Crossword Genius

Swimming in the sea around reef regularly using a snorkel? (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

breathing

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'swimming' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I can't see?

'sea around reef regularly using a snorkel?' is the wordplay.
'sea' becomes 'the blue' (the blue).
'around' indicates the central letters.
'regularly' indicates alternate letters (regularly take one letter, leave next etc.).
'using a snorkel?' becomes 'athing' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
The centre of 'theblue' is 'b'.
The alternating letters of 'reef' are 're'.
'b'+'re'+'athing'='BREATHING'

'in the' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for breathing that I've seen before include "could be rough for Hellenes" , "Respiration" , "(Of wine) exposed to fresh air" , "It's inspiring" , "showing a sign of life" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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