Snorkeling

Snorkeling (British spelling: snorkelling) is the practice of swimming on or through a body of water while equipped with a diving mask, a shaped tube called a snorkel, and usually swimfins. In cooler waters, a wetsuit may also be worn. Using this equipment allows the snorkeler to observe underwater attractions for extended periods of time with relatively little effort.

It is a popular recreational activity, particularly at tropical resort and scuba diving locations. Snorkelling is also employed by scuba divers when on the surface, and search and rescue teams may snorkel as part of a water-based search.

The primary attraction of snorkeling is the opportunity to observe underwater life in a natural setting without the complicated equipment and training required for scuba diving, in addition to the exhaled bubbles of scuba-diving equipment. Snorkeling is also a means to an end in popular sports such as underwater hockey, underwater ice hockey, underwater rugby and spearfishing.

Variants and related activities Bog snorkelling - A individual sport, popular in the United Kingdom and Australia (pictured above)
Free-diving - Any form of diving without breathing apparatus, but often referring to competitive apnea as a sport.
Scuba-diving - A form of untethered diving using a self contained portable breathing apparatus, usually for pastime.
Snuba - Trade name for an underwater swimming system using air supplied from the surface.
Spearfishing - Fishing with a spear often with snorkelling equipment, either for competitivesport or to obtain food.
Underwater hockey - A competitive team-sport played in swimming pools using snorkelling equipment, sticks and a puck.
Underwater rugby - A competitive team-sport played in deeper swimming pools using snorkelling equipment, baskets and a ball.

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