i recently posted this on craig's list lost and found. i have no illusions of getting the stuff back but the act of writing eased the pain. a rather embarrassing episode of brain-loss follows so go easy
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LOST - mask and snorkel at whytecliff park
last week, i was enjoying a beautiful session of freediving off the point at whytecliff and somehow during this dive, i managed to lose my mask and snorkel. "how is this possible?" you might ask, as it is akin to a skier mysteriously losing both poles mid-run. well, all i can say in my defense is that it takes talent, true talent.
it all began when my 2lb anchor, which keeps my float/flag from drifting, started operating above normal parameters. you see, the problem was that this wee, overzealous anchor had become stuck, like excalibur in the stone stuck, and unfortunately my name is not arthur. i dove down a few times but couldn't budge it as it appeared to be firmly lodged under some buried wood in 20m of water.
wrestling with it awhile at the surface, i discovered the physics of buoyancy was conspiring against me. the harder i tugged from the surface the deeper i sank, even if i kicked madly while laying across my float. the anchor was going nowhere fast and had now become the odds-on favourite to win this tug-o-war.
panting from the exertion at the surface, i contemplated cutting the line as i glumly eyed my knife. it was simply too deep for me to do much thrashing around on the bottom, while holding my breath, and still surface safely. serendipitously, in a column of bubbles rising from the murky depths, two friendly neighborhood scuba divers emerged to save the day. once briefed on the situation, the pair managed to free the anchor without much trouble; however, they reassured me that a good-sized log had caused the problem. what sweet karma, i thought. yes, i loved karma at this moment.
bubble-blowers gone and trusty ('er troublesome) anchor in hand i turned and made for shore. towing my float, i contemplated my good fortune as i dolphin kicked along the surface. this was about the moment i realized i had no mask, which was weird. something like walking out of the change room and onto a crowded pool deck, towel in hand, and realizing you forgot your suit. generally, one hopes to avoid such simple mistakes; however, it only takes a moment of absentmindedness.
where did the mask go, i thought while repeatedly pawing at my head in disbelief? like a dying ninja, concealed by the commotion, my mask had slipped unnoticed off my forehead and sank away. rendered unable to see underwater, there was no chance to search for, or retrieve the mask. unfortunately, no scubies and their telltale bubble trails were to be seen. how non-triumphant, how very non-triumphant indeed, i thought to myself.
mask-less i arrived back at the beach feeling despondent and stupidly naked. as i floated in the shallows i clutched my ten-dollar anchor defensively, like a favoured teddy bear, smarting at the thought of the hundred plus dollars needed to replace the lost gear.
auspiciously, the resident harbour seal decided to pop up for a quick visit and distracted me from my moping. she drifted languidly before me, like a wistful single cloud musing across a sunny sky, floating just beyond arms reach for what seemed like an eternity. off to attend to more pressing matters, she finally turned and sank silently below, her nose and whiskers last to follow.
taking a good look around and a few deep breaths i was struck anew by the beauty of the place. the air filled my lungs and was sweet and salty. the visit with the seal had refreshed my perspective and i felt a sense of relief mixed with just a touch of joy. i hope that someone finds my stuff and makes good use of it (yes, i still love karma).
RIP: my cherished low volume black omer alien mask and black omer zoom snorkel (with partially bitten off left bite tab).
happy day to you all---i need to go to place an order.
sean
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LOST - mask and snorkel at whytecliff park
last week, i was enjoying a beautiful session of freediving off the point at whytecliff and somehow during this dive, i managed to lose my mask and snorkel. "how is this possible?" you might ask, as it is akin to a skier mysteriously losing both poles mid-run. well, all i can say in my defense is that it takes talent, true talent.
it all began when my 2lb anchor, which keeps my float/flag from drifting, started operating above normal parameters. you see, the problem was that this wee, overzealous anchor had become stuck, like excalibur in the stone stuck, and unfortunately my name is not arthur. i dove down a few times but couldn't budge it as it appeared to be firmly lodged under some buried wood in 20m of water.
wrestling with it awhile at the surface, i discovered the physics of buoyancy was conspiring against me. the harder i tugged from the surface the deeper i sank, even if i kicked madly while laying across my float. the anchor was going nowhere fast and had now become the odds-on favourite to win this tug-o-war.
panting from the exertion at the surface, i contemplated cutting the line as i glumly eyed my knife. it was simply too deep for me to do much thrashing around on the bottom, while holding my breath, and still surface safely. serendipitously, in a column of bubbles rising from the murky depths, two friendly neighborhood scuba divers emerged to save the day. once briefed on the situation, the pair managed to free the anchor without much trouble; however, they reassured me that a good-sized log had caused the problem. what sweet karma, i thought. yes, i loved karma at this moment.
bubble-blowers gone and trusty ('er troublesome) anchor in hand i turned and made for shore. towing my float, i contemplated my good fortune as i dolphin kicked along the surface. this was about the moment i realized i had no mask, which was weird. something like walking out of the change room and onto a crowded pool deck, towel in hand, and realizing you forgot your suit. generally, one hopes to avoid such simple mistakes; however, it only takes a moment of absentmindedness.
where did the mask go, i thought while repeatedly pawing at my head in disbelief? like a dying ninja, concealed by the commotion, my mask had slipped unnoticed off my forehead and sank away. rendered unable to see underwater, there was no chance to search for, or retrieve the mask. unfortunately, no scubies and their telltale bubble trails were to be seen. how non-triumphant, how very non-triumphant indeed, i thought to myself.
mask-less i arrived back at the beach feeling despondent and stupidly naked. as i floated in the shallows i clutched my ten-dollar anchor defensively, like a favoured teddy bear, smarting at the thought of the hundred plus dollars needed to replace the lost gear.
auspiciously, the resident harbour seal decided to pop up for a quick visit and distracted me from my moping. she drifted languidly before me, like a wistful single cloud musing across a sunny sky, floating just beyond arms reach for what seemed like an eternity. off to attend to more pressing matters, she finally turned and sank silently below, her nose and whiskers last to follow.
taking a good look around and a few deep breaths i was struck anew by the beauty of the place. the air filled my lungs and was sweet and salty. the visit with the seal had refreshed my perspective and i felt a sense of relief mixed with just a touch of joy. i hope that someone finds my stuff and makes good use of it (yes, i still love karma).
RIP: my cherished low volume black omer alien mask and black omer zoom snorkel (with partially bitten off left bite tab).
happy day to you all---i need to go to place an order.
sean
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