Snorkelling for a Teen - equipment

[OldLace]

My DD, 13, wants to learn to snorkel..
Shes a very good swimmer, and a new sport is a good idea as she is ASD and finds hobbies hard.
Clearly, we cant go right now, but live by the Berwickshire coast so access later this year might be okay.

Can anyone advise what she needs to start off with please?

I'm thinking wetsuit (long?), snorkel, mask, flippers (short?) - is this the bare minimum?

Bare minimum is snorkel and mask. Fins help. And a wetsuit is probably a good idea in the U.K. But be aware that she is unlikely to see anything amazing off the U.K. coast.

Thanks @Eurochick. I understand it will be limited off the UK coast, but it's healthy and gets her out of the house.
I hope to get her to Malta one day but funds are an issue (plus all travel likely to be tricky for a while)

I just wonder whether murky water and little of interest to look at might put her off.

The full face masks are becoming more popular, btw - they give a better field of vision. You can get one in decathlon.

Buy a mask in a shop not over the internet, they have to fit.
Oh, remember the days when this was easy

Is it just snorkelling on the surface, or would she be thinking of learning to scuba dive? Wetsuits for scuba in the Uk are usually dry suit and those for warmer waters have different double seams as opposed to a simpler say surfing wetsuit.

If you'd be going somewhere coastal, they might rent wetsuits. As a minimum you'd want mask and snorkel, but own fins are handy too. I agree, that the mask will need fitting properly. Fins have 2 main types. The very basic type are where you fit your naked foot in, and the heel is exposed. Problem with these is that if you need to walk to or front the sea, there might be rocks/coral/shells etc you can get cut on.

I always recommend the type of fin where you wear little wetsuit booties inside. They provide the wearer with protection getting to/from the sea/lake and especially useful if you are washed slightly up the coast onto rocks or oyster shells.

Yep, wetsuit booties are great for this country

i just wonder whether murky water and little of interest to look at might put her off

The OP lives near one of the best marine nature reserves in the UK, St Abbs, Eyemouth area, the water might be cold, but it can be very clear with loads of life, I've scuba dived there a few times.

Definitely try the mask on in person in a shop, when you can. Maybe look up a local BSAC club or dive shop to see if they teach snorkeling safely or even diving when she's a bit older, I think the minimum age is 14.

Second the BSAC suggestion. Your local sub Aqua Club probably runs courses.

Thank you everyone, this is all very helpful!

yes, lucky enough to live near St Abbs / Coldingham.

I've just discovered her Dad (we are separated) has bought her a £28 mask/snorkel/fins pack online and intends to give it to her next week.Her birthday isn't till end July but she's not much concept of time (she thought it was after Christmas when I asked her earlier) but he's said he will give it to her next week. Smashing!
She will be delighted, as he promised it for her last birthday, but it's still outstanding, so he is now Super-Dad and I need to think of a different gift. I think I might get some fancy neoprene dive shorts, Lara Croft style. Unnecessary but they will make her so happy :)
She already has a wetsuit for sea swimming as its cold up here.

I think a Snorkelling Club (and maybe later a Scuba club) is DEFO the way to go, as she is autistic and needs clear rules around safety and will respond better in that setting than listening to me, probably.
I am hoping there will be both around this area. Off to Google!

You can join BSAC as a snorkel member for sure.