Snorkelling is not an activity meant just for the tropics. The waters of Canada's lakes and rivers, although cold, offer a splendid opportunity for exploration and discovery of nature's many aquatic treasures and secrets. Snorkelling is a popular summer activity in many parts of Canada and the northern United States and no trip to the lakeside cottage or seashore should be complete without a mask, snorkel and set of fins. Of course, an exposure suit might also be needed.

All diving equipment manufacturers offer snorkelling packages that are designed specifically for the sport. These often in clude a full foot fin, mask and snorkel. And if snorkelling is to be done solely in warm tropical waters, or the waters at the cottage are warm, then a full foot fin would work well. Fins designed purely for recreational snorkelling are generally quite flexible and there are a few styles to choose from. But fins that are meant for scuba diving can also be used for snorkelling. These are generally open heeled, a bit heavier and with a more rigid blade and can be an advantage to those who have an eye towards scuba diving in the future. In our waters, many snorkellers opt for an open heeled fin and neoprene booties, which keep the foot warmer for longer periods of time.

Fins should fit snugly but not too tight, the foot should not wobble around in the foot pocket. They should have easily adjustable straps. The many different styles may be a bit confusing and for that reason many shops will let you pool test a pair of fins from their rental department before you buy.

Any mask that is on the market will work well for snorkelling. All are very comfortable, with silicone skirts and adjustable straps but a decision must be made when confronted by the many styles. Masks can have one, two, three, four or even six lenses or windows. A greater number of windows allows for greater peripheral vision which some people like and others may find distracting. The number of lenses is a personal choice and will require trying on the various styles. To ensure a proper seal, when a mask is positioned on the face, a slight inhalation through the nose should provide a good and comfortable seal. Nearly all masks on the market can be fitted with prescription lenses. The silicone skirt may also come in clear or black.

One of the biggest problems with snorkelling used to be the snorkel. More often than not, water would flood into the tube, forcing us to constantly expend a great deal of energy in order to clear the snorkel or choke back the constant annoying trickle. But that was then. The simple tube snorkel is still available but many snorkels are now "dry" designs that incorporate some means of deterring water from splashing into the tube at the top. And at the bottom, built-in reservoirs with one-way valves collect the small amount of water that may enter. Clearing these snorkels is a simple matter of exhaling a brief puff of air.

The main feature to look for when choosing snorkelling equipment is comfort in both fit and function. The only remaining choice will be from the wide array of colours.

TUSA Platina fins have a flush upper surface with the foot pocket on the underside of the fin for reduced drag. A stiffening plate on the bottom of the fin gives stiff support to the blade on the power, down stroke. On the up stroke the plate is forced away from the blade making for an easier passage of the blade through the water.

In some designs, such as the Tusa FF-4 snorkelling fin, part of Tusa's Reef Tourer line, the foot pocket and blade are one piece and made of the same material, in this case, rubber.

In other designs such as the Tusa FF-2, the foot pocket and blade are made of two separate materials, allowing for a slightly more rigid blade to be used with a soft, and comfortable foot pocket.

TUSA Imprex fins come in three sizes with blades made from a variety of materials in different parts of the blade in order to provide an efficient combination of power and comfort.

The Cetus Symmetric fins from TUSA are one of the few fins on the market that have a left and right. When worn properly they resemble the shape of a whale's tail and are designed to add stability to the downward stroke of the fin, resulting in greater efficiency.

The TUSA Platina snorkel has both of these features plus it is oval in cross section, making it more hydrodynamic. It is also curved in such a way as to be at the optimum angle when you are face down in the water.