Are you afraid to snorkel?

[MAKmom]

I'm afraid to Snorkel.
I decided to try it at Typhoon Lagoon last year because I figured DISNEY Fish would be nicer. My thinking is Disney would not let me do anything that was not safe. I got to the front of the line... PANIC. I took the Chicken Exit.

Next year my family wants to swim with the Dolphins at Discovery Cove. I told DH maybe I would just skip the Dolphin part he said well how did you do feeding them & I had to admit I didn't, I never touched them & no one noticed.

Fast Forward to this year. We leave in 7 days & I want to try again at Typhoon. Any advice?

 

[ADisneygirl]

I went snorkeling twice at Castaway Cay ~~ the private Disney island the DCL takes you to. I had never done it before, but I figured Disney would keep me safe enough. They have a large predator net that they have strung all along the edge of their snorkeling area to keep sharks out I guess. As I went swimming by, I imagined the sharks from Finding Nemo (Bruce and friends) all sitting just on the other side of that net, knife and forks in their hands waiting for a chance to get through!

Actually, a barricuda did swim in front of me, and that was enough to get me to turn around and get out! I was glad I experienced it though.

 

[4cruisin]

Would it be possible for you to practice in a pool before you go on your trip? You might be more comfortable if you have had some time to get used to the mask and snorkle beforehand. I have snorkled many times and enjoy it but once in Belize, I was a little uncomfortable because there was a strong current and a ton of fish around me. I didn't panic but didn't like having to deal with both issues at the same time.

Just try to relax and breathe normally with the snorkle. If you are not comfortable, I would not try it until your feel certain you can do it.

Good Luck and have a great trip!

 

[MAKmom]

I went snorkeling twice at Castaway Cay ~~ the private Disney island the DCL takes you to. I had never done it before, but I figured Disney would keep me safe enough. They have a large predator net that they have strung all along the edge of their snorkeling area to keep sharks out I guess. As I went swimming by, I imagined the sharks from Finding Nemo (Bruce and friends) all sitting just on the other side of that net, knife and forks in their hands waiting for a chance to get through!

Actually, a barricuda did swim in front of me, and that was enough to get me to turn around and get out! I was glad I experienced it though.

OMG I would Die. Our best friends of 30 years live to Snorkel. I can not vacation with them at this point. I just admitted this to them.

 

[MAKmom]

Would it be possible for you to practice in a pool before you go on your trip? You might be more comfortable if you have had some time to get used to the mask and snorkle beforehand. I have snorkled many times and enjoy it but once in Belize, I was a little uncomfortable because there was a strong current and a ton of fish around me. I didn't panic but didn't like having to deal with both issues at the same time.

Just try to relax and breathe normally with the snorkle. If you are not comfortable, I would not try it until your feel certain you can do it.

Good Luck and have a great trip!

Great idea! I can buy one & try it at the BC Pool. The mouth peice did me in. I have a very small mouth & should have had a childs mouth thing. Thanks

 

[luvflorida]

I LOVE snorkeling!!!! The last place I went snorkeling was in Hawaii and it was absolutely amazing!!!!

Please don't give up, give it another try!! Buy a mask and snorkel set and try it out in your bathtub at home. I know it sounds funny, but it's a good way to get comfortable with it. Fill the tub with water and hop in. Practice putting your face in the water with just the mask on and keeping your mouth closed. When you're comfortable with that, practice with just the snorkeling tube by putting it in your mouth, holding your nose closed and breathing with it under water.

Attach the tube to your mask and practice putting your head under water and breathing. Take your time, nobody is watching! Keep practicing until you're comfortable with breathing through the tube with your head under water. Try not to take rapid breaths, just breathe slowly and calmly. If your tube has a purge valve, you can blow hard and push any water out through the top if it gets in the tube.

Another excellent way to practice is in a swimming pool. Once you get the hang of the breathing, the rest will come easily. Your fins will help you move easily through the water. The best thing to remember is to stay calm, breath slowly, kick your fins slowly, and RELAX!!!!!

You mentioned skipping the dolphin swim at Discovery Cove. If you do the dolphin swim, there is no snorkeling involved. We went a few years back when Discovery Cove had just opened and for the dolphin swim you don't even have to put your head under the water. It's a wonderful experience!

At Discovery Cove you can snorkel in the winding lazy river or with the Manta Rays. Being in with the Manta Rays can be a bit intimidating. Some of them are pretty big and very friendly!! They scared the heck out of my youngest daughter!!

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. If I'm snorkeling in the ocean, I always make sure there are people further out from the beach than I am. I figure that way I'm safe from any approaching sharks. Just kidding. Well, kind of.

 

[phisigprincess]

Just to let you know - we got my mom all the way to the pool and right before you push off to go across the pool she looked at the drop and panicked. She got out of the pool and left. So you're not the only one!!!

 

[pammypooh]

On our honeymoon 14 years ago, my DH and I went snorkeling at Typhoon Lagoon....well he snorkeled, and I swam thru the snorkeling area. I felt rush and the staff did not take the time to be sure everyone was comfortable using the snorkeling equipment. I just did not get how to use it, but I knew that I could swim, so that's what I did. Picture a very slow moving group of people, then basically a speed boat passing them by. My DH still makes fun of me for it!

But last February I redeemed myself. We went to Discovery Cove. It was perfect. We got our snorkel gear and the lazy river is the best place to practice. There is no rush, no predators to fear. I just took my time and I relaxed and it worked. I loved it.

As for the dolphin experience, our whole family did it. My youngest daughter did not go out in the deep end for the ride back in, though. We loved the contact with our dolphin, Capricorn. He was huge and it was amazing to feel his strength as he pulled you in to the shallow water as you held onto him.

We hope to visit Discovery Cove again. We found it to be a really beautiful and well worth the money.

Good luck to you!

Pam

 

[anewvance]

I do not like to snorkel. I don't like to know what's in the water. We vacation on the Gulf coast of Florida every year and I always say I'm not going swimming (I don't like the idea of anything being in the water, not just sharks) but I always end up in there but freaking out the whole time.

My dh loves to scuba dive and snorkel.. let him have at it, let's just call it one hobby we don't "share".

 

[Captain Brain]

I am afraid because I am afraid of getting bit by a shark or something around that line....

 

[disykat]

I've been thinking about this because we're going to Hawaii in a month. My brother is a dive operator there - complete with a boat, etc. Although I won't do scuba, I know we'll be snorkeling. I have done it before off the shore and enjoyed it. I keep worrying about doing it off a boat though. I can handle it when my feet can touch bottom, but I'm terrified of being out in the open water with other things swimming around! I know he'll want to take me on a night manta "dive" and I don't think I'll be up for it!

 

[Disney-Kim]

I chickened out at Typhoon Lagoon years ago too. but it was more because I felt clausterphobic with the mask on. couldn't do it. still don't. DH loves to snorkel. I don't.

 

[Eeyore2142]

I actually have a huge fear of fish, so I have issues snorkeling. (yes, I am a freak) My fear is so bad that the fish tank I have at home had to have only cute, non-scary looking fish in it. I lose it if I see a sucker fish.

That said, I did a dolphin swim a couple years ago and it was amazing. I had to gear myself up for it thinking that they would have eaten any fish in the water. I recommend doing it.

 

[MAKmom]

Thank You for the great replies, instructions & moral support everyone!

This is the second part. I am afraid of animals. Animals love me. Everyone says its so weird how animals love me. But I am real uncomfortable with animal touching me. I pet dogs because they always roll over in front of me.

Any advice on how to overcome the fear of getting in the water with fish...let alone touch a Dolphin?

 

[Fantasmic303]

I don't have any advice, but BOY is it comforting to know I'm not alone!!

I have fish anxieties too, though somehow I've managed to swim with the dolphins twice, with a third time lined up this summer. The dolphins aren't fish, so I can deal with them...it's whatever else is in the water that scares me. I did NOT, however, feed them. In fact, my response when the trainer asked if I'd like to was, "Do I have to?"

I used to think I just hated them. All kinds. Even cooked kinds or kinds that come in a can. Then we went to Discovery Cove and I had a panic attack underneath the water in the snorkeling lagoon. Well, actually, first I panicked pretty close to the shore when I saw real fish coming near me, but my sister yelled, "YOU ARE PAYING $250 FOR THIS - YOU ARE GOING TO DO IT, AND YOU ARE GOING TO ENJOY IT."

Then I started "snorkeling", saw the big ugly fish under me, in front of me, ALL AROUND ME, and started freaking out under the water. Full out anxiety attack. By the way - no one seems to hear you scream when you're under water.

I showed her though...I may have done it, but I did NOT enjoy it.

 

[almacdonald]

The fish are probably more frightened of you touching them than you are of the fish touching you! Things appear closer than they actually are through the snorkel mask so even though it looks like you're up close to the fish you've got more room than you think!

 

[flatline]

the bathtub trick mentioned earlier is the best one I know to get used to it. then move into a pool. the most important thing to learn is how to clear your snorkel. the water rushing into your mouth can freak some people out.

it's not a natural thing, so people can be intimidated. my daughter has been doing it since she was six.

I snorkel and dive here all of the time. once you get adjusted to underwater life, it's a breeze. there's no reason to fear it.

 

[Fantasmic303]

The fish are probably more frightened of you touching them than you are of the fish touching you!

Yeah, I don't think so.

 

[MAKmom]

the bathtub trick mentioned earlier is the best one I know to get used to it. then move into a pool. the most important thing to learn is how to clear your snorkel. the water rushing into your mouth can freak some people out.

it's not a natural thing, so people can be intimidated. my daughter has been doing it since she was six.

I snorkel and dive here all of the time. once you get adjusted to underwater life, it's a breeze. there's no reason to fear it.

UMMM... What water rushing in your mouth no one told me water rushes in your mouth.

 

[MAKmom]

I don't have any advice, but BOY is it comforting to know I'm not alone!!

I have fish anxieties too, though somehow I've managed to swim with the dolphins twice, with a third time lined up this summer. The dolphins aren't fish, so I can deal with them...it's whatever else is in the water that scares me. I did NOT, however, feed them. In fact, my response when the trainer asked if I'd like to was, "Do I have to?"

I used to think I just hated them. All kinds. Even cooked kinds or kinds that come in a can. Then we went to Discovery Cove and I had a panic attack underneath the water in the snorkeling lagoon. Well, actually, first I panicked pretty close to the shore when I saw real fish coming near me, but my sister yelled, "YOU ARE PAYING $250 FOR THIS - YOU ARE GOING TO DO IT, AND YOU ARE GOING TO ENJOY IT."



Then I started "snorkeling", saw the big ugly fish under me, in front of me, ALL AROUND ME, and started freaking out under the water. Full out anxiety attack. By the way - no one seems to hear you scream when you're under water.

I showed her though...I may have done it, but I did NOT enjoy it.

Hey that's Clay! Very Cool. I'm very easily distracted