greetings from the Aleutian Islands

[dan magone]

I am a 28 year resident of Dutch Harbor on the Island of Unalaska in the Aleutian Chain, Alaska. I am 55 years old have been a recreational diver for 40 years, a commercial diver for 36 years and am the only freediver I know of in Alaska. I am a spearfisherman and love freediving for its own sake as it gives me a gracefull, simple way to explore God's creation. Since I am a loner freediver and quite off the beaten path I am looking to this forum for input on techniques and safety from the freediving community out there.

Dan Magone

[fogish]

Not sure if anyone in this thread are in places that you occasionally travel in Alaska. I also don't know how many freedive (I just copied the link from because of the thread title). I hope you find answers to your questions here on DB.

http://forums.deeperblue.net/beginner-hunting/70548-spearfishing-alaska.html

[island_sands]

hi Dan
Welcome to DB - i have never been to Alaska and like fogish say, not many of us are from your part of the world but guaranteed we'd like to know more. Do you have a blog, or photos of your dives up there?

[dan magone]

Hello Island Sands and others,
I am just learning this forum stuff and I do not have a blog or whatever but I will try to attach a photo and share a few facts about my area. It is summertime now and most of the snow is gone from sealevel, the hills are turning green and the water is warming up. Winter water temp is around 38 F and its up to a balmy 45 F in the bay right now. For freediving I am using a 9mm wetsuit and 34 lbs of weight split up between a belt and a harness to spread out the load. This is the time of year Pacific Halibut move into shallow water along with everything else thats going on in the Bering Sea in summer.

Have a great day,

Dan

[Adrian]

Hi Dan, that is one impressive halibut!. I had no idea they grew so large. What happens if you don't stone them!

[dan magone]

Adrian
This is a Pacific Halibut the larger cousin of the California Halibut. I saw one on a commercial SCUBA dive at 110' that was approximately 7 feet long. The biggest ones are over 400 lbs. You need break-away gear for large halibut just like any other big game fish then hang on for the sleigh ride.

Have a great evening,

Dan

[island_sands]

wow that is big. bet its good eating too.
A balmy 45F??? BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

[fcallagy]

Big fish Dan well done, cant see that being attached to the belt to easy.

[cdavis]

Hi Dan,

I didn't realize you were in Alaska, must be a fabulous place to dive.

There are a couple of things in the forums that might interest you. First, use the search function to find other Alaska divers. I've seen posts from several, might be some near you. Second, check out some of Fondueset's freediving stories. He dives in Lake Michigan winter and wears a suit that you would like. Might be something useful there.

Connor