first impressions from a newb dive day

Nathan and I tried free diving cold water for the first time on Saturday.  On vacation in warm water, we tend to enter early and leave late, love snorkeling.  The difference between the two is huge.  The simple act of getting a 7 mil suit, hood, gloves, and boots on is a workout.  Then the counterintuitive move off strapping 30-40 pounds of lead around your waist to go swimming.  Experimented with the amount of weight and I settled on 30 pounds, Nathan at 12.  If I could micro adjust, I would probably have made it 28 pounds.

Once in the water at San Carlos, the vis was pretty bad, but if you dove down a bit it was better.  Lots of kelp, cool shells to see.  We then saw HUGE rubberlip perch swimming in the rocks, offering up their slab sides to shoot.  Unfortunately you cannot spear at San Carlos.  We decided to head to some hunting grounds and went to Coral Street.

Launched with our kayaks, headed to about 10-20 feet of water in the kelp holes and commenced to hunt.  Vis was much better.  I quickly discovered that there are not nearly as many fish in the water as I had hoped.  Mostly saw senoritas, schools of 2 inch olives. Every once in a while you would see a rainbow perch swimming along the bottom.  By the time I dove down, and got in range, they had moved and I was out of air.  Nathan managed to spear two nice perch and buzzed by a white seal.  Nathan was super calm about it.  I would have freaked out.

I assumed I would only polespear, but both Nathan and I had a fish that we hit not stick to the polespear and escape injured.  I hate the idea of wasting a fish because of my lack of skill.  Maybe a single tip instead of the 3 pronged paralyzer?

All in all a great experience, one I plan on doing more of.  Before the next trip, have to buy Nathan a wetsuit (rented his) get weight for both of us and resharpen a spear that hit the rocks.

Thanks for the report and pictures.  Not bad for the first dive.  For free diving I prefer 5mm wetsuit.  It's less bulky and you don't need as much weight.  If you SCUBA dive a lot up here, then 7mm is needed.

Nice report, Eug.  Way to go on continuing to get your son into the water sports - that's awesome, and he'll remember it forever.  I know the feeling of hitting a fish and having it escape injured - it's upsetting.  It will make you refine your gear and work harder for better shots.  I've never shot a rubber band gun, but I had air piston guns for a few years back in the 90's - more power means less injured fish swimming away, so it's a good direction to move in if you get more serious about spearfishing.

Have fun.   

Hello Eugene. Thanks for getting me all excited about diving. I too am in the process
myself. I will be getting my gears soon. For now, I would like to try for some abs
close to shore then go deeper eventually. BTW, would you know of a good place to
buy all the gears we need to get out there? I'm shooting for the 7mm for now.

Jedmo

Great pic and report man. Looking forward to the 1st family dive meet w/Andy and the crew. Let's do it!

BTW, would you know of a good place to
buy all the gears we need to get out there? I'm shooting for the 7mm for now.

I am a large guy so my options suit wise were limited.  I couldnt rent one cuz they didnt go large enough at my SC dive shop.  Had I tried it first, I would probably look for a 5 mil, I was actually hot in the 7 mil.  So I would recommend renting a suit from a dive shop, and try it out first.

Good suggestion e2g. I will do that.

Thanks,
Jedmo

Great report, and nice pictures...was that the seal that buzzed Nathan gloating from a rock....

I dive mainly Ft Bragg area and found if I didn't have 7mm evrything I was cold the whole time...but with 7m I can stay out for 2hrs or more...WTG on first dive...

I've been Ab dive for years in my 3mm wetsuit and starting to get cold when stayed in the water for more than an hour.  The 7mm is to bulky for me and I only use for SCUBA dives.  Thinking about getting a 5mm so I can have more fun in the water longer than 1 hour (Ab dive and spear fishing).  Everyone has different tolerance for coldness so the best way is to rent one and try it out first to find your own comfort zone.

I agree wish sailfish since I am a bigger guy also I would much prefer a 3mm suit since it is much easier to swim in and less weight is needed. This year I have been trying a 2 piece 5mm but am going back to 3mm since I find it much more enjoyable. I tend too spend a long time in the water and don't find myself getting cold so that has not been an issue sine I have a little extra padding. . Look forward to seeing out in the water soon. We have a group going up to Ocean Cove on june 26th-28th

Great report, and nice pictures...was that the seal that buzzed Nathan gloating from a rock....

No, this seal was not about to give up the throne.  Its the smaller guy who wanted up on the rock that did the fly by.

Great report, and nice pictures...was that the seal that buzzed Nathan gloating from a rock....

No, this seal was not about to give up the throne.  Its the smaller guy who wanted up on the rock that did the fly by.

 

Great report,

Get'em interested when they're young, then they'll get interested in other things (it's the drivers license/car/girls that drag'em away), and then one day they call and say I want to start diving again,,,,,

Ya gotta plant the seed early,

Sounds like a great start to a freediving future, thanks for sharing.

Awsome job you guys!!! Like Sin said we should plan A BBQ and Beer fest...Woops I mean Spear fest over in Stillwater south real soon. I saw lots and lots of perch in there....Andy

Nice report Eugene! Let me know if you guys go out again. I usually get Sunday and Mondays off and I'm fortunate enough to have a place to say at 17-mile-drive. I will PM you my cell - hope to huk-up with you and your son for some free diving!

mooch "da future perch assassin"