Scuba Diving club,
Southern California
A Child's Delight:
Discover
the Underwater World as a Family
Article by Joel
Simon
Today families have a wider selection than ever
before on how to spend leisure time with the kids. These decisions are
important: family vacations are activities that can have a strong influence on
shaping your child’s long term interests.
As an active member of the travel
industry, my friends, most of which have children, are constantly asking me
where and what they should do on their family holiday. Fair enough. I’m biased.
I love snorkeling. I know it, they know it. It’s no secret. And I think that
snorkeling vacations are one of the most ideal family activities around. Also
not a secret. But before arriving at the obvious conclusion, I usually ask them
to reflect on their own childhood.
Take a moment to think back on the
activities that you may have done as a kid. Maybe it was riding roller skates,
a bicycle, or a horse. Maybe it was stuff you never mentioned to your folks
such as exploring "off-limits" construction zones, industrial sites
or derelict buildings .... which were usually haunted. Maybe you played team
sports: little league baseball, football, or participated in Girl and Boy
Scouts outings, went to summer camp, or family holidays with your parents. It
doesn’t really matter what they were specifically. Typically, these childhood
memories hold a special and intimate place in the hearts of every "grown
up".
Now think about how many of these
activities you may still do in one form or another. I ask many adults how their
careers (or other adult interests) have been fostered by their youth. Perhaps
it comes as no surprise that a majority of adult lives have been positively
influenced by childhood experiences.
I meet accountants who have always loved
numbers, chemists that as kids nearly blew up their basements, veterinarians
that recount menageries of childhood pets. The same holds true for hobbies or
recreational interests: men (primarily) who’ve been tinkering with cars since
pulling apart the carb on Dad’s ‘37 Ford or couples who for years have been
riding bicycles built for two and still looking as sweet. And I meet others
that wistfully recall their youth as a distant time, removed from the present
except through reminiscence.
For those who have in one form or another
continued and developed on childhood fascinations, inevitably another issue
arises: rejuvenation. Typical comments include: "It makes me feel young
again", or "I remember the very first time I did this", or
"I still experience the same joy when I do this as I did as a kid."
Inevitably these are the activities and more importantly the kind of emotions
that parents enjoy sharing with their children. Inevitably this leads to
discussion on what recreational options are suitable for diverse ages,
represent interests that are fascinating on many levels, and yes, inevitably
this leads to snorkeling. (Well, to be honest, occasionally it also leads to
Europe, Yellowstone, or Disneyland.)
While not unique, one of snorkeling’s
great attributes is it’s appeal to participants of all ages. During nearly
twenty years of leading group snorkeling programs, I’ve worked with members
from eight to eighty (actually 87!) years old. But perhaps the greatest
distinction is that people of varied ages can easily join each other when
snorkeling and experience a similar sense of joy. Children, parents, even
grandparents can all do this together.
In today’s world of jet planes, highly
developed travel services, and a wide range of resorts, planning a snorkeling
vacation for the family is not difficult.
However, some advance thought and
preparation is a wise investment. This is easy enough to say, but what exactly
are the right steps and questions to best insure a safe and enjoyable
snorkeling holiday? Perhaps because snorkeling is a relatively new recreation,
many travel experts may not yet be well acquainted with snorkeling’s specific needs.
In fact, it was precisely this situation
which led to my first (barely) paid position leading snorkeling groups. On the
back page of my alumni newspaper was a small announcement of a trip to the
Caribbean that would include snorkeling instruction. I called the travel office
really with the purpose of finding out if they’d yet selected a teacher.
Admittedly it was a bit devious, but instead of asking outright about the
teaching status, I adopted the persona of a rather discriminating potential
client.
The woman who answered the phone was
polite and well informed. She told me the glorious details of the charter
vessel, the romance of the destinations, and confirmed the overall
organizational and educational caliber of the program. However, when it came to
the specifics of the snorkeling operation she was at a loss. I continued my
"inquisition" concluding with the stern request to personally talk
with their nominated snorkeling teacher to quell my growing anxiety. Only then
did she admit that an instructor had not yet been confirmed.
Although on the phone I sounded a bit
disgruntled at this "serious oversight", privately I was celebrating.
Here was the opportunity I sought. A few days later I called back, thankful
that a different voice answered. I introduced myself, eventually spoke with the
program director, and after many meetings, finally got the job.
It was not surprising that the woman I
initially spoke with didn’t have specific information on the snorkeling
component of their program. (which incidentally, as initially promised, turned
out to be excellent in every way) Few travel agents (and even many dive resort
managers) have really given snorkeling the consideration it deserves,
especially where the well-being of your children is concerned. These needs and
services are, in fact, evolving with the increasing popularity of the sport.
Here are some recommendations.
Whether you end up dealing with travel
agents, directly with resorts, cruise lines, or with dive operators, make sure
they understand that you are interested in snorkeling, not diving. Many travel
experts will be familiar with the needs of SCUBA divers, but not necessarily
those of snorkelers.
I believe snorkeling is most enjoyable
when done in calm, shallow, protected water, especially with children. Ask
about these water conditions! And although available dates are limited for kids
in school, find out when seas are optimal for specific places. Brochures always
show tranquil skies and placid blue water, but climate varies dramatically with
location and time of year. While it’s impossible to predict the weather,
seasons are well defined. For example, cyclones are probable in the South
Pacific during December and January. Hurricanes are probable in the Northern Caribbean
(and parts of Mexico) between October and January, and the Western Caribbean
can be especially prone to "Nortes" from November through
mid-January.
For novices, snorkeling instruction can
get everyone off to a good start. Ask if this is available! Many dive resorts
assume no teaching is needed for this activity. Not true. In fact, as you will
read in adjacent pages, there are now fine instructional materials available.
PADI, NAUI, SSI, and NASDS all produce and distribute snorkeling teaching tools,
some geared specifically to children.
Using these books and videos can really
get kids excited about their vacation. And it’s a good way to start learning
(or reviewing) snorkeling skills while still at home. There are also
fascinating documentaries on marine life available at local video shops and
libraries. Children (and parents!) love these. I also recommend investing in a
simple fish identification book to take along with you. It’s both enjoyable and
educational to review the creatures you’ve seen together in the water.
In recognition of family snorkeling
holidays, some resorts have designated certain weeks or months specifically for
parents and their children. Although usually during our summer months, dates
vary for each resort. Ask! During these periods, your kids are more likely to
find friends their own age, and infrastructure such as child care or
interpretative sessions in basic marine biology are more readily available.
Find out if boats are offered for
snorkelers only! Many resorts are happy to accommodate snorkelers by including
them with the divers. This can be awkward, and the dive sites are sometimes
quite inappropriate for snorkeling, particularly with kids.
If you and the kids don’t have all your
own equipment, inquire about the sizes and availability of rental gear,
especially fins and (if needed) wetsuits. And while most people float easily in
tropical seas, parents sometimes feel more comfortable when their kids are
wearing floatation. Find out if lightweight snorkeling vests, float jackets, or
foam belts can be obtained.
Remember, a properly fitting mask is the
most important piece of snorkeling equipment for you and your children. Often,
you will have a greater selection of masks close to home than at a resort’s
rental counter. If you invest in one piece of gear for your kids (and
yourself), it should be a properly fitting mask.
In new areas, as at home, we are all
concerned with a child’s safety. With this in mind, it’s important to ask about
some unsavory issues: local crime, possible disease, or hazardous marine life.
During certain months, jellyfish may plague Australian beaches, and although
rare, sharks, can present a potential hazard to snorkelers in some areas.
Overall, snorkeling is as safe for
children as it is enjoyable for everyone.
Holiday memories are created not only by
where you are, but by whom you’re with. When the next opportunity arises to
spend quality time with the kids, consider a snorkeling vacation for an
intimate and rewarding experience for the entire family.
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Posted September 10, 2003