Dove (OK, snorkeled) Fort Wetherill Yesterday

[orangelad]

My girlfriend and I - both newly certified divers - snorkeled Fort Wetherill in Jamestown for the first time yesterday. Snorkeling when you'd rather be diving seems a little like having frozen salisbury steak when you're salivating for a filet. But it was a spur of the moment decision and neither of us have all our gear yet.

We were certified in Key West about a month ago - warm, crystal clear waters and tons of tropical fish. So it was a strange, albeit unsuprising, awakening swimming back home for the first time where the water isn't half as clear and the fish aren't half as interesting or photo-worthy. But we didn't care! We're just happy to be div... er ... snorkeling, period. And living vicariously through the other divers in the cove.

I also just wanted to relay to my fellow divers here that we got 2 thumbs up on the visibility and conditions report from other divers. The main cove was teeming with kayakers, divers, snorkelers, etc. I'd heard/read the Wetherill seems to be the spot to dive in RI. Anyone here agree/disagree?

 

[sasscuba]

Nothing wrong with some snorkeling.

 

[spectrum]

Nothing at all wrong with skin-diving. It's a great way to scout a site before commiting to a dive. It's also a good fix when a buddy or gear are not at hand. If I had my way skind-diving would really be taught and OW students would do an open water skin-dive before touching a BC or regulator, I think it's that important as a foundation.

Weaving in and around the shore line you can develop some great finning techniques. Also by being out there in your fins you are toning those muscles and are cramp proofing yourself for scuba diving.

You are getting accustomed to sustained oral breathing and having your faces in the water. These are all things you have learned to do in the certification process but it's face in the water time that will make it second nature.

Diving down for explorations you can build confidence in your abilities should you ever need to swim to a buddy in a scuba OOA emergency.

It's all good time in the water and try to get out for a skin-dive from time to time. The better your sense of watermanship is the more comfortable you will be as a diver. There is something to be said for enjoying the water in a simple way.

What did you see?

Pete

 

[LobstaMan]

My father taught both my brother and I how to snorkel before we ever used a peice of his scuba gear. He made us snorkel around, hold our breath and drop down and pick up stones off the bottom so he knew we were proficient swimmers and snorkelers before we started to learn scuba. Of course, that was when I was 11 and did whatever my father told me. You'd have a tough time selling that to a 35 year old who wants to scuba.

I don't snorkel much anymore, although my brother goes often. I'm just much more a sinker than a floater.:diver:

LobstaMan

 

[spectrum]

You'd have a tough time selling that to a 35 year old who wants to scuba.
LobstaMan

Perhaps, but then again it may filter out those that are just destined to drop out. Also many divers head out for their open water chek-out dives with no idea of what lurks below. I logged 91 skin-dives in 2004, the year before I was certified, I was 47 then. Maybe I am easy to amuse.

It may not be good for the industry or used gear market but it wouuld probably reduce the sports drop-out rate.:11:

Pete

 

[ScubaSarus]

I would also give a big thumbs up fpr some Beavertail snorkeling on a calm day.