Fear Factor?

[deejayjay]

Hubby is a strong and fearless swimmer. I am a weak swimmer and scared of deep water. I wear a snorkle vest and try real hard to overcome fears when snorkling, and am getting much braver.We have snorkled all the north shore beaches, Little Lamsure, and salt pond bay. We've snorkled from Francis bay to Maho bay, Hawknest to Gibney, Tip to tip at Salt pond and Lamsur,Vies, and Waterlemon. The back side of trunk cay terrifies me, the deep water you cross to get to Waterlemon terrifies me, and I had to get out before I reached the tips of Lamsur or Salt pond due to the fear factor. Bright clear water with lots to look at,(to distract me) is ok when it gets deeper. But, when the water gets deep and starts to look darker in color its really scary. We've (Hubby especially), wanted to do Yawzi point, Kiddle Bay, and Haulover bay, but are afraid they may be too scary for the big chicken. I need info from people who have been there on the fear factor in these places. We'll be there in Apr. Thanks.

[deejayjay]

I must add. Even though the swim to waterlemon and th back side of trunk cay are terrifying, I do them anyway, and have done them numerous times to get to the good stuff. So I am a good sport about enduring the fear if its short in duration, but could not have an entire snorkle in a scary place.

[loria]

hmmmm, if you just stay on the side of yawzi and don't go all the way around the point (which isn't really that interesting IMO) then it's pretty col--sometimes it is a bit surgy, but there is a lot to look at to keep you distracted--
smae thing at kiddle, stick to the sides and you will be fine. out in the middle, you might see a turtle, but it is deep and a bit dark-ish, so stick to the sides and i thin you will be fine--and you don't sound at all like you are fearful!

[sailorgirl]

Find some friends to go along. That way you can snorkel to your comformt level and let hubby snorkle to his.

[Gromit]

Here's my thing... especially when you're dealing with open water (or getting out to the points)... your mental state makes a big difference.

You have to have some confidence and if you aren't you probably shouldn't push it. That's when you can get yourself into trouble and something can go from challenging to all out panic.

Quite frankly it's not worth it because you can get hurt and those around you can too.

Know your skill level, know your comfort zone and enjoy yourself within those boundaries.

Find hubby a buddy who is a as comfortable as he is and let them go out together.

I'm not saying don't try new things, I'm just saying not to guilt yourslef into doing something you're not completely comfortable with.

[Connie]

It's great that you snorkel with a vest. I'm a good swimmer and never thought I needed one, but it makes it so much easier. It's very important to relax when you're snorkeling and focus on what you're looking at.

That being said, always swim with a buddy. Don't do it alone. I've had more then my fair share of nerves and one instance when I really panicked.

If you are having a hard time, rip your snorkel gear off and float on your back.

[deejayjay]

Thanks for all the advice. We never go alone, and I do work on relaxation alot. I have also been known to rip off my snorkle stuff and float on my back. I also remember clutching a mooring ball from time to time. I actually sometimes shut my eyes and hubby pulls me past scary spots and I just don't look. Such as the deep water to get to waterlemon, and the far end of trunk cay. However, does anyone have any specific info on Haulover and Kiddle bays. They look like they might be scarier ( when looking from the shore) Especially Kiddle bay. It's just sort of a scary looking place. But, I have read that they have good snorkling. Any opinions? Also, We would love to go with friends, but they are all too poor. Unfortunately, we can't afford to pay for everyone. Thanks again.

[BillyD]

Haulover north is the best snorkeling (IMO). You don't need to traverse really deep water to get to the good stuff. Go west (left) from the shore. When you get to the "good stuff" there is a bank that drops really fast down into the channel and you get that creepy dark blue don't-go-over-the-dropoff Nemo feeling, but you can just hug a bit closer to shore if it becomes too cool...err I mean scary.

Conditions here can be spotty surf-wise. Pretty easy to tell when it just ain't gonna be worth it to snorkel.

[djmom]

I agree with Gromit, for your safety and your husband's. You should only go so far.

I think it is great you want to do it, but if you are not a strong swimmer it is important to remember: you are your husband's buddy too. If HE gets in trouble, how are you going to help him? Maybe he is a strong swimmer but that doesnt mean that he can't get in trouble- medical issue, getting bitten or stung, coral, overtired, who knows.

Would you be able to "tow" him in? Especially if he isn't wearing a vest?

So you are already doing some pretty hard stuff, be proud and don't beat yourself up. Enjoy it and let him go with someone else.

I bet you have seen almost everything anyways. You have been to lots of great places.

[liamsaunt]

Kiddle Bay: based on what you have said about what scares you, I am not sure that you would enjoy this snorkle. You are heading out to explore an area where you'll be swimming in between rock walls that form a sort of ravine. The water is pretty deep, and because of the rock walls, it's a little dark. There are lots of interesting things to see here--we found a nurse shark, turtle, pompano, spotted drum, etc. But I don't know if you would enjoy it. One positive is that it is that you don't have to go too far from shore to find things to look at.

Yawzi Point: Again, to get to the good stuff, you need to swim through some pretty deep water. You travel along a rocky shoreline and out around a point. Once you are on your way, there is really no place to get out of the water if you panic. Also, as someone else said, it does get "surgy." I would say "no" to Yawzi Point, even more so than Kiddle Bay.

Haulover: Yes! You will like Haulover. Especially Haulover North. The water is not deep, it is well lit, and there are tons of corals and fish to look at. There's also a sea grass area with conch. Since you hate deep water, just stay in the area where the reef is close to shore...there's no need to go further out. The reef is on the left as you look at the water. Exploring along the rocks on the right side is fun too. It's very shallow and there's lot of schools of small fish.

Haulover South does get deep and dark in the middle of the bay, but if you stay to the rocks along the sides, I think you would be fine. Good coral and some larger fish.

Last thing: have you thought about wearing a snorkle vest? It might help your peace of mind.

[ScottB]

I think maybe you should explore exactly what it is about the deeper water that is freaking you out. Is it the deep water, or not knowing, or possibly bigger sea life? Then meet those fears head on, and try and develope confidence in the exact areas that are scaring you.

I'm always amazed and how bouyant I am in the salt water. I don't have to move a muscle, and float like a cork. Knowing that alone gives me confidence to not worry about much out there. I also know that most of the sea-life I see is completely harmless. I am a strong swimmer, so I guess that helps with the confidence thing as well.

Identify your fears, meet it head on, and overcome it.
Sounds like you are already doing a great job, so maybe just more time out there will help strengthen your confidence.

[emptynester]

My husband and I often will snorkel arm in arm which keeps me warm and may help work on the fear. We started it when our kids were small and it has continued through 33 years of marriage. Sharon

[deejayjay]

Thanks to all for the info. I do wear a snorkle vest. I don't always inflate it. I'm working on my fears. I can now do deep and clear/bright. Still working slowly on the scary darker deep. My husband and I often disagree on what is deep and scary vs deep and not scary. Thanks for the specific info on Haulover and Kiddle. We've been married 31 yrs and often snorkle with elbows linked like previous poster. He's always good to ask my permission if he wants to venture down to look at something closer, and always takes time to see that I feel safe.