Flying Squid off CA Again

[ocbeachbum]

I just read this, thought it was interesting. It seems there's some threads on the board from prior years in which this has happened. Anyone have stories of recent Humboldt squid encounters?

Jumbo squid invade San Diego shores, spook divers

 

[sskasser]

Wow! I would definitely be in the water there if I were within driving distance! That's an incredible occurence.

 

[miketsp]

Wow! I would definitely be in the water there if I were within driving distance! ..snip..

From:
Attack of the giant squid: Terror as 5ft long sea creatures invade Californian coastline | Mail Online

Hundreds of aggressive jumbo flying squid have appeared .... attacking divers....

The 5-foot long sea monsters, which have razor-sharp beaks and toothy tentacles, have been bringing terror to scuba drivers and swimmers on the coast's tourist-packed beaches.

The carnivorous calamari, which can grow up to 100 pounds, came up from the depths last week and swarms of them have pounced on unsuspecting divers.

Some divers have reported tentacles enveloping their masks and yanking at their cameras and gear, leaving many too scared to go in the water.

Stories of too-close encounters with the alien-like cephalopods have chased many veteran divers out of the water and created a whirlwind of excitement among the rest, who are torn between their personal safety and the once-in-a-lifetime chance to swim with the deep-sea giants.

'I wouldn't go into the water with them for the same reason I wouldn't walk into a pride of lions on the Serengeti,' said local diver Mike Bear.

Yet other divers, including Shanda Magill, couldn't resist the chance to see the squid up close.

On a recent night, Magill watched in awe as a dozen squid circled her group, tapping the divers before dashing away.

But the next night, things were different when a large squid surprised Magill by hitting her from behind and grabbing at her with its arms, pulling her sideways in the water.

The powerful creature ripped her buoyancy hose away from her chest and knocked away her light.

When she recovered, she didn't know which direction was up and couldn't find the hose to help her stay afloat as she surfaced

Veteran scuba diver and amateur underwater videographer Roger Uzun swam with a swarm of the creatures for about 20 minutes and said they appeared more curious than aggressive.

He said the animals taste with their tentacles and will touch to determine if people are edible.

 

[drbill]

I am absolutely amazed this story is getting as much press as it is. I wish they'd give the same level of coverage to issues like overfishing, the great garbage patch, etc. Most of the reports have made this such a sensational story it may frighten new divers away.

 

[sskasser]

Yep, I read that...added the prerequisite amount of salt necessary for media coverage/sensationalism...and determined some curious giant squid is a rare opportunity and I love to have the chance to interact with them. They're not man-eaters, just out of place and curious. It certainly wouldn't be the first time I've had a mask ripped off or a reg pulled from my mouth. It'd be worth it.

From:
Attack of the giant squid: Terror as 5ft long sea creatures invade Californian coastline | Mail Online

Hundreds of aggressive jumbo flying squid have appeared .... attacking divers....

The 5-foot long sea monsters, which have razor-sharp beaks and toothy tentacles, have been bringing terror to scuba drivers and swimmers on the coast's tourist-packed beaches.

The carnivorous calamari, which can grow up to 100 pounds, came up from the depths last week and swarms of them have pounced on unsuspecting divers.

Some divers have reported tentacles enveloping their masks and yanking at their cameras and gear, leaving many too scared to go in the water.

Stories of too-close encounters with the alien-like cephalopods have chased many veteran divers out of the water and created a whirlwind of excitement among the rest, who are torn between their personal safety and the once-in-a-lifetime chance to swim with the deep-sea giants.

'I wouldn't go into the water with them for the same reason I wouldn't walk into a pride of lions on the Serengeti,' said local diver Mike Bear.

Yet other divers, including Shanda Magill, couldn't resist the chance to see the squid up close.

On a recent night, Magill watched in awe as a dozen squid circled her group, tapping the divers before dashing away.

But the next night, things were different when a large squid surprised Magill by hitting her from behind and grabbing at her with its arms, pulling her sideways in the water.

The powerful creature ripped her buoyancy hose away from her chest and knocked away her light.

When she recovered, she didn't know which direction was up and couldn't find the hose to help her stay afloat as she surfaced

Veteran scuba diver and amateur underwater videographer Roger Uzun swam with a swarm of the creatures for about 20 minutes and said they appeared more curious than aggressive.

He said the animals taste with their tentacles and will touch to determine if people are edible.