Swimming & Watersports Gear

Here are the SEO-optimised category descriptions for the Watersports & Swimming sections, written with the protective authority of a veteran instructor.

---

SECTION 1: Ear Care

Protect Your Hearing, Save Your Season

Ask any veteran UK diver or open water swimmer what creates the most downtime, and they won’t say decompression sickness. They will say ear infections. The UK environment creates a perfect storm for auditory issues: cold wind, chilled water, and the microscopic life found in inland quarries. At UK Dive Store, we take ear care as seriously as we take regulator servicing. You can’t equalise an infected ear, and pushing it can lead to permanent damage.

The Threat of Cold Water: Surfer’s Ear

Repeated exposure to cold water and wind triggers a defence mechanism in the body known as Exostosis, or “Surfer’s Ear.” This is where the bone in the auditory canal grows to shut out the cold, narrowing the canal and trapping debris. Prevention is the only cure. We stock high-performance vented ear plugs, such as Doc’s Pro Plugs. Unlike standard foam plugs which block your ability to equalise and hear instruction, vented plugs allow a tiny amount of air exchange for pressure balance while keeping the bulk of the freezing water out.

Hygiene and Infection Prevention

For those diving in stagnant water—be it a harbour or a quarry—Swimmer’s Ear (Otitis Externa) is a constant risk. Trapped water breeds bacteria. Our range of drying drops helps evaporate residual moisture and restore the ear’s natural pH balance immediately after the dive.

For divers with chronic issues or perforated eardrums, we also supply specialised masks like the Pro Ear, which keep the ears completely dry within air-filled cups. Don’t wait for the pain to start; protect your ears now and stay in the water.

---

SECTION 2: Snorkelling Sets

Dive Quality Gear for the Surface

There is a fundamental difference between the “snorkelling sets” you find in a supermarket aisle and the equipment sold at a dedicated dive store. One is a toy made of PVC and plastic; the other is life-support equipment adapted for the surface. Whether you are exploring a shallow Cornish cove or buying a set for a tropical holiday, the requirements are the same: comfort, vision, and safety.

Materials Matter: Silicone vs. Plastic

We refuse to sell PVC masks. They warp, leak, and cause skin irritation. All our snorkelling masks feature a 100% silicone skirt. Silicone is hypoallergenic, stays soft in cold water, and moulds to the face for perfect seal integrity. Crucially, our masks use tempered glass lenses. Plastic lenses scratch instantly and can shatter dangerously on impact; tempered glass is the safety standard for a reason.

Handling the Chop

UK coastal waters are rarely flat. A standard tube snorkel simply funnels seawater into your mouth with every wave. We prioritise dry top snorkels equipped with a guard mechanism that seals the tube when submerged or hit by spray. paired with a reliable purge valve to clear any water that does sneak in, these snorkels allow you to focus on surface observation without choking on salt water. Don’t ruin the experience with leaking gear. Buy quality, travel-ready kit that actually works.

---

SECTION 3: Swimming

Stay Dive-Fit All Year Round

Scuba diving in the UK is physically demanding. Hauling twinsets, climbing boat ladders, and finning against the tide requires cardiovascular strength. Swimming is the ultimate conditioning tool for the diver. Whether you are clocking up lengths in the pool or braving the local lake, staying “dive-fit” ensures you burn less gas and enjoy your underwater time more.

Open Water Swimming (OWS) Essentials

Open Water Swimming (OWS) has exploded in popularity across the UK, but the environment presents specific challenges. Unlike the controlled lighting of a pool, lakes and seas have glare. We stock hydrodynamic goggles with polarized lenses and UV protection to cut through the surface reflection, giving you a wider field of vision to spot markers (or jellyfish).

Thermal Protection and Clarity

For the brave souls swimming outdoors in winter, the “ice cream headache” is a real barrier to performance. Our neoprene swim caps and gloves provide essential thermal retention for the head and extremities. For pool training, nothing breaks your rhythm like fogging lenses; our range includes high-quality anti-fog solutions to maintain clarity. Treat your swimming as serious fitness training—because a fit diver is a safer diver.