Blog 5: Jack and Olivia

 Snorkel Practice Day Blogs 


When writing this, Jack and I decided it was best form to start with a joke for the pleasure of the readers. Thus, I present to you the beauty of Google: 


Have you ever stopped and realized drinking water through a straw is the opposite of snorkeling? 


Granted, during our first snorkel practice day, some of us did actually spend equal amounts of time accidentally breathing in water as air, but at the end of the day, this ratio was much improved. 


Still, it was quite the learning curve. For some of us (@ Jack, a competitive swimmer), snorkeling came easier. And for others, myself included, there was a lot of new information: how to properly adjust your goggles, how to spit in your goggles to prevent fog, how to deal with high water pressure during diving, etc. 


These lessons also represented the first real opportunity for group bonding. After over a year of significant social isolation, getting to know our classmates in an outside of school context was crucial to forming a sense of connection within the group. Whether it was locker room convos or DJ messing up the coins in our diving assessment, these small moments were meaningful in the long run. 


However, one thing we all acknowledged during and after our lessons was how excited we were to have this opportunity. Unlike other GSL trips who cannot wade past knee level, we are able to swim and snorkel fully submerged. Being able to do it ultimately allows us to better connect with the Bahaman environment while we’re there. The marine ecosystem is such a critical component to the Bahamas and by exploring that environment, we are able to not only expand our own skill set but also gain a deeper appreciation for the place we’re staying. 


As our time to write is running out to reflect on our snorkeling practice, we would like to conclude with a banger. 


How do snorkelers communicate? 

They use speech bubbles! (Or in our case, the very fancy underwater sign language we developed during our snorkel practices) 


Cheers!  

Jack and Olivia

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