December Winds

December 5th- Hector called and ask to go out of Hillsburo Inlet with a new guy named Chad. Chad's boat was at his parents house right next to a castle. That's right I said castle, towers, two 30 foot doors and camera's all over. Anyways were were excited as there wasn't much wind. After a 1/2 hr. trip to the inlet our wishes were but dreams. 10-15 mile an hour winds out of the Southeast. Figures weather man got it wrong again. 3-4 foot swells made the going a little rough we dropped on 3 Blacks. To this day I don't know why Hector calls it 3 Blacks I've never seen a black there. I think I will rename it Zero Black. I did manage a Hog there, it was legal. Hector got a nice size yellow jack which he indicated he was going to smoke and make dip with. The viz was barely 40 ft. current was running about 1 knot north. We started to pull anchor when we noticed a Brownies Third Lung and it was running, we were between the second and third reef a good 3/4 mile of shore no way this guy came from the beach. We fired up the engine when he got close and he came to the surface indicating his dive boat would return in 10 minutes and he was o.k. After that we decided to drift a while I got another Hog. So this put me on the boat and Chad and Hector in the water. Chad got a hog along the way and around 1 pm. we called it a day. Nothing lost, nothing broken a few fish it was another good day on the water.

Halloween Dive

Went out today with Hector and Oto. Just a short trip half a day. Hectors first dive in his 40 ft. spot netting him a stone shot on a nice mutton. Oto would follow him in the same area with another mutton. What did I do, dummy me changed my breakfast and on the way to the boat had a McGriddle. What a mistake I not only got a headache but I also got sick. Laid on the boat for a while then we moved deeper. Outside the second reef, depth ranged from 45-60 ft. Still no fish for me...actually, no fish for anyone. I decided to play captain, took Oto and Hector to the inside of the third reef. They dove for about 45 minutes to an hour and had some scuba divers drop close to us. Still they saw no fish. We called it a day about 1/4 past noon. For out trick or treat we got a trick, waiting on our windshields were parking tickets upon or return to the ramp. Haloween sucks! :)

Cha-Ching

Saturday started early for Extreme Divers. Destination was Black Point at 07:15, we weren't suppose to be there till 07:30 but Team Extreme was stoked about a day on the water. We were all there Frank, Hector, Larry and of course the "Old Guy" (me). Buy the time the boat showed up a few minutes later everyone had eyed Hector's new Wong Hybrid gun, all black and brand spanking new. It shinned in the morning sun like a diamond in a goats ass. Sky wasn't all clear but the sun shined, the wind maybe 5-10 out of the east. The Contender cut through the bay like a hot knife in butter with it's twin 200's humming like a new 2010 Chevy Camaro, before we knew it we were heading outside of the islands heading for south of Pacific Lighthouse. First spot shallow, I decided to grab Larry's new underwater camera. It took a few minutes to figure which button turned it on and zoomed it, and oh that tall one takes the picture, now I got it. Sometimes I'm slow, but I never stop. I see Larry lining up on something in a cave. Ok a got the camera start taking pictures. He nails a nice doggie, then I see a nice mutton come out the other side and I yell for Hector comes over and lines up with that shiny new gun, well just at that moment a sunbeam must have just shined in the water and Hector missed. Hector had another shot at that mutton and well the gods were just not in his favor. I swam up to him and cuffed him up side the head in the water. We got seperated and I had a remora playing tag, then I saw Hector and as soon as he swam over there was another huge Mutton, but this time he got it. I took a couple of pictures but remember the camera belongs to Larry so he will have to post them. We decided to pull Larry and Frank to the drop off of the reef water was about 40' and we saw Larry go down I asked the Captain what was on sonar he indicated fish I said it looks good. Just about the time I'm throwing my legs over, I hear this loud scream from Larry, and he has a smile from ear to ear. He holds up a monster mutton must have been 15 lber. A few minutes later I was following the drop off north when I spotted two blacks following the reef line south. I ducked down and nailed one. After securing the first one I tried to find the second but it disappeared faster then chez-wiz at a slumber party. Next thing I know everyone is somewhere else and I see another black this one actually waits for me to take a perfect shot and shone him with my Venom 100cm. This is pretty much how it continued all morning. Everyone was getting fish (see pic #2). In the picture we still had 4 hogs in the freezer. Well at 12:30 the cooler was filled and we headed in. Half day out produced more fish then almost the whole rest of the year so far. Many thanks to Larry securing the boat ride. Just as before, If you Dive, Dive Extreme, if not stay home!

Fowey to Midway

Went out today, 8-30-09. Out of Dinner Key Marina in Miami. On the boat is the Van, Rod from N.J. and his brother and Larry and of course me. We headed out thru Stiltville and rounded the corner around Fowey Lighthouse and headed South. We hit some patch reefs. Slight current to the north maybe 1/2 knot. Fish was scarce, viz was 40 ft. Not clear but good enough. Water temp was hot 84 degress f. After spending most the day in fairly shallow water (less then 40 ft), I decided to head for some cooler deeper water I swam out to 50-60 ft range. After some refreshing deeper drops I spot a mutton he swam straight into the shaft, gosh I hate that! The shaft stuck in a big sponge so I had to surface without the fish and shaft. Larry came along to assist but he had clearing problems so I returned to retrieve my shaft. When I surfaced Larry had shot a nice Ocean Tally. Well we cut the day short at 1 pm and started to head in. Not much fish but a good day anyways. Oh I forgot my fins good thing Larry brought a spare set.

Scrub At Key West

Went down to Key West last weekend. Met some nice people including Lee, Deb(?) and another young diver I can't seem to remember. Anyways the whole weekend got scrubbed because of super shitty weather. I did have a chance to give lessons and Lee brought some lobsters by before I left to come home. It was nice to meet some faces. Anyways no one can control the weather so maybe next trip. There is a tourney in Key West in September .....maybe...

7-25-09 Stormy Day

The boys I train cancelled on a trip outside of Elliot Key. Howie called and asked to go out with him and Ron D. out of Port Everglades. So off we go, ocean looked flat in the morning didn't get above 1 ft all day. Numerous storms showed up later morning and early afternoon. We tried to dodge most of them. First stop shallow reef just outside the cut I was using a 100cm Aimrite Venom. Just breathing up and opening the lungs. Saw a legal school master , but lost him in a deep cave. Next we headed to third reef. Water was so-so on viz. I changed to my 120cm Super Venom, a quick change on the reel. Then me and Ron are in droppping 45' to the reef. Ron got out then I was joined by Howie. We both were buddy watching and getting about 1min to 1min and 15 secs. Not great but will have to do till I get in better shape. I saw a nice mutton but he eluded me. Howie got a small mack then we headed north away from the storms. I talked them into dropping on the last bouy in the PE channel. It sits in about 105-112 ft depending on tides. I jumped in with Ron , Ron had a flasher line off the back of his gun that the bait fish were interested in. He popped a rainbow runner, I dropped down around 30-40 and did not entice any larger fish. After trading places with Howie. Howie had a run at it with the same luck.

Next spot wasn't that far away in 45 ft of water a ledge. First drop missed the ledge second drop I was drifting with Howie and he pointed that he saw the ledge and there was a black down there. I dropped and found the black but it appeared to be only around 18-20 inches. So we repositioned and again drifted over the ledge. The currents all day were going every which way but north? This time I dropped down just above the ledge, meeting me at the ledge was a fat mutton, I wasn't about to let this one get away he turned and dropped below the ledge, I followed cautiously, waiting for when the moment was right, left turn, right turn, ready, left turn fire. I pulled the trigger on my 100cm Venom, the shaft flew out true and straight it hit him 1/3 back on the left side high the shaft penetrated forward passed through his brain then exited just below his right eye. Howie heard Ron say the fish finder was hitting fish, Howie looked down and saw me aiming, then I disappeared over the ledge and he never heard the shot, but he did see me coming up with a large yellow tail below me.

After the fish was secured we couldn't decide where to go next, but the weather helped it had completely surrounded us. So we decided to call it a day. Ron took a picture of the mutton it was 25" long and been eating good.

On Sunday I filleted him, 1/3 of him went to Ceviche, ummm ummm good, another 1/3 to dinner. the last third is in the freeze from another dinner this week.

My Breath Holding Technics

A while back I posted to Spearboard my breathing technics, since then many divers have requested the information. Over the years I have taken plenty of students under my wing and taught them this technic. Some are able to obtain dives twice as deep within just a couple of lessons. So I decided to post it here in my blog, I have already put it in my new book.

I could write all afternoon on increasing your bottom time; it would be easier to talk to individuals. In the wake of Gene H. death this is going to be a sticky topic. As with everything we do their is inherit risk, freediving has it's own. I almost lost a dive partner once to SWB; I'd hate to read about someone on this list SWB. Anyways be careful, don't push yourself and whenever possible use a dive partner system.

I break my advice into three sections. Surface, Decent, Ascent. Since surface is the most important part I'll start with it.

Let's begin by saying the need to breath is a result of Carbon Dioxide levels are too high in our body. So we exhale to remove it. This urge is so strong that it could put us in a panic state to reach the surface; this could increase our consumption of oxygen, which is already pretty low. This in turn could be disastrous. So if Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide are equal when we start our dive, we have given amount of time before we need to surface (excluded any variables, such as excitement from spearing a fish, to currents, cold water, etc.).

If we were to start the same dive with our Oxygen level a little higher and Carbon Dioxide a little lower and all other variables were the same then we should have more time underwater.

Now how do we do this, I learned this from a friend named Doug Peterson, he trained the guy overseas with this technique and his static time is above 8 min. Anyways I've been able to increase my average underwater time from around 1 min. to 1.30-2 min. using this technique. Obviously, the better in shape you are the better you body will function in this high Carbon Dioxide state. So physical conditioning will affect your time too.

The technique is based on 1 min intervals. After returning from a dive your heart usually recovers and slows down in about 1 min. This is when most divers will go back down, but your gas levels are not back to good levels. After 1 min. start the following breathing exercise.

Calmly- breathe in deeply and exhale deeply for 8 secs. repeat this process for 45-50 secs. it's important to try to relax every muscle you can while doing this even your mouth around the snorkel. (quit biting it!)

Next for ONLY 5-10 secs breath rapidly emphasizing and forcing your exhale. Do not do this too long as it will lead to hyperventilating! A no-no... This completes the cycle repeat this process for 3 or 4 cycles.

On your last cycle just before going under after you complete your rapid breathing take one long deep breath and exhale it slowly and completely (I put my hand on my tummy and make sure my tummy deflates all the way) Then take you last full breath close your mouth, spit out your snorkel go under by pivoting at the waist and kicking one leg up. Let the weight of the single leg start your decent, at about 7-10ft swallow that last breath you took and are holding in your cheeks. This may accomplish two things. First, when you swallow you relax the muscles in your mouth thus increasing your time and second if done at the right time it could serve as your first equalization!(HAH, how bout that!)

Decent- The purpose of the decent is to get to the bottom using as little oxygen as possible. If you are weighted properly (another discussion) then this should be between 25-30 ft. In order to use as little oxygen as possible, movement must be smooth and only if required. After 30 ft you should be free falling. In free falling we can control our direction by changing the angle of our fins. In this phase, to maximize our oxygen we need to become hydro dynamic. Keep your arms as close as possible to your body, your head should not be looking down (unless you see something and going after it) If you head is looking down your mask is buffering the waterflow across your body. Thus slowing you down. Relax, equalize, you’ll see the bottom around 20 ft. before hitting it. Level out using only your head and fins, do not use your arms. (this is a good Mutton hunting tech) Wait. Check your 6!

If you don't see anything get you butt back to the surface and start over. Don't push yourself for nothing, is what I'm trying to say.

Ascent - by now you body has used up a majority of oxygen and the carbon dioxide is getting higher. On ascent, again try to relax as much as you can even though you want to be on the surface so bad. Kick little short stokes trying not to use the larger muscles in your thighs. These shorter strokes also prevent buffering on the way up. Remember water drag issues! keep your gun in tight, no need to look up as this only slows you down. Relax! Relax! Relax!

You can try this breathing exercise at home in your favorite chair or bed, this way if you push it too far your wake up to your girlfriend or wife screaming at you instead of seeing St. Peter guarding the gates of Fish Haven! Please don't try this in a pool, so many freedivers don't make it out of pool practicing breath holding.

You should see results almost immediately! Around the 4th dive or try you will see about a 30sec increase.

Now any of these methods will help your bottom time but when you perfect all of them and are in good shape will you start to see consistent increased performance. Good Luck, please dive safe!

Training Session

July 10,

Diving with the Scali Boys, training session number two. Training session #1 had the boys in 12-15ft. They were so green, I had to hang on to them at the bottom. They thought I was trying to drown them. With additional counseling and a couple of dives in the keys. We join up again on this date. We started in the shallows just north of the port, worked our way north to the outside buoys by Commerical Blvd. There the boys were all laying on the bottom in the sand at 30-32. We really were not seeing much to shoot so I decided to take them to the third reef. We jumped out of the boat with the fish finder saying 47'. The ledge was on the inside and the drop off to the sand was 55' slooping down to 63'. We hung over the reef, I decided to only use only 1 gun my gun with a reel, made them watch each other. All the boys were doing great, I gave them tips on their form and drops. Each was improving with each drop. After an hour on the reef the boys were dropping good we saw a nice size jack. I shot the jack and bullied myself back to the surface where I decided to let each of the boys feel the strength of the fish. Each had their turn at being pulled under. A valuable lesson for them, never to under estimate the strength of a fish.

Next when I thought they were all relaxed I decided to show them a SWB (simulated of course). I was interested in what they would. Since we were all watching each other and the water viz was +70 at least, I cut my dive short on the bottom and around 10 ft. I stretched out and faked a SWB. I had my eyes closed so I could do is listen. What I heard was 3 boys scrambling off the surface and grabbing me, when they got me to the surface I opened my eyes and told them good job. I also told them next time to drop my weight belt. Which would have made it easier.

6-28-09

Went out with Howie on his boat with Tommy S. one of the teens I'm teaching. We choose to go south and hit Cuda reef then scooted out to the crack. Nutin but 2 big jews and a butt load of side liners. off to Lil Johns ledge. I missed out on a black and a big ass mutton cuz I couldn't decide which one to shoot! DUH. On to the rock pile then yellow brick road. Total take for the day 6 hogs 2 yellow jacks and one decent grover. Dang, I wish I hit that black!

June 27 Set Up

Thought I was on a dive with Hector in Boynton tomorrow, but it got cancelled. Called Kris in Miami he'd says he'll call back. All my plans are cancelling.

Contacted Howie from the Longfins, GAME-ON! Sent a message to MackDaddy! Called Tommy S. he'd said he'd join us for a day of training. I'll post tomorrow or Monday.

Sat. 6-20-09

Well with my back out of whack and a head cold with green mucus, I decided to not dive today. I rested and shopped with the wife. All the time looking at the sky and weather knowing someone I know is out there spearing something on this beautiful day. I did receive my new Realseacamo 3mm one piece suit and a rash guard.

One of the first things I noted was that the rash guard did not come with a loading pad like the Mako one did. The 3mm I ordered was a XL, guess I'm getting rounder!

Longfin Meeting

Went to the June Longfin meeting, Tommy's boys were there along with him.

I joined the Longfins and so did they. I volunteered to help with VP duties but we decided that they should think about it first. The Longfins and Extreme Divers Team have so many things in common it would be great to get both clubs together to form a stronger club.

Busted Sunday

Well today I was suppose to go out with Kris, David, Gerald and Hector, but Kris's boat had other ideas. We tried to get it running for at least two hours. But no go...oh, well maybe next time.

Just an update

This week I received my Mako shirt, dark green camo. Nice fit looks good can't wait to use it.

I also received a RealSeaCamo 1.5 Steamer size XL it was too small so I am exchanging it.

I also received my new 100cm Venom from Aimrite (Rick my baby brother) can't wait to give it a try with my Super Venom 120 cm the two should get me thru anything here in Ft. Lauderdale.

Currently waiting on making a decission on a new 3 mil. Yazbeck or Elios?

Port St. Lucie Report 6/8/09

Well Sunday started off for me at 3:30 am, preparation all day Saturday restringing the guns and trying to glue the holes in my 7 year old Picasso suit. During my sleep I decided to take my Oceanos 5 mil top just in case the Picasso became unusable. The guns were restrung with 1 wrap teflon coated S/S and one wrap shooting line. That is how my Aimrite Venom came so I just redid it and my Hybrid the same way. I got to the ramp about 1/2 hour late. I got lost and ended up in Fort Pierce. Waiting at the ramp was Hector, his brother Adrian and our skipper a good old friend of mine Brent "the Dentist".

Winds were less then 10 mph and seas were about 2 feet, vis at our first location was about 30-40 ft, current was just enough to make it a pain in the ass. First site was in less then 50 ft. a wreck with a big Jewfish on it, so big one time I dropped within 3 feet of it and it didn't even move. About my 3 or 4th dropped I layed still on the bottom and poked a mutton with the Venom.

Next we move to another wreck further north, again because of vis. and current conditions it was difficult to find. After drifting for a little bit, Hector was near me and I was breathing up to visit the sandy bottom, when I saw some baitfish under Hector, I dove down under Hector and could see a ray with a Cobia on it, I looked for a few more milliseconds for bigger cobias but saw none thinking Hector was just above me I didn't have long to think and let the Venom steel fly. Nicely placed I returned the Cobia to the boat. This is Brent's shiny new white boat, and one good size cobia tossing and jumping like no tomorrow (well there was no tomorrow for him) blood was flying all over that boat. It looked like Friday 13th in 3-D. For a while I just stood their amazed at the scene of Brent trying to subdue him. After pulling the shaft threw we got him in the cooler.

Now I'm thinking this is a pretty cool place. So far, I've seen hugh Jewfish, Rays, 40 lb. snook, oh did I mention a 20-25 lb cubera, walls of cuda, permit, jacks, tons of mutton and its only 9 am.

Hector's brother would get to shoot a Cobia and a mutton too, then it just seemed like all the fish got really educated or spooked, cuz it was slim pickens. We called it the day early. I think Brent had a "HoneyDo" list.

Long drive, good day! Everyone back, no gear lost or broken, and I get a good size Cobia to take home. Many thanks to Brent for the invite and Hector for letting me shot the Cobia (you snooze you loose).

Ready for the trip

Re-strung the guns, checked the tips, bought a new weight belt, checked my gear, changed the batteries in the flashlight. Everything is ready! Weather was great today, it should be the same tomorrow.

Longfins

Talked to Ron in the Longfins today about the current situation with the Longfins and shared some of Extreme Divers Philosophies. I also shared some thoughts for the Longfins. There membership is down and I would like to get them back on their feet, like it was when I left them several years ago.

I'd like to see Extreme Divers join the Longfins. We could adopt the best of both clubs and have a much stronger presents in the Spearfishing community.

Extreme Divers are just happy to dive with each other and enjoy being part of a club that promotes the art of freediving spearfishing. E.D.s are not big into competitions, just occasional bragging rights.

The new club can be stronger have closer bonds share the best of each club. In fact I have thought of a new club name - "Extreme Longfins"

Jurassic Park

Jurassic Park on Sunday, water temps in the mid 70's up there. Will need my 3 mil. Taking my Venom and Hybrid. This should be good! Hector, whom has had my fins for months now and his brother and a long lost diving buddy of mine -Brent. Brent will be taking us out on his new boat. I have to meet them at the ramp in Port St. Lucie at 6:15 that means I have to get up around 4:15 am.

South Florida Weather

For the rest of the week- Rain, Rain, Rain! geez, I'll never get out.

Drying Out

Tried everything to get out last weekend 5/30, but no boat the the weather wasn't that great anyways. Still I got to get out soon!

Chapter 2

ok I'm still getting the hang of this blog stuff. Chapter 2 was posted under In the beginning as a comment sorry. I'll continue after this the right way. Freediving Spearfishing South Florida!

In the Beginning...

Wow, where to start, image a hot summer day with no wind the temperature in the mid 80's. Three boys make a trek across town on their bikes to the beach, loaded down with different diving equipment and inflatable rafts. Up and over the inter-coastal bridge to the beach. The water looked like a lake. It was flat and blue. We knew nothing of clarity, currents, or anything come to think of it. So after inflating the rafts we journeyed offshore. The water color was aqua blue and as the depth increased it became dark, but then the water turned almost black, a dark dark blue. We wondered if a whale was under us?...