Took the good skiff on a late morning run (how presumptuous of me!) back to the Island of the Blue Dolphins! There was a gentle whitecapp flow for the first 65nm, then after that it was very nice all the way to that wreck. Late afternoon and not another boat on the horizon at that most desolate island off the coast of California. After a 5 hour run, i couldn't wait to jump into the wonderland.
I anchored 20 yards off the wreck in about 40ft, the water was a nice 62 with 20-25' vis, and diminishing swell. Quick, suit-mask-snorkle-fins, camera in hand, i slip into the realm! Immediately greeted by several sea lions. First glimpse of the wreck is thrilling, torn steel hull ripped in half by the seas exposing rooms and ladders and passages. There are lots of small fish moving in and out of the wreck. I see one large sheephead and one clumsy cabazon miss his meal by a mile. Serves him right for trying to eat a kelpfish! After a few minutes, more sea lion pups come around playing rough house with eachother and me. One swam right into me and another grabbed my fin.
The sun was getting low and i had taken a roll of film so it was time to set the anchor for the night. I moved a 100 yards down and stayed right below that rookery. The sounds of an elephant seal rookery at night are very interesting. The males bellow out at intervals through the night. They sound like a 3000lb bullfrog. Some much better than others. The sound they make is right at the lowest frequency audible to humans. It breaks up as it passes by, but it is heard for miles by the females who are staging in the waters off the island. I set up the cot, fine sleeping bag, feather pillow and nice music on the CD.
First thing in the morning, it's back on the wreck! That wet wet suit is soooo refreshing in the morn! I took another roll of film then moved back down the island and swam under the kelp canopy. Everywhere you find a rock overhang under the darken canopy, you will find the fish. I see blue rockfish, kelp rockfish and a black and yellow. B&Y are the prise! They are very rare in our waters, anymore. There are many small sheephead including one huge male who dutifully makes his appearance. He was so big, he had his own entourage! I got a number of colorful pictures, but nothing spectacular. Together they tell a story of one remote island, dangerous and hard to get to.
Later Saturday afternoon, i make my way around the front side of the island and anchor in 40ft of water. I set up the cot, fine sleeping bag and feather pillow. I mix a rum and coke on ice as i tune in Garrison Keeler's A Prairie Home Companion and watch the sky get dark from the edge of the universe.
Sunday morning i make another dive in the plush kelp. Two nights outside, exposed to the eliments around the clock and now it's time to leave. I stow the gear and with a heavy heart, i make my way back to safe harbor yet one more time...
Brad
(there is nothing like the feeling of utter security on the open sea)
I anchored 20 yards off the wreck in about 40ft, the water was a nice 62 with 20-25' vis, and diminishing swell. Quick, suit-mask-snorkle-fins, camera in hand, i slip into the realm! Immediately greeted by several sea lions. First glimpse of the wreck is thrilling, torn steel hull ripped in half by the seas exposing rooms and ladders and passages. There are lots of small fish moving in and out of the wreck. I see one large sheephead and one clumsy cabazon miss his meal by a mile. Serves him right for trying to eat a kelpfish! After a few minutes, more sea lion pups come around playing rough house with eachother and me. One swam right into me and another grabbed my fin.
The sun was getting low and i had taken a roll of film so it was time to set the anchor for the night. I moved a 100 yards down and stayed right below that rookery. The sounds of an elephant seal rookery at night are very interesting. The males bellow out at intervals through the night. They sound like a 3000lb bullfrog. Some much better than others. The sound they make is right at the lowest frequency audible to humans. It breaks up as it passes by, but it is heard for miles by the females who are staging in the waters off the island. I set up the cot, fine sleeping bag, feather pillow and nice music on the CD.
First thing in the morning, it's back on the wreck! That wet wet suit is soooo refreshing in the morn! I took another roll of film then moved back down the island and swam under the kelp canopy. Everywhere you find a rock overhang under the darken canopy, you will find the fish. I see blue rockfish, kelp rockfish and a black and yellow. B&Y are the prise! They are very rare in our waters, anymore. There are many small sheephead including one huge male who dutifully makes his appearance. He was so big, he had his own entourage! I got a number of colorful pictures, but nothing spectacular. Together they tell a story of one remote island, dangerous and hard to get to.
Later Saturday afternoon, i make my way around the front side of the island and anchor in 40ft of water. I set up the cot, fine sleeping bag and feather pillow. I mix a rum and coke on ice as i tune in Garrison Keeler's A Prairie Home Companion and watch the sky get dark from the edge of the universe.
Sunday morning i make another dive in the plush kelp. Two nights outside, exposed to the eliments around the clock and now it's time to leave. I stow the gear and with a heavy heart, i make my way back to safe harbor yet one more time...
Brad
(there is nothing like the feeling of utter security on the open sea)
I have a feeling that deep freediving is similar to other forms of phisical conditioning in that you have do do it everyday or you loose your ability to maintain your maximum potential.
