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Renting snorkel gear

Author: Adam (---.hsd1.or.comcast.net)
Date: 04-26-07 12:57

Can we rent snorkel gear somewhere when we get off the ferry? Do they rent it over at flamenco beach? Suggestions?

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Re: Renting snorkel gear

Author: julia Huff (199.198.220.---)
Date: 04-26-07 16:56

right when you get off the ferry, there is a shop right there. Flamenco beach has it too, but for sale, i dont think you can rent it

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Re: Renting snorkel gear

Author: Kristi (---.dsl.milwwi.ameritech.net)
Date: 04-26-07 17:16

We rented our snorkel gear for $10/day from Jerry at Jerry's Jeeps, which is right across from the airport on the road to Flamenco Beach. Jerry's great!

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Re: Renting snorkel gear

Author: Debbie (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date: 04-27-07 21:12

The shop at the ferry dock is Culebra Divers.

http://culebradivers.com/

Happy Diving!
Debbie

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Re: Renting snorkel gear

Author: Yayma Martinez (---.houston.res.rr.com)
Date: 04-27-07 23:19

Can the people who rent the snorkel gear also give you a crash course? I'll be in Culebra sometime between June 14 and July 1 (I had planned on earlier travel but had to change the tix) and have always wanted to snorkel....

Texas-sized heart, small town love....

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Re: Renting snorkel gear

Author: richard (---.res.east.verizon.net)
Date: 04-28-07 03:18

snorkel - inhale when you put the mask on to create the seal (test when you pick it up) usu. they'll check to make sure you have the right size before you leave.

start with shallow water until you gain confidence and don't need to "escape" and stand. don't freak when you go underwater and all you really hear is your own cardiovascular system. it's kinda soothing.

some people "free dive" with snorkel, but for a first timer, just paddling around at the surface is great.

after I got over the breathing/claustrophobia thing, it was the change in depth perception that was the oddest. (objects through the mask are farther than they seem)

and that's about it.

but if you ask for pointers, I'm sure they'll be gladly given.

but, scuba - classes. definitely.

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Re: Renting snorkel gear

Author: Michael (---.nycmny.east.verizon.net)
Date: 04-28-07 06:11

Hydrate a lot! Your body loses more water than nomally! When freediving make sure to hold your nose and unpop your ears right away, the first 3 feet. The body has all kinds of reflexes to help you use less oxygen under water - once you know about them, you will feel more secure to dive closer to those beautiful creatures :)

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael

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Re: Renting snorkel gear

Author: Yayma Martinez (---.houston.res.rr.com)
Date: 04-28-07 17:13

Those are all great suggestions! thanks for the input. I would have never thought of dehydration!!!!

I'll at least give it a try. I'm pretty sure my 7 yr old son will end up learning before me, but at least we'll have fun trying it....

Texas-sized heart, small town love....

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Re: Renting snorkel gear

Author: richard (---.washdc.east.verizon.net)
Date: 04-29-07 04:47

also bear in mind, the water is so dang clear you can get a nasty sunburn while swimming.

watch for the fresh aloe vera growing wild (guess that's redundant) if you have no cream the next day.

and about the vision comment, unless you have severe problems you can prob. pass on the adhesive (to the mask) lenses. I tried them once and found there was no need given the natural magnification (I'm near-sighted).

I didn't have contacts at the time and assumed I'd need something. wrong.

just let your arms lie along your side while you flipper along pretending you're a squid and your legs are the tentacles. (we'll just sort of skip over where that puts the beak on all of us...)

I'd bet that would lift any anxiety if I was 7.

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Re: Renting snorkel gear

Author: Yayma Martinez (---.houston.res.rr.com)
Date: 04-29-07 10:46

Richard,

I was about to ask about glasses. I'm near-sighted myself and can't wear contacts. This makes it hard to enjoy any activity on the water. So, you are saying I won't need anything? BTW, I can totally see myself doing the "squid maneuver"

What are everyone's favorite snorkeling spots? Places without much current? You know those fit for beginners? I have been to Flamenco before and the water seemed pretty calm. Not sure about others.

Thanks

Texas-sized heart, small town love....

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Re: Renting snorkel gear

Author: Kristi (---.dsl.milwwi.ameritech.net)
Date: 04-29-07 18:00

For my first time snorkeling I really enjoyed Melones. The water was very clear and quite calm. You don't need to go very far from shore. Everyone raves about Carlos Rosario, but for me, it was a bit more intimidating as a beginner. You need to swim out further and I found the water to be rougher. What I saw was beautiful, but if I did it again, I would have started at Flamenco and Melones, then gone to Carlos Rosario when I was a little more comfortable. Just my opinion.

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Re: Renting snorkel gear

Author: richard (---.washdc.east.verizon.net)
Date: 04-29-07 18:14

vision:

I don't know what my prescription is, I can read a book or walk around the house w/o but couldn't read a street sign from across the street, and if I tried to drive, I'd be a menace.

but they do sell these lenses for about 30-35$ that apply to the inside of your mask. the dive shop (now gift shop I hear) cheerfully refunded me when I realized I didn't need them.

if you buy them, I'd save the receipt and leave them in the package and try going without at first.

or go back and pick up a pair if you feel you do need them.

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Re: Renting snorkel gear

Author: Michael (---.nycmny.east.verizon.net)
Date: 04-30-07 08:05

my goggles are corrected - vision: -3 diopters. would not go without them!

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael

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Re: Renting snorkel gear

Author: Doug (---.aurorasys.com)
Date: 04-30-07 14:58

Since seeing stuff is the point of snorkling, I think it is worth going to a reputable dive store, prescription, in hand, and buying prescription inserts for your mask. They don't custom grind them, they come in fractional diopter increments, so they just get very close to your prescription. The difference is wonderful. If your prescription is very mild you might not need this, but my larger concern is that you won't see detail and mistakenly think, "What's the big deal?" If money is a concern, fit yourself in person at a sporting goods store and then order on-line.

Doug

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Re: Renting snorkel gear

Author: richard (---.res.east.verizon.net)
Date: 04-30-07 16:58

I agree, Doug, if you need 'em, get 'em. utterly pointless otherwise.

I wanted to point out they are available, and you're right, maybe better picked up beforehand, given availability issues on the island.

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Re: Renting snorkel gear

Author: Yayma Martinez (---.houston.res.rr.com)
Date: 05-01-07 06:30

I'm glad this was brought up. I guess it's true, seeing stuff IS the point of snorkeling. I'm making a list of things to do before leaving and "picking up lenses" has been added to it.

You have all been great!

Richard, Doug, Michael: what do you think would be the best starting point. Kristi had a few suggestions....

Texas-sized heart, small town love....

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Re: Renting snorkel gear

Author: Doug (---.aurorasys.com)
Date: 05-01-07 15:42

I'd ask around about visibility and go by that for the first day. If the trades are prevailing, the west side of the island is often very calm and clear. Carlos Rosario, Melones, Tamarindo and Punta Soldado, as well as the reefs on the west and north side of Luis Pena are good. Offshore storms can change things, stirring sand and creating turbidity.

Doug

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Re: Renting snorkel gear

Author: Michael (---.nycmny.east.verizon.net)
Date: 05-01-07 16:00

I second Doug on this one :)

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael

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Re: Renting snorkel gear

Author: Yayma Martinez (---.houston.res.rr.com)
Date: 05-01-07 17:44

Wow, you guys (by guys I mean both male and female) are AWESOME!!

Now I just have to find a place to stay that is not too expensive.... The cheaper it is, the longer we can stay there. I'll browse other threads in this forum for suggestions...

Once again, than you all for your insight and advice.

Texas-sized heart, small town love....

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Re: Renting snorkel gear

Author: richard (---.washdc.east.verizon.net)
Date: 05-01-07 17:50

Doug and Michael know better than I.

I can only address fears and disabilities...

oh yeah, one other thing - water socks for wading - avoid nasty urchin stings.

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Re: Renting snorkel gear

Author: Pam (---.hsd1.ma.comcast.net)
Date: 05-07-07 17:59

On the topic of snorkel gear... any suggestions for keeping your snorkel mask from fogging?

Thanks!

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Re: Renting snorkel gear

Author: Debbie (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date: 05-07-07 18:25

Yes.

1) Good old fashioned spit. If you're a smoker, there is supposedly something in nicotine spit that makes the mask stay clearer longer. I have seen non-smokers buy a pack of cigarettes, break some tobacco into the mask, mix it with water and rinse; same effect.

2) Dish soap or baby shampoo. Use a very small amount, rub it in very well, and rinse it out very well.

3) Commercial products like 500psi and SeaDrops, SeaDrops being our favorite. 500psi can be purchased at Culebra Divers, I believe. They have it on the boat, so I would assume they have it in the shop.

http://divemar.com/mcnett/docs/seadrops.html

Happy Diving!
Debbie

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Re: Renting snorkel gear

Author: MJ (---.prtc.net)
Date: 05-08-07 09:15

Island Woman cart now sells smokers' spit straight from the source. Buy Local!

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Re: Renting snorkel gear

Author: Michael (---.nycmny.east.verizon.net)
Date: 05-08-07 11:04

Is that canned or you have to bring your own container?

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael

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Re: Renting snorkel gear

Author: MJ (---.prtc.net)
Date: 05-08-07 11:13

Bring your own mask...freshness, as always, makes all the difference (haven't gotten the canning plant going yet).

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Re: Renting snorkel gear

Author: richard (---.washdc.east.verizon.net)
Date: 05-08-07 11:19

is there anything nicotine can't do?

topical analgesic, metabolism stimulant, expectorant, mask de-fogger...

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Re: Renting snorkel gear

Author: MJ (---.prtc.net)
Date: 05-08-07 11:50

Don't forget its worming properties...

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Re: Renting snorkel gear

Author: richard (---.washdc.east.verizon.net)
Date: 05-08-07 11:58

I've also heard it can cleanse houses of unwanted beings.

or at least evangelicals.

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