SOFTWEAR:

MASKS, SNORKELS & FINS

Snorkeling Tips

• Buy decent snorkeling gear for everybody, even the kids. Kids and adults alike will give up if the experience is made unpleasant by cheap equipment.
• Keep hair out of the mask. It'll cause a leak.
• A well-fitted mask should "stick" to your face without the strap. 
• Take the family to a pool to practice before you go into the sea.
• Make sure everybody slips, slops and slaps.
• Drink plenty of water.

• Snorkel in the morning when the sea is usually at its calmest.
• Bring extra food: snorkeling makes everybody hungry.
• Use a bright beach towel to mark the entry spot on the beach.
• Always stay together.
• An inflated inner tube tied to Dad can act as a rest spot for the entire family.
• For your first family snorkeling adventure, invest in a disposable underwater camera. The photos will be hilarious.

MASKS

Although it is perhaps one of the most simple pieces of diving and snorkeling equipment it is easy to realise the masks importance. Without a quality mask that provides optimum visibility and comfort it is almost impossible to enjoy the underwater experience to its fullest. What to Look for in a Mask When selecting a mask for yourself the most important things are fit, comfort and easy adjustment. A mask has a good fit when it seats comfortably on the face, seals well and does not leak. All quality scuba masks have a silicone skirt, the softer and more comfortable the better. Do not confuse softness with thinness of the skirt material. The best masks have a thicker, more durable skirt while maintaining comfort. Once the style has been established fitting the mask is the most crucial part. An Explanation of Mask Features: Mask Frames Single Some people prefer a single lens because they believe the bar on two lens masks across the bridge of the nose will be distracting. This is generally not a problem because unless you deliberately try to look inwards you will not see it. Once you forget the bridge is there you will not notice it. The true benefit of a single lens mask is that they tend to be higher volume, which suits people with larger noses or a protruding forehead. Double Double lens masks are generally able to fit closer to the eyes, which allows greater visibility. The two lens mask has a low internal volume which requires little effort to clear. Side Windows The side windows on a mask provide enhanced side vision. A mask with side windows does have a larger internal volume, which will require slightly more effort to clear. Mask Skirts Rubber Rubber is rarely used in modern masks as other materials listed below offer either lower costs or greater comfort and durability. PVC PVC is a very inexpensive plastic material that is generally used on very inexpensive masks. It tends to be relatively hard and uncomfortable against the face and can lose shape quickly. Silitex Silitex is a combination of silicon and PVC. It is softer and more comfortable than PVC and is suitable for the casual snorkeler or holiday maker. Silicon - Black or Clear Silicon is the best material for a mask skirt. It is very soft compared to other materials making for a better fit and greater comfort. Silicon holds its shape very well and is extremely durable. Black silicon is the product of choice for some snorkelers/divers although clear silicon is more popular. They are generally the same quality. Black silicon lets in less light, which some people find less distracting and is more popular with spear fishermen. Some people prefer the more open feeling and the cosmetics of clear silicon. Clear masks also have a wider range of colour choices for the mask frames. There are over 30 different masks available, this is obviously only a small selection here. There are many styles for those divers or snorkelers who also require special optical lenses fitted.

Teknika Masks                          RRP $169.50       GRANT'S PRICE $149 The Teknika mask is an extremely durable twin lens mask designed specifically to meet the demands of technical diving. Features The 3mm tempered glass lenses are securely sandwiched between the shock absorbent technopolymer outer frame and a one piece moulded rear support held together by stainless steel AISI 304 bolts and nuts. They provide maximum adaptability and comfort regardless of head shape. The quick counterposed push button activation ensures the buckle is easy to use even when wearing gloves. The combination of frame design and cardanic joint buckles allows the mask to be folded flat and easily stowed away in a pocked. Patented cardanic joint buckles rotate both up-and down and in-and-out. Skirt: Hypo-allergenic high grade silicone Frame: Shock resistant technopolymer Strap: Silicone Bolts and Screws: Stainless steel AISI304             Infinity Masks                  RRP $159.50       GRANT'S PRICE $145 The Infinity mask has been designed to provide maximum vision. Features The shape of the lenses and their inclination provide a wide field of vision both upwards and downwards. The side lens is made from an optical quality polymer offering brighter, and increased lateral vision. Patented cardanic joint buckles rotate both up-and-down and in-and-out. They provide maximum adaptability and comfort regardless of head shape. The quick counter-posed push button activation ensures the buckle is easy to use even when wearing gloves. Skirt: Hypo-allergenic high grade silicone Frame: Technopolymer Strap: Silcone   Micro Masks                    RRP $169.50       GRANT'S PRICE $149 Small in size, big in performance A revolutionary structure for an extremely compact internal volume, never achieved before. The MICRO MASK is characterised by a completely revolutionary, patented structure that makes it possible to insert the mask lenses into the ocular orbit thereby obtaining an extremely compact internal volume. The patented double joint buckles (cardan joint buckles) rotate both up-and-down and inwards-and-outwards. They provide maximum adaptability to any head shape. The excellent field of vision, along with the very compact internal volume, makes the Micro Mask a favourite choice among all divers.   Favola Masks                         RRP $149.50       GRANT'S PRICE $129 Light weight weight mask with unequalled field of view and comfort the Favola offer both the diver and snorkeler unequalled comfort due to the High quality silicon used for the skirt and strap giving an excellent fit and seal, combine this with the Cardanic joint and you have the most comfortable mask you have ever worn. The drop down lenses and low profile mask gives you excellent field of view and the light weight frame makes it an extremely comfortable mask. Features High quality soft silicon for extra comfort Cardanic Joint for increased comfort Wide field of view Twin tempered glass lenses Easy to adjust and use Low profile makes it easy to clear   Kea Masks                              RRP $139.50       GRANT'S PRICE $119 The Kea mask offers the diver and snorkeller superior comfort and a virtually unrestricted angle of view. This lightweight frame design produces a mask with superior comfort while maintaining an extremely low volume and a low profile resulting in excellent horizontal and vertical angle of view. CORRECTION LENSES AVAILABLE: A huge range from: -1.00 to -10.00 and +1.00 to +3.00 Features New push button buckle 2 color frame for great looks! Angled lens provides excellent upward & downward field of vision. Very low volume design makes clearing water easy. Two-lens design for great visibility. Silicone skirt fits a variety of face shapes. Tempered glass lenses.  Colours:  Trans-Blue, Yellow (clear silicon only)/ Metallic Blue, Trans-Yellow (black silicon only)/ Aqua (clear and black silicon)     Luxe Masks                           RRP $79.50       GRANT'S PRICE $69 Low profile mask with double lenses and good adjustability  Features Weight; 180g Type: Double Lenses Lens Thickness: 4mm Temper Specs: ANSI; DEMA Buckles: Quick Release Skirt: Clear Silicone & Black Silicone with Black Frame Top Home

SNORKELS

The snorkel is another relatively simple piece of equipment that offers the convenience and relaxation of breathing at the surface indefinitely, without needing to lift your head out of the water. This allows you to view the underwater world uninterrupted. It is also considered a standard piece of equipment for scuba diving, since it allows you to conserve the air in your tank while swimming on the surface. Selecting Your Snorkel Snorkels are made from a combination of materials, usually the upper bore is made from a rigid or semi rigid plastic while the lower portion or mouthpiece is made from silitex or silicon. Bore Contouring the snorkel to the head is a common feature of better snorkels. The larger the snorkel diameter the easier the breathing, but the greater the difficulty in clearing it of water. A small bore will restrict the flow of air but is easier to clear, this style is more suited to children. The larger bore is more suited to adults. Mouthpiece As with masks, the mouthpieces on snorkels come in a variety of sizes and material. The material varies from Silitex to Silicon. The silitex is a little hard on the mouth after extended use, whereas the silicon is much more comfortable and favoured by people spending extended periods in the water. Length The length of a snorkel should not exceed about 43cm, any longer than this and it becomes more difficult to clear, and if too short it will allow water to continually enter. Purge Valve The purge valve is found at the bottom of the snorkel and is designed to allow the snorkel to self-drain to reduce the effort in clearing. Snorkel Keeper Snorkel keepers are used to attach the snorkel to the mask strap, they are normally a soft loop style that slides over the snorkel or a clip-on plastic keeper. The keepers are supplied with the snorkel. Dry Top The dry top on a snorkel is designed to restrict the entry of water through the top of the snorkel without reducing the flow of air. With close to thirty snorkels to choose from, for kids to adults there is sure to be a snorkel suit your individual tastes and preferences, either for diving or snorkeling. There are even snorkels with built in radios and special sockets for asthma puffers!

Snap Snorkels                                               ***CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE*** Unique foldable design - perfect for storage in BC pocket when not in use. The incredible pocket snorkel! The Snap easily folds or rolls up into a small compact package that fits easily into any BC pocket and snaps back into action with ease when you need it! Features Type: Foldable Tube: Anatomic Mouthpiece: Anatomic Material: Thermoplastic & Silicone Retainer: Quick Fixing Vent System: Yes - Integrated   Impulse 3 Flex Snorkels                RRP $79.50       GRANT'S PRICE $69 The Impulse 3 flex Snorkel continues to be the snorkel of choice for divers all around the world. Its popularity is due to the highly efficient upper valve system, which guides excess water away from the main airway preventing water from reaching the mouthpiece. The Impulse 3 flex is an improved, more streamlined version of the original! Features Replacable mouthpiece Large bore for easier breathing Dry top keeps splashed water out Large purge for easy clearing Drop away mouthpiece   Spirit Dry Snorkels                        RRP $44.50       GRANT'S PRICE $39 Slim design with flex drop-away design and removable silicone mouthpiece. Features Type: Dry Tube: Angled With Flex Mouthpiece: Standard Snap On Material: Moulded Plastic & Silicone Retainer: Plastic Rigid Purge Valve: Single Vent System: Baffle                                                                                                                                                                                                         Top Home