This Easter Monday try something different, challenging and fun – on Easter Monday, April 2, 2018, take part in The Scuba Shop’s 5th Annual Underwater Easter Egg Hunt held this year at Kokomo, Indigo Bay at 9 am. Beach BBQ, beach chairs, fun and games all happening at Kokomo this year! It’s a special occasion on Easter Monday when you can DIVE for EGGS. This is a charity event; all the proceeds will go to the Nature Foundation.
That’s right – an Underwater Easter Egg Hunt! How might you ask? 0ver 1000 colored “eggs” are “laid” in the water in front of Kokomo. Participants, with the use of mask and snorkel or swim goggles, search for the “eggs” and dive down underwater to retrieve them. “Eggs” are then exchanged for raffle tickets. The challenge is in both finding the “eggs” as well as to dive underwater to retrieve them.
Do you need to be able to swim to take part in the Underwater Easter Egg Hunt? The answer is YES! Furthermore, you need to be able to dive down to about 4ft to pick up the eggs off the sand – this is about the same as diving down to the bottom of the deep end of a swimming pool. Do you need to be able to snorkel to take part in the Underwater Easter Egg Hunt? The answer is no, but it will help you get down to the deeper eggs! To challenge the better swimmers and snorkelers, eggs are also placed in the deeper water with depths down to 25ft. While many swimmers are able to use just a pair of swimming goggles to see underwater, a mask, snorkel, and fins will certainly help you to dive down to the deeper depths to pick up the eggs.
This is an event for swimmers of all ages wanting to test how deep they can dive and win great prizes for their efforts. The more eggs you get the more chances you have to win so as eggs are exchanged for raffle tickets they will be recycled back into the water until the time is up.
For those who don’t swim well enough to dive down and get the eggs, extra raffle tickets will also be on sale allowing spectators to join the event and for participants to increase their chances of winning some fabulous prizes.
Besides having lots of fun, this is a fundraising event for the Nature Foundation Sint Maarten. In a continued effort to educate and stress the important role the youth play in the future of nature conservation on St Maarten, the Nature Foundation established the Snorkel Club program with the aim of educating the next generation in snorkeling skills and marine conservation. With more funding, the Nature Foundation will be able to expand their Youth Education Programs.
Where: Kokomo, Indigo Bay
When: Monday 2nd April 2018
Time: 9 am for Registration
Indigo Bay is very excited to participate in this event. On hand will be a bouncy castle, Pannenkoekenhius, cold drinks, snack bar, music games and fun! Bring the whole family to have fun, not just your swimmers.
The key to a successful Underwater Easter Egg Hunt is to be relaxed and stay off the sand.
• The search – With your snorkel gear on, lay flat in the water on your stomach. You want to float gently above the sea floor to avoid churning up the sand which destroys your visibility. Take slow, regular breaths in and out through your snorkel as you swim around in search of eggs.
• Get ready to dive – Once spotted, hover over your egg. Exhale fully, take a normal breath and dive down. Do not hyperventilate.
• The dive – The pike dive is a headfirst surface dive that gets you underwater and heading downwards with the least amount of effort. Keeping your eye on the prize, bend at the waist and head straight down towards the egg – like doing a headstand.
• Don’t forget to equalize – As you descend, pinch your nose closed and blow gently against your pinched nostrils – much like you would when “popping” your ears when flying in a plane.
• Clear your snorkel – When you get back to the surface, exhale through your mouth quickly and forcefully into the snorkel. This blast method of snorkel clearing will remove nearly all the water from your snorkel.
• Don’t forget a carry bag to bring your eggs ashore to claim your raffle tickets.
