Hello from AK

[FjordDiver]

Hello,
My name is Luke. I am an explorer. In Alaska you are raised to be afraid of the water. I wanted to see what was under the water. I got my chance when I went to Hawaii. My first real free diving experience was 2 months straight of diving near Captain Cook Memorial. Even though I was extremely sensitive to pressure changes due to inner ear and sinus problems I went against what my head said and kept at it. It changed me mentally and physically (now I can fly in planes and dive without excruciating pain). I decided I have to find a way to free dive in Alaska for crabs. People said it was crazy, but again I went for it. I ordered a suit and now I'm diving for crabs, exploring the mysterious Alaskan waters and living a dream of mine.
I have finally come to realize I really love free diving. I am ordering a much better set of gear, custom wetsuit and waterway model 1 monofin. I have been asking questions on the internet for ideas on how to improve my tecnique and safety because I have to dive alone, unless I go with a kayaker (I dont know of any free divers in Alaska). My questions often come up with this site, and I very much like the answers, so Im glad to sign up. It is good to meet you all.

 

[Stephan Whelan]

Welcome to DB @FjordDiver

The forums have a search function if there's something specific you'd like to look for. Otherwise, feel free to browse, ask questions, and check out the International Buddy and Trip Reports subforum if you're looking for someone in your area.

See you around the forums!

 

[BatRay]

I've heard that in Alaska, the halibut are huge and the water is chilly. Do you plan to do any spearfishing?

 

[FjordDiver]

I use a 7mm wetsuit. Its not bad unless there is ice on the ocean surface (it gives me horrible brain freeze).
I actually didnt know about spearfishing halibut untill yesterday. I dont like spearfishing much.. I feel bad about stabbing them, I have even thrown back a few crabs who seemed to want to live really bad. Spearfishing to me is a very different experience, you are going down there as a predator. But halibut is a local favorite.. I am seriously considering hunting them.
There was a 500lb halibut caught near here. Anything under 90lb is pretty small.

 

[FjordDiver]

One thing to know about diving in alaska is that the water gets really foggy in the summer because of algae, fish sperm, shellfish eggs, pollen (which piles up 5mm+ thick on land, and 3 feet in the ocean, like this year), and massive amounts of super fine glacier silt (dust). Its because summer is very short and intense (flowers come out before the leaves do for gods sake). The vis has been 3 feet for the past month here (ahhh!!!), but thats cause we are surrounded by glaciers. A scuba diver told me it becomes crystal clear at -100ft. But I dont dive that deep.

 

[FjordDiver]

btw... "Alaska Freedivers Association" recommended from the forums here

 

[BatRay]

90lbs, huh? That would make some nice halibut and chips Not sure what size is generally caught off the coast of California, but I doubt it's that large.

 

[Trelawney]

Hi FjordDiver.

It sounds like you have a very interesting area to dive up there. Welcome to the forum.

 

[denian]

Do keep posting I'm sure we are all very interested how you get on and your way of life ! The nearest I've been up your way is Iceland or Ottawa! Do keep at it.90lbs a small one 9lbs would be a massive one to me!

 

[FjordDiver]

It was beautiful in hawaii, but doesnt have the diversity that alaska has. One of my favorite places is portage cove right in front of Haines (my town). There are fun sea cliffs and shelves, and the creatures that inhabit it change dramatically every week, its like I am in an entirely different area every time I go.
Here in the SE the mountains (I have been told) are more dramatic than the swiss alps. They sit in (normally) glass calm ocean, there is not often a shore, but the mountains plunge directly down into the sea, and keep going hundreds, even thousands of feet vertical to 50 feet horizontal. I used to be scared of the cliffs (until I had a dream about them) now I absolutely love them, they are simply the best for freediving, because you can recover for your next dive while standing on the edge of them.