Buyers Guide

Snorkeling Guide How to choose a wetsuit, booties, and a wetsuit hood Choosing the right pair of swimfins. Choosing the booties, socks, and fin tethers

The Snorkeling Guide:

1)  Snorkeling Checklist:

* Mask

* Snorkel

* Fins

* Mesh drawstring bag

* Waterproof sunblock

* Waterproof  camera

* Beach walker shoes

* Rashguard, or Full or Spring wetsuit (Dependent upon the water temp.)

* Fin socks

2) Choosing your gear:

    In the snorkeling world there are 3 components that are absolutely necessary. The "BIG 3"  are the mask, snorkel, and the swimfins. While other items such as bags, weights, cameras and wetsuits enhance your snorkeling experience, they are not mandatory. Here we will help you to narrow down and chose the gear that you need, and the accessories that will make your next time in the water an awesome experience:

  A) the Mask:

• The mask is one of the most crucial equipment pieces for anyone snorkeling, therefore it is very important that you find one that fits your face, needs, and budget.
• Masks have 3 important features to consider when you are picking them out.
• The first of these parts is the lens. 
• The lens is extremely important as it is your looking glass into the underwater world. The better lenses are made of tempered glass, which are less prone to distortion, more durable, fog less, and better under pressure.  A more affordable lens option are plastic lenses. Plastic lenses are an affordable option for first time snorkeling.
• The second feature of all masks is called the skirt. The skirt is important as it keeps the water out. Skirts are typically made of either rubber or silicone.  If you are looking for a mask that will last a little bit longer, opt for a silicone skirt as it is more durable and will endure the chemicals in sunscreens, seals better, and is more comfortable.
• The third feature on all masks is the mask strap.  The mask strap helps keep your mask positioned in the right place and secure to keep from breaking the water seal.  Most masks with silicone straps come with silicone straps as well, and most masks with rubber skirts come with rubber mask straps as well.
• Some masks have purge valves in the nose which are one way valves that help release trapped water.
• QUICK BUYING TIPS:  The most important thing to remember with all snorkeling equipment is comfort. Silicone skirts and straps provide the most comfort, yet are more expensive. Plastic lenses are more affordable but recommended for children and pool use.

B)  the Snorkel:

• The snorkel is a simple tube ranging from one to three feet that helps you breath while your face is still underwater.
• Most snorkels are made of either PVC or stiff rubber.
• There are two general styles- the straight shaft,, or the flexible shaft.
• The better quality snorkels will come with a purge valve located at the end of the shaft near the mouthpiece. Purge valves help to drain any water that might get into the shaft while snorkeling.

C)  the Swimfins:

• Snorkeling fins are not a mandatory item to snorkel, however anyone not choosing to use them should not venture into water deeper than waist high.
• Swimfins are used for a variety of purposes. 

-Steer you when you dive under 

-Dive deeper

-Conserve energy

-Swim faster

• Snorkeling swimfins are slightly longer than most recreational and bodyboarding swimfins. The reason for this is because they are designed to give you more power and thrust, rather than a short quick kick.
• Most snorkeling fins are adjustable, and fit almost every foot. We recommend fin socks for first time users. Fin socks provide a thin neoprene layer of protection to keep from getting blisters and cuts from your fins.
  
  D)   the Accessories:

• Equipment Bag:  we recommend to pick up an affordable bag to carry your snorkeling gear down to the water. Bags are inexpensive and one of the most common things that snorkelers  regret not having when bringing their equipment to the water for the day.
• Cameras:  whether you snorkel every day, or are jumping in for the first time, underwater cameras are one of the best ways to capture your snorkeling memories. We offer both digital and film cameras to capture your underwater adventures.
• Sun Protection: the sun is brutal, and even though you may be underwater, you need to be protected. We recommend that every one wear sunscreen on all exposed areas of your body. Many snorkelers choose to be safe and wear a rashguard as well. Rashguards should not be used in place of sunscreen.
• Wetsuits: this accessory is optional, however if the water is cold or it is a really windy area, you will be regretting your snorkeling experience if you are too cold.

  3)  Hitting the Water:   Here are some quick tips to help make your snorkeling experience a memorable and safe one:

  1)    Preparing your gear:  clean out your mask by rinsing the inside of the lense with dish soap and water, give it a good scrub to remove any oils or chemicals inside of the mask. Always check to make sure all gear fits. Double check to see what the weather and water temperatures are where you will be snorkeling so you can decide upon whether you should wear a wetsuit, short john, or jacket.

  2)    When and where to go:  the best times to go snorkeling are when the sun is out, and in an area or at a time when there are no waves. Limited sunlight will dramatically affect your visibility. Waves are fun for surfing, but when it comes to snorkeling they are your worst enemy. Waves will churn up sand and reduce visibility, as well as potentially harm snorkelers swimming in shallow areas or near rocks. Bays and coves are often favorites for most snorkelers, as they are sheltered and protected from open ocean currents and waves.

  3)    Snorkeling Safety Tips:  Never snorkel alone! Most accidents happen when people are by themselves. Avoid venturing too far from the shore as conditions can always change in the sea and you may find yourself out of energy. Be aware of your surroundings. Animals, rocks, reef, and the bottom features should all be know before hitting the water. Be careful when snorkeling in areas where seaweed prevalent, as you can become entangled or caught in the seabed.  Always avoid touching the sea life and reef features. So many things look so cool and interesting, and the only way they will stay that way is if you do not put your hands all over them.

  4)    Snorkeling Tips:  The most important way to enjoy your snorkeling is to relax.  Stay with a partner and enjoy viewing the underwater scenery. If you feel adventurous you can dive down shortly to get a better view. When diving, you should equalize your ears. You can do this by pinching your nose and blowing it at the same time.  This should be done as often as possible, and if your ears will not pop and equalize, then do not swim any deeper.

  5)    Equipment Care:  snorkeling equipment should last for quite a long time if you take proper care of it. Avoid wearing your swimfins outside of the water, or walking over reef with them. The best way to clean your gear is to soak it in freshwater to loosen all of the sand and clean all of the salt from it. Avoid storing your gear in extremely hot areas as it could ruin it.

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  WETSUIT AND ACCESSORIES GUIDE How to choose a wetsuit, booties, and a wetsuit hood

  A good wetsuit, booties, gloves, and hood can take you through the harshest of winters, but you have to know what to get for the water temperature you will be tackling. Here's a brief guide to help you pick out your wetsuit: The important things to take note of when determining what wetsuit to buy are "what water temperature will I be using the suit in?", and "how much can I afford to spend?" Generally speaking, the more money you spend, the warmer, and more flexible your suit will be. Things that seperate different wetsuits to make one better than another are SEAM TYPE, THICKNESS, AND RUBBER TYPE. Below is a brief rundown on these things, followed by a water temperature guide. Use this to determine which type of suit you will need for any water temperature. NOTE: Keep in mind that everyone has a different tolerance to cold, so while one person may be comfortable surfing 62 degree water in a spring suit, someone else might need a full in these water temperatures. By the way, if you don't know what the water temps are like in your area, click HERE.

  SEAM TYPES- Overlock- The least expensive type of seam, it allows water to pass through, and can cause rash problems if located in a bad spot on the suit. Strictly for cool to tropical water temps, this seam is used on the budget suits. Flatlock- This is an inexpensive seam that allows water to pass through the seam, but is flush with the neoprene minimizing rash problems. Not the type of seam you want in a winter suit, but fine for cool to tropical water temps. Blindstitch- This is the warmest type of seam. It does not allow water to pass through, and if the suit is double blindstitched and glued, it will be extremely warm and pretty much watertight.

  THICKNESS- Many suits come in a combination thicknesses to promote easier mobility in the parts of your body that don't get cold as easily. Springsuits and vests usually come in 2mm or less thickness. Fullsuits typically come in 3/2mm, 3/3mm, 4/3mm, 5/3mm and even thicker for the frigid climes.

  RUBBER TYPE- There are basically two types: Regular vs. Superstretch rubber- Regular neoprene is a quality material with great properties with adequate flex, and great durability. Superstretch is an outstanding material performance-wise, but is not as durable because of the fact that it can stretch 300% more than regular neoprene which puts a strain on it. Most people are willing to pay the extra for it to have that extreme flexibility that comes with Superstretch.

  COATING- All wetsuits use neoprene, which is a synthetic rubber, as the insulation, and have different outer coatings. Here are the two most common: Nylon 2- This is the best to have on the stomach of your suit so that you can slide around and do maneuvers on your bodyboard. Not as warm as smooth skin, but more durable and flexible. Pretty much every suit on the market has Nylon 2 throughout most of the suit. Smooth skin rubber- This is a very warm outer coating that resists water and wind, but is not as flexible. Great to have on the backof the suit where mobility isn't required. Bad on the stomach as it prevents sliding up and down on the bodyboard for prone moves. On the suits we sell in our "Wet Stuff" section, none of them have smooth skin on the stomach area.

  ZIPPER- Basically, there are zipper and zipperless suits. Zipper suits- If you're going with a zipper suit, it will be easy to get on and off, and if you're taking it into cold water, you want the zipper to be as short as possible. 1/2 zip or 3/4 zip won't go as far down your back which minimizes water leakage or have a water barrier behind the zipper, like the Aleeda Advantage and Ace suits. For extreme cold, get an across the back or across the chest zip as opposed to the vertical back zip. Zipperless suits- Generally, these suits allow very little water penetration, and are super warm in cold water. The downside is that they are usually somewhat difficult to get on and off, and the tweaking you have to do to get in and out of them strains the rubber which shortens the life of the suit.

  ACCESSORIES- Crucial to handling it when the water really starts to chill off! Booties, gloves, and caps/hoods come in handy when the water temps drop into the low 50'sF/11C or below.

  To help you pick the right wetsuit see the chart below: WATER TEMP (Fahrenheit/Celcius) TYPE OF SUIT / ACCESSORIES NEEDED 75F / 23C plus Rash guard, vest (Click here to see our rash guards, or vests) 70-75F / 20-23C Short John, pullover jacket (Click here to see our short johns, or jackets) 65-70F / 18-20C Short sleeve spring suit w/any stitch type or pullover jacket (Click here to see our spring suits , or jackets) 60-65F / 15-18C Long sleeve spring or 2/2 full or 3/2 full with any type of stitch (Click here to see our spring suits , or fullsuits) 55-60F / 12-15C 3/3 or 3/2 full with blindstitching and 2mm booties for some people (Click here to see our fullsuits) 45-55F / 8-12C 4/3 full with blindstitching + 2mm, 3mm or 5mm booties and 3mm gloves/surf cap (Click here to see our fullsuits, or booties, gloves & hoods) 44F / 7C and below 5/3 full with blindstitching + 5mm booties and 5mm gloves/coldwater hood (Click here to see our fullsuits, or booties, gloves & hoods) Email us with any specific questions: info@eBodyboarding.com Back to top

  CHOOSING THE RIGHT PAIR OF SWIMFINS

  When choosing a pair of fins, we recommend that comfort and fit be the number one most important factor. Second should be performance, and third is price. Let's address these factors. 1. Comfort- The fin should fit snugly without squeezing your foot. If it squeezes, you'll get cramps. All of our fins are comfortable and top of the line. Make sure you pick the size that corresponds to the sizing info given with each fin description. (Check "fin accessories" at the bottom of this page). When you get them, wear them around the house for a half an hour. Walk around, sit down. If they hurt your feet, you need another brand or a different size. We take returns or exchanges minus shipping costs as long as you haven't used them in the surf and you return them within 30 days after you receive them. 2. Performance- A fin should provide good thrust. We basically sell "asymmetric" which have a blade that is diagonal, and "symmetric" which is a blade that is shaped the same on both sides. Shorter blades provide quicker starts, but it means you have to give more kicks to get the same distance as a longer fin. 3. Price- Think about how often you are going to use the swimfins.... Now here's a rundown of accessories that go with them:

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  SWIMFIN ACCESSORIES

  Fin Socks- Neoprene socks that cover your entire foot except the ball of your heel. Prevents fin sores and also makes swimfins more comfortable. 2mm thickness.

  Aleeda surf socks- 3mm neoprene booties that cover your entire foot and ankle and go up part way onto your calf. Beside preventing fin sores, these also keep your feet warm in cold water and comfortable in swimfins. You may want to consider getting your fins a size larger if you're planning to wear these with them.

  Aleeda lycra fin socks- Made of thin lycra to wear when your main purpose is to prevent fin ulcers or cuts. They cover your entire foot, and aren't thick and bulky like other neoprene socks.

  H2Odyssey socks- We offer these in 3mm and 5mm thickness, and they are blindstitched to handle the coldest conditions out there. You will almost definitely need a larger size of fins to fit over these unless you want unbearable cramps in your feet. These incorporate a built-in fin tether.

  TIP! If you plan to use your fins in cold water mostly and want to wear booties (3mm or more)under them then you might want to get 1 size up in the fins than what you would normally wear. The booties will make the fins fit tighter, can be uncomfortable and may cause cramping.