So I'm going cage diving with GW sharks in just over a month...

[FettSolo]

... and I would love to know what kind of tips, if any, people have from those who have gone previously. That sounds vague, so let me throw some stuff out:

- I've seen in one or two previous trip reports that some people wear long underwear underneath their wetsuit because it gets cold being in the cage for an extended period of time. Is that advisable?
-Anything else I should bring on this trip that isn't immediately obvious?
-For anybody who has a GoPro - suggestions on how best to wear it for a trip like this?
-For the photography gurus out there - would a fisheye or wide-angle lens be better for capturing these GW beauties?
-Any other comments, tips, reflections on one's own experiences cage diving, etc. are greatly appreciated


Oh, and to put this in perspective, the trip will be in October, off of Guadalupe, with Shark Diver: Isla Guadalupe White Shark Cage Diving - Shark Diver

 

[FettSolo]

Anybody? Please?

 

[Thalassamania]

... and I would love to know what kind of tips, if any, people have from those who have gone previously. That sounds vague, so let me throw some stuff out:

- I've seen in one or two previous trip reports that some people wear long underwear underneath their wetsuit because it gets cold being in the cage for an extended period of time. Is that advisable?

No, you will be colder that way.

-Anything else I should bring on this trip that isn't immediately obvious?

Can't say, one man's obvious is another's, "never thought of that."

-For anybody who has a GoPro - suggestions on how best to wear it for a trip like this?

I'd imagine a helmet mount.

-For the photography gurus out there - would a fisheye or wide-angle lens be better for capturing these GW beauties?

If you go wide angle they don't come in close, if you go mild telephoto they're banging against the cage, that's an unbreakable rule. I suggest two cameras, one of each.

 

[mselenaous]

I recommend at a minimum at 7mm wetsuit w/ hooded vest or a farmer john/jacket combo. Those that brought drysuits, were happy to have them. I worked the GWS trips on one of the vessels in 2007. The water is in the low 60s, and you are stationary in the cages, typically 1 hour in, then 1 hour out through out the day.

If you have various items (cameras, strobes, laptop, MP3player, etc.) with chargers, consider bringing a power strip for your stateroom. Stuff on boats tends to get damp, so spare sweats are good. There will be areas of the boat off-limits to wet wet-suits. You will probably change into dry duds between your cage rotations.

It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Have a blast!
Here's a preview:

 

[spt29970]

I recommend at a minimum at 7mm wetsuit w/ hooded vest or a farmer john/jacket combo. Those that brought drysuits, were happy to have them. I worked the GWS trips on one of the vessels in 2007. The water is in the low 60s, and you are stationary in the cages, typically 1 hour in, then 1 hour out through out the day.
View attachment 104102

I agree with the recommendation, but I don't know where you got water in the low 60s. I did a trip last year and two years before that. On both occasions the water was in the 73-74 range. I wore my 7mm suit with hood and was comfortable for 2+hours at a time. A few people wore drysuits and were happy with them too. I wouldn't want to do the trip with anything less, otherwise you will end up getting cold and limiting your time in the water. I think the suggestion of wearing long underwater under the wetsuit isn't too good. The key to keeping warm is to have a snug fitting suit that seals well at the neck, wrists, and legs. If you have room to wear long underwater underneath, your suit doesn't fit properly.

As far as photography is concerned, I think you will be disappointed by wide angle. The sharks occasionally come close, but only rarely. Most of the time they will be 6ft+ away. That isn't close enough to fill your wide angle frame. If you do shoot WA, you will end up with lots of shots that make the sharks look tiny. I recommend an intermediate range lens. I have an EOS 5D (full frame) camera and I shot a 17-40mm lens. Most of the time it was zoomed to 40mm. In fact I suspect that a nifty 50 might be the perfect lens for cage diving.

I too am returning to Guadalupe next month and I can hardly wait. Here is one of my photos from a previous trip. There are more at Isla Guadalupe 2008 - a set on Flickr and Isla Guadalupe 2010 - a set on Flickr

Have fun!


Guadalupe greeting party: Shredder by - drsteve -, on Flickr

 

[starrlamia]

no advice but im jealous! That is my dream vacation! Have a great time

 

[mselenaous]

... but I don't know where you got water in the low 60s. I did a trip last year and two years before that. On both occasions the water was in the 73-74 range.

I just went back to check my Suunto dive computer log from 2007...the warmest temp my D9 registered at Isla Guadalupe in Sept 2007 was 70degF and the coldest in Nov 2007 was 65degF. Ok not quite low 60s but cold enough when stationary in a cage. The more time you spend in the water, the colder you will feel by the end of the day. Your core temperature doesn't bounce back fast enough. Also the primary bay with the most sharks where the boats anchor up is on the east side of the north end of the island. As the sun sets earlier each day, I remember being on the deck in the shadow of the island's mountain's feeling a chill in the late afternoons that you don't feel during the day/height of the sun.

It's an awesome experience. Hopefully I'll get back there soon.

 

[mselenaous]

PS Steve:
Your pic looked familiar and after a trip down memory lane this evening, I found this. It's nice to see this guy is still coming back to the Island year after year. Here he is in 2007:

 

[FettSolo]

Thank you very much for all the responses! I can't wait to go... just received my new GoPro in the mail yesterday so I'm looking forward to using it. And at this point, the trip is a week away! Unbelievable.

I feel like I've already gotten my money's worth just from the responses I've been given when I tell people what I'm doing. I had to promise all my professors I would come back in one piece.

 

[FettSolo]

School, etc. made me forget about this forum (sorry, guys!). However, having finally remembered... my trip was FANTASTIC. Really, truly, amazing. I would highly recommend it to all.
If any of you are interested, I ended up using some of my GoPro footage from the tip to make a brief (less than 4min) film about why I went:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SU4U-Q_dXw