When kids turn into ducks...

In some places you can access a coral reef from a beach (for instance Heron Island). This can be daunting for kids, though, so I suggest giving them a pool noodle as floatation. They put this under their armpits and across their chest. Try to stay flat on the surface, hold hands if you need to, and slowly kick until you reach the reef.  

Make sure you tell the kids not to touch the reef since coral is sharp and, believe it or not, some of it stings.

For your first time, keep in deep enough water that you are unlikely to kick the reef, even when coming up to chat and if kids get water in their mask, ask them to tread water with their noodle while you slowly pull the bottom of the mask away from their face and let the water out. There’s no really need to take it off their head. If they need to stand up, swim to shallow water and look down before standing.

Now, it’s possible the kids will get the hang of this really quickly and become immersed in watching tropical fish. Even with teens, it’s important that they buddy up and stick with their buddy at all times. Once they feel comfortable, discard the noodle and explore together. AND if the become real fish, they can try diving down to get closer to the coral. To do this, they simply hold their breath, do a duck dive and hold enough breathe in their lungs to exhale when they come up. 

When they reach the surface again, a short, sharp ‘TSS’ into their snorkel will push the water out the top, or through the purge valve at the bottom, and they can breathe again…

There is something absolutely magical about snorkeling. Time suspends and the sound of breath in and out is almost meditative.  Only three more sleeps and I get to show Amber how it works! I’ll tell you next week!