Mountains to Sea Snorkelling

When the permission forms came out I took them home, showed my parents, and told them I didn’t want to go. Mr Miller found me out. He asked me “What is going on?”, because he did not have my permission form handed in. He asked me why I didn’t hand it in. I told him that my family was “planning” something else on that day. Actually, I cannot swim and the idea of snorkelling in the sea terrified me. I am scared of deep water. I was scared that I would float out away from land and never be seen again.

I continued to talk with Mr Miller and I shared my fears. He was able to understand my fears and help me understand that I would be really floaty and would not be alone in the water. We got to practise our snorkelling at Keith Spry pools before we went into the open water. I was able to get used to wearing a mask with a snorkel, kicking my feet with fins on and, floating with the help of a body board. It made me feel more comfortable in the water. I was finally able to relax and smile. I could see that I could do it.

On the day of the open water, I was nervous and excited. When it came to my turn to get in the water I was relieved to be with Pritesh my friend and Mr Miller. I had a big nervous grin on my face and could not stop giggling and laughing. I fell over my fins because I didn’t walk backwards into the water. I felt awkward until I was lying flat, floating. I could feel the cold water trickling down my back and I was glad to have a warm wetsuit on.

All my fears drifted away as we paddled away from the land. I saw a lot of seaweed, small fish and, an octopus! The octopus was camouflaged on the rocks. I could see its gills moving as it breathed the water in and out of its body. Suddenly, it changed colour to black and started moving. We followed from the surface as it went to find a new hiding place. We spent the remaining time swimming all around the rocks and for a short time on top of the rocks as I got stranded. I was disappointed to be called back to the beach. I didn’t want it to end.