Caspar 9-12-09

I dove with Abman James for the Picasso open. James brought a friend so we had 3 in our group. It was so rough that many contestants didn't even get in the water. We went to a "sheltered" spot outside the cove. There was a 10 foot swell and fog. Yes it looked as bad as it sounds. The vis wasn't too bad where we were but people that went the other direction said it was about 1-2 feet. I think ours was 10 or 12 feet. I think there were about 5 people from NCKA at the event. James and I came back empty handed (abs had to be 9 inches to enter for measurement). James' friend Brian brought in 1 nine incher. Over 70 people entered the competition and only 8 people brought in something to measure.

I started getting that special feeling in my belly after about an hour from the rough water. I thought there were going to be a bunch of ringers out there that would blow us away so I didn't think it would do any good to stay out there and risk blowing chunks.

When I saw what the top placers brought in I realized I should have stayed out there. Most of the NCKA divers could have been first place contenders.

I tied everything down for the landing except a very nice Riffe #0 speargun that I put under the bow bungies on my Adventure. I got thrown and of course the bungee came undone. 300 dollar gun to the bottom of Davey Jones locker.

Now the best part of the story. They had lots of very nice prizes for all finishers and a raffle for those of us that smelled like skunk. Brian got a 350 dollar pair of glass fins. I got a 60 cm Picasso speargun and James got a nice dive knife. They (freediveshop) gave something to every person that entered. They gave away numerous open cell wetsuits, guns, fins, mask, etc. DaveW didn't go in the water and he scored an open cell suit for his son. I don't know what squidly got but his friend Ian didn't go in the water and he got a pair of Picasso freedive fins.

Let's try to have a good sized group next year for NCKA. Maybe we could reserve an area at one campground. If you see a short Riffe with a custom grey handle it's mine.     

Sorry to hear about your loss.  You guys gave it a try and at least went home with some nice prizes from the raffle.  Thanks for the report Merv.

 Damn, sucks that conditions didn't co-operate and even more so that you donated to the big blue, sorry for your loss. 

Brutal conditions!  At least you won a new gun for the one you lost.  I'd love to give it a go next year.  Thanks for the report.

Oops, I also gave a report.  Didn't see this one.  Sorry to repeat.  Good to see you again, Merv, and nice to meet you Abman.  I'll go down to the beach in a short while and take a look for your gun.  I think the swell has come down.

Dave

If you see a short Riffe with a custom grey handle it's mine.     

Is this directed towards Ravensblack?

Super report, sorry about your misfortune.

Michael

Sorry to hear about the lost gun.  Based on the fcst, i suspected it would be tough diving conditions.

Sounds like a fun event with very generous sponsors to boot.

Stuart

Way to on giving it a try Merv. I was definitely rooting for you to win. Sorry you
lost your gun. I hope the gun you won from the raffle is better than the one you
lost.

Jedmo

damn props for having the courage to get out there fog with swells if i was there ill probably b one of the guys sitting on the side lines haha

Keo

Didn't see this thread originally posted in diving forum.....

It was totally diveable you just needed to pick your spot.  Amphibian, myself and a non-NCKA Brian G went to infiltrate the Ling hold that our own Brian G calls his........but to no avail.  It was a washing machine on top of it.  No Fish and No Abs for me but it is always good to get wet and see a few of the NCKA crew (Amphibian and Squidly) and meet some new (DaveW).  My Dive buddy the non-NCKA Brian G got a nice ab over nine which placed him in the prize table pick for a pair of fins that retail for over $500.  My random raffle prize table pick was way down the list and still got a nice titanium knife.  Amphibian scored too....but I'll let him tell ya.

Aside from fighting off this recent Cold I caught, GREAT EVENT.

I'll just need to ask Santa for that new freedive suit I've been trying to win for three years now.  I guess the one I win next year can just be my spare.  

Brian G  - if you make it out to your ling hole, just to the south of it in about 40' of water you might find my ab bar, dive light and 10" gauge.  My lesson learned for the weekend is....you can't be diving that deep in those conditions with a 35' float line.  I pulled the line and it broke off the $100 worth of trophy ab hunting gear in the rocks below.  Some times the sea give and sometimes she takes away.    

Sounds like a good time was had out there despite to weather. How was the mead and bacon wrapped abalone?

Good news is my remodel is nearing completion and I will staging a rescue mission for Abman's trophy guage very soon.

-Brian G

I'm in for a rescue mission. I liked that spot and would love to dive it without the huge surge.

It is a to bad it is a secret spot . i am going to be back at caspar on thursday and friday . I would do a rescue mission for abman's gear. I did not even get in the water. All the spots that I like to dive where blown out.  But I won a nice dive bag in the raffle. I will be there next year and hope to see more NCKA people. It was great see james , merv, and more familiar faces..




                              SQUIDLY  JIM RICKER

                                       

I did not even get in the water. All the spots that I like to dive where blown out.

I'm glad other folks saw it the same as me.  Sorry I missed meeting you, Jim.

Sounds like a Great event!!! right in my back yard...next yr for SURE...

Thanks for the report!!! knowing my skills I'd be with Jim, Dave, and the others knocking back a cold one rooting from the side lines...well, I would've put in than put out pretty quickly, if it was that bad....

The sea takes out of one hand and puts into another...hopefully yours...nice score on raffle Congrats!!!