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This article is from the Outdoor Activities for Young Children FAQ, by Gloria Logan glogan@atk.com with numerous contributions by others.

57 SNORKELING:

From: mjohnson@zeus.calpoly.edu (Mark S. Johnson):

I just took my son to Anacapa Island to snorkel on his seventh
birthday. He loved it. Garibaldi are now his most favorite animals in
the universe, I think :-).

Details

Date: 4 October 1992
Air Temp: 75 F
Water Temp: 64 F
Thermal protection: 3mm/2mm Oneil surf suit, size 10 (a bit big for him)
cost: ~$100.
(Shorty surf suits for kids can be rented
in these parts for about $10/day)
2mm "rash guard" booties (help his fins fit, too)
cost: $20 at a surf shop
6.5mm hood, extra small, rented from a dive shop ($3)

(Except for the hood, my son uses this gear while bodyboarding, too.
He got cold a couple times at Anacapa, but he just jumped out and
warmed up in the sun and got right back in. His wetsuit gave BOTH of
us a secure feeling because of its buoyancy.)

Mask and snorkel: Voit (??) purchased at Big 5
cost: ~$25

This mask has the "quick adjust" straps common
now on most adult dive masks. This is VERY handy
for helping your child adjust/readjust his/her mask,
especially when you're both in the water.

Fins: adjustable for sizes 1-5 made by ???
purchased at Big 5
cost: $20

Boat trip: Island Packers out of Ventura
express trip to East Anacapa Landing, 12n-5pm
$32/adult, $20/child

So, like diving, outfitting your kids for snorkeling is not all that
cheap in California, especially given wetsuits that are quickly
outgrown. However, my son and I both agree that this little snorkel
trip was the most fun we've ever had together.

Dive shops don't seem to carry much gear for kids, and if they do, it
can be expensive ($65 masks). If you get the "better" stuff at a
sporting goods store you should be all right. Dive gear is only
seasonally available at some sporting goods stores, so you might need
to start shopping NOW or wait till spring.
-----

 

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children, child, kid, Outdoor Activities, backpacking, ski, canoeing, biking, camping, trailer