Dive Gear For the Young Ones

It’s natural for SCUBA diving parents to want to impart all their knowledge of underwater exploration to their children, but one thing you can’t really hand down to them is gear. Of all people, divers know how important it is to have the correct size and type of gear in order to be safe and enjoy the sport. Kids as young as 10 can start dipping their toes in the SCUBA pool, so if you want them to love it, make sure they have the necessary equipment. Here are some of our picks from LeisurePro’s great selection of gear for the younger divers.

Henderson Thermoprene 5mm Back Zipper Junior Jumpsuit – $158.99 FREE SHIPPING!

Whether you’re going on a family vacation somewhere warm or starting in the pool, this thermoprene 5mm jumpsuit from Henderson should go the distance with your junior diver. Thermoprene is a superior grade of neoprene that helps retain more heat and reduce water exchange — something we all love, but is especially advantageous for younger divers just starting out. It has been shown to be 75 percent more flexible than standard neoprene, making it easier to don and doff. A great feature of Henderson’s jumpsuits is their glued and blind-stitched seams, offering terrific leak protection and extended product life. The integrated spine pad keeps pressure off the back, while the Freedom Flex knee pads protect the knees and shins from abrasions. If it’s looking like your kid is going to be spending a lot of time blowing bubbles, this jumpsuit is a great starter choice.

Head Pirate Jr. Kids Mask/Snorkel/Fins Set – $39.99 FREE SHIPPING!

If your kids aren’t quite ready for SCUBA but still have a fascination with the underwater world, start them off with this mask/snorkel/fin set from Head. Available in blue or pink, this set includes a mid-size version of the Mares X-Vision mask, which provides the same great function for the smaller faces of youths and teens. The open-heel fins have wide straps and quick-release buckles for easy in and out, and feature vented fin blades to reduce fatigue and cramping. And for total underwater safety, the set also comes with a dry snorkel, which closes off the breathing tube underwater so there’s no risk of breathing in any unexpected water droplets at the surface. Any water that might enter the tube is drained quickly out of the deep reservoir, equipped with a one-way purge valve, located below the mouthpiece. Appease their childhood wonderment with this quality snorkel set!

Speedo Kids Polywog Suit – $22.95

And for the smallest of future SCUBA divers, the Polywog kids suit from Speedo is the ultimate in safety for small children. With integrated foam flotation inserts, there’s no need to have an armload of water wings and flotation devices — the suit is the flotation device! It covers the full torso, as well as halfway down arms and legs, and the material offers UV50+ protection from the sun’s damaging UVA and UVB rays. Get your little swimmer off on the right foot — err, float with this awesome swimsuit! Available in blue or pink designs.