Equipment for new members will be provided for the first few weeks by the club, but they will then be expected to purchase their own equipment when they become full members of the club.
Basic Kit
Advanced Kit
Basic Kit
Mask
The mask should have a frame, a lens, a seal and a split strap.
The lens should be made of tempered glass, which prevents shattering underwater. The seals and strap are usually silicone. The frame is usually made of plastic.
The average price should be about £25 - £30.
Snorkel
There are two main types of snorkel. The common 'J' Tube and the 'L' Tube.
They are usually made of plastic or rubber and have silicone rubber mouthpieces.
You should not get any snorkel with a valve or ball at the top, as they are dangerous.
There are snorkels that come with valves at the base to aid clearing. These are good, but are harder to care for and really aimed more at divers.
The average price of a snorkel can range between £10 - £15.
Fins
There are two main types of fin, shoe fin and open heel fin.
The shoe or pool fin is ideal for the beginner, being smaller and offering less surface resistance in the water and is consequently less tiring. The shoe fin, as one might expect, is supplied in shoe sizes, the foot fitting into a slipper-like pocket. Fins for growing children may be purchased slightly larger in size and socks or booties worn for comfort.
The average price should be about £20 - £30.
Dive Bag
These are very useful for carrying and storing your kit. The two main styles are snorkelling or backpack. The bags come in many different sizes, the most common being 25L, 75L and 100L.
We recommend a fin shaped snorkelling bag, these are ideal for carrying basic equipment. Open water and above my wish to consider a larger bag.
Cost depends on the size and material of the bag. Snorkelling bags cost about £15 - £30.
Rash Vest (Optional)
These are optional but advised especially if you get cold easily as the pool can get very chilly. They are available with either short or long sleeves.
These cost about £15 - £20 without a fleece lining or upto £50 with a fleece lining.
Advanced Kit
Weight Belt & Weights
A weight belt is not needed until the snorkeller reaches the Open Water Snorkel Diver.
The weight belt itself is made of woven nylon generally with a stainless steel buckle. The weights are moulded lead blocks that are covered in a protective layer of plastic, this makes them easily visible and identifiable. The amount of weight required is subject to the size and buoyancy of the snorkeller.
The cost of the weight belt and weights would be about £15 for the belt and about £5 per 2kg block.
Wetsuit
A very useful piece of open water equipment. They come in various thicknesses from about 3mm to 8mm. For snorkelling a 5mm titanium lined suit is ideal providing warmth and mobility.
These can be purchased for about £90 and up. The club loans out Jag wetsuits for students going on the Lulworth trip.
Depth Gauge
The depth gauge is a very useful instrument which can record the depths you achieve during breath hold dives. A Bourdon Tube type gauge is the best type to use. This is more sensitive at shallower depths and is therefore more useful to the snorkeller. Bourdon Tube gauges are however hard to come by. Your dive shop will be able tell you if they can get them for you.
Compass
The compass is another useful instrument, which can help with direction and position fixing. There are two basic styles of instrument available, top viewed or side window diving compasses, both equipped with a rotating bezel.
The average price should be about £15 - £20.
Watch
A watch enables you to keep an eye on the time of day and the length of your dive. You can then record this in your dive log book. Most water resistant watches are rated water proof to about 100m which is perfectly adequate for snorkelling. A useful thing to check is that the strap is long enough to fit over a wet suited wrist.
Lifejacket
A vital piece open water safety equipment. If you get into difficulty a lifejacket should provide you with enough buoyancy to keep your head well above water until help arrives (usually in the form of an instructor). In general the jacket fits over the head and the straps are secured behind the back. These are provided for students on the Lulworth trip.
Net-cutter/Dive Knife
These are ideal for cutting snagging line in the water and are therefore an important piece of safety equipment.
It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to purchase a dive knife.
Net Cutters are a good alternative for junior snorkelers. The main reason these are more suitable is that you cannot cut yourself with the blade. The cutting edge is set back in the handle, with only a gap large enough for line to get into. It is therefore very safe and effective
Torches
Very useful on night dives and handy on day dives.
At night it helps you see.
In the day it puts light where you want to see, such as in dark crevices.
The torch does not have to be expensive, suitable small torches are available for about £20. Ask at your local store for advice on what to buy.
Boats
These are not a cheap addition to your kit bag, but do open up much more of the coastline to you. The typical vessel used for snorkelling, is a 5 or 6 metre Ridged Inflatable Boat (R.I.B.). These are very easily manouvered at low speeds and in suitable shallow dive sites. They can carry up to 8 snorkellers with full kit and instructors.
