at ankle). Keep arms to side.

ADVANCED TECHNIQUES

FREE DIVING Take 3-4 (no more) deep rapid breaths through the snorkel, bend at the waist and dive under straight down. Start kicking and start equalizing ears (pinch nose and blow gently every 2'-3'). Swim around and then head back up. Look up with hand over head. When fingertips hit surface, blow out snorkel to displace water. At the surface, put face back in water and breath through snorkel.

FAVORITE SNORKEL SITES:

KAHALUU BEACH PARK, HONAUNAU BAY (Place of Refuge), MILE FOUR MARKER, OLD AIRPORT BEACH PARK, HONOKAHAU HARBOR, AND PUAKO.

Ask us for maps to these places and more when you visit our shop! We offer quality snorkeling equipment rentals and friendly advice.

CONSERVATION:

Do not stand on or touch live coral. You will harm this delicate animal and ultimately the entire ecosystem. Please do not feed the fish. Please look, but do not harass (touch, pet, grab, or chase) the Green Sea Turtles. They are air breathing reptiles, a protected species, and a stiff penalty can result from harassment. Please only look at the coral reef and it's inhabitants.

HAVE FUN AND ENJOY HAWAII'S BEAUTIFUL UNDERWATER WORLD!