reef snorkelling for weaker swimmers

[Kevin Hampson]

Handbags back in the cupboard and getting back to the original thread.

TUSA make a snorkelling vest £43.95 from http://www.watersportswarehouse.co.uk It may be just the thing if your planning on doing a lot of snorkelling. It looks a bit like an airline life jacket without the CO2 cylinder

Regards
Kevin

[Steve Fifield]

Now, I must put on my Jelly shoes and stand up firmly on the coral in defence of Julie H The Power 1, 2, 3, and 4 boats are always there at Pigeon point, and always carry Jelly shoes which they offer swimmers every time. In fact, I've never seen a boat at PP that DOESN'T offer these shoes to tourists, so currently a VERY SMALL proportion of visitors are aware of the problems that they cause.

It is great that visitors to this site can learn so much from it, but please let us remember that very few of us find out enough on our first visit - these things do take time, especially when you are encouraged by the locals, who you trust must know what they are doing.

I've been out on two boat trips, and worn Jelly shoes twice too. I stood on some bits of dead coral rolling around in the sand, which was all that was left in the section of the reef where our boat put down the anchor. This should have been my first clue to the devestation that is being caused, and NO I wouldn't do it again.

Once you know, it is of course obvious, but please give Julie a break, as she had no more intention of harming the reef than any of you. In fact from her description, she only put her feet down on the sand and dead stuff where the damage was already done, just like me. If you want to have a go at someone, have a go at me, 'cos I did it too. Better still, own up if you also did it yourself before you found out, and name the boat that you went on.

If the locals really cared about the reef, they would hand out leaflets about protecting the reef as you entered Pigeon Point (where every first time visitor heads). Perhaps then, we should also encourage the airlines to distribute leaflets to everyone arriving, or to put information in their in-flight magazines?

We never tend to talk about the things that we did wrong in the past, but better to share our mistakes with others, than to condemn someone who just didn't know.

Now in a similar vein, please don't eat the Conch - see:

http://mytobago.info/forum2/viewtopic.php?p=7641#7641

By the way, reef snorkelling for weaker swimmers? Arnos Vale hotel beach, every time, but not for non swimmers or very small children when there is any surf.

Shutting up now.

Steve.