Posted by Eric Sedletzky on July 30, 2001 at 22:09:47:
In Reply to: good list posted by CalAbDiver on July 30, 2001 at 09:35:46:
You've got some great points in your follow up.
I would like to respond to a few if I may.
The reason I don't rock pick is because I enjoy
freediving in some type of water column preferably
in 10 or more feet of water. I know there are many
large abs found very close to shore but my idea of
a fun time ab diving doesn't include slipping all
over slimey rocks, breaking my ass, or getting pounded on the rocks by high surf. BTW, I have
seen people get broken legs by getting them jammed
in the crack of a rock, then having a wave come
in and..SNAP!
I think it is (for myself) a lot better to get out
into some nice deep calm water, set my float, relax while I lay on the surface concentrating and breathing, then with one fluid movement gently break the surface of the water and glide to the bottom.
I think the most important thing a good freediver
can learn is to relax. When you are relaxed and
in tune with the ocean is when you will notice
a dramatic increase in ability. By being in tune I
mean not fighting the forces of water. You will not win. All you will do is wear yourself out.
This can lead to stress which can move to panic
and then you have a real problem. This gets back
to all my reasons for preffering not to dive with
people who have no desire to progress beyond
glorified rock pickers. I have nothing against
rock pickers, but I am a freediver, therefore
I like to dive with people who have the same
interests or with newbies that would like to
learn to become first class freedivers.
There are a few things I should add that I did
not think about. In very low vis situations, each
diver will alternate diving as in usual fashion.
But, instead of cruising around the bottom you
will do a 6ft radius search pattern and limit
your dive to 1 minute or less. The reason for this
is in case your buddy needs to do a search he can
find you directly below the float. If the area
is not that good you pull your anchor and move
but always dive directly under the float.
Hope this clarifies some of my points.
Happy diving.