Very cool freediving pic!

sturgeon · #1 January 8th, 2004

Here's an extremely cool picture of my best friend Pat Johnson freediving 95 feet on a wreck in North Carolina, surrounded by sand tigers.

I thought some of you might enjoy checking it out.

Scott

Rolando · #2 January 8th, 2004

That pic is cool indeed! In last year's Bluewater tourney in Hattaras, a few of the divers had to spear fish in depths under those Sand Tiger Sharks.

Does this pic cause any De Ja Vu Blake?

SThompson · #3 January 8th, 2004

That is a GREAT pic!!

I have wanted to get up to the Carolina's to dive with the Sand Tigers. I have heard that, while they are fearsome looking, they are actually quite docile and even friendly.

This just became my new computer desktop! Thanks!!

Wabostyle · #4 January 8th, 2004

Are those OMER Rekord Evolution Carbon fins he is using? If so, how do they compare to the C4's?

sturgeon · #5 January 8th, 2004

Wabo,

Those are indeed OMER carbons. I have a pair myself and they were one of my favorite fins of all time until I cracked one by being stupid and crawling into a wreck after a wounded grouper. Because they are wider and shorter than C4s and don't have high side rails, they are very maneuverable (from a spearfisherman's point of view). Unfortunately, OMER doesn't make them anymore and instead sells C4s. Mark Lobaccetta (OMER USA) checks in on DB every so often and so will hopefully jump in here and ad some insight.

Scott

Wabostyle · #6 January 8th, 2004

Are the footpockes removable on those Omer Carbons? I have seen a few pair for sale in large sizes, but i was never sure if I could remove the existing footpocks and put my footpockets on....

sturgeon · #7 January 8th, 2004

Wabo,

Yup, removable pockets/blades. If you get the chance to pick up a set of used OMER carbon blades at a good price, I'd jump on it. Or check out http://www.SpecialFins.com for a very similar sized blade called the Hybrid. That’s what I’m using right now.

Scott

unirdna · #8 January 8th, 2004

Quote:

Originally posted by SThompson
I have heard that, while they are fearsome looking, they are actually quite docile and even friendly.

Great pic, Scott.

They use those sharks for many, US TV "be-stupid-for-money" gameshows. The contestants don't know any better, so the first one in the tank usually craps his pants. The others do better after they see that the sharks couldn't care less.

Amazing how such a fearsome looking shark could be so docile.....and this cute little frog has enough poison on its skin to kill 10 humans. Mother Nature is a maaaaaad scientist

.

Wabostyle · #9 January 9th, 2004

Hi Scott....

I have been looking for a pair of those Omer carbons for a while for blue water and to compare to my C4 40's.

Intrestingly enough, I have a pair of specialfins on the way. Not the hybrids, the Kelpies. I am expecting them any day. I have heard alot of good things about Specialfin products, so I decided to give them a try too. The Kelpies should be comparable to my Matrix fins (which are awsome) with the added advantage of a angle in the blade and a camo pattern. Too bad it takes so long to get their product. Anyways, thanks for the info...

CEngelbrecht · #10 January 9th, 2004

Great pic indeed, a worthy candidate for a 2005 DeeperBlue calendar...

With what camera did you take the picture?

ivan · #11 January 9th, 2004

hi

Sick pic Scott totally blue

cheers

frogman · #12 January 9th, 2004

That's trully an amazing pic. Every once in a while there can be a bull shark mixed in with the sand tigers. We had that happen last year when we found a big school of these sharks on a wreck. The bull stole a nice mutton from me and rushed us twice.

Angelos

sturgeon · #13 January 9th, 2004

Wabo,

Let us know what you think of the Kelpies. I'm hoping you got a pair of hards coming because that's what I'm interested in. I'd love to hear a review of them from you.

CEnglebrecht,

About the picture, I didn't take it. Saying this may get it removed from the site but it was done by a proffessional photographer from Skin Diver magazine. I'd give the guy credit but I don't know his name so I can't. Anyway, it was supposed to be for an article about freediving and spearfishing in Hatteras staring my friend Pat and Mark Lobaccetta (OMER USA) but the only article that ran was a little blerb about the sand tigers. The picture is a couple years old and the photographer freely gave it to my friend, so I figured it was probably fair game at this stage. As long as it's not formally published and nobody’s making money off it, I think it's probably ok but if Stephan thinks it should be taken off the website, that's cool by me (don't want anybody getting in trouble over it).

Take care.

Scott

flyboy748 · #14 January 9th, 2004

I've got a pair of those OMER carbons too. Couldn't like them more! Got a great deal on them off of ebay of all places

If I ever break a blade though I'll be checking out the hybrids.

Great pic indeed!

Aaron

Mattedhead · #15 January 9th, 2004

It was photographed by Walt Stearns. They were diving the Proteus and Dixie Arrow wrecks in Hatteras. Mark gave us the whole story the other day...sounds like an amazing few days of freediving....Sharks, Tuna, Wahoo, etc....

Walt was diving a rebreather, sitting at 110-120 and shooting up at Pat and Labo as they dove down to the sharks. Maybe Mark will post the whole story on DB.

-Matt