WI Spearos got to F.I.T. 2008

[bgill]

Man...That kicks ass guys! I'm still trying to squeak out 4 minutes!

:mute That SWB is some scary stuff hey...Not a very funny thing to see, but I'm sure it made you guys OPEN your eyes WIDE...if I MUST dive alone - I try to keep breath-holds a minute or under. With atleast that long topside in between dives. And yup...I know...:naughty It's crazy to dive alone no matter what... :duhBut sometimes a man's gotta do whatta man's gotta do. You know how it is.

I can't wait 'til you guys get back so I can pry some info from divin' & spearin' with ya'll again soon! Spring is here...We'll maybe...This IS Wisconsin!

Florida's gotta be pretty nice after the winter you guys left! :t

 

[ILDiver]

We actually had a guy B.O. in the pool. It was kind of wierd to see, but good to see at the same time. It comes without warning. You think your fine, then bang, your done. We all dive alone up there, even when together like we have been. Anything can happen at any time. SEEING a B.O. has changed how I view it. You don't have to be pushing the dive for something to go wrong.

Same time on the surface is a good start, but may not be enough. That's why I say, take the class. As far as prying info....without the full class and all the safety that goes with it, it would only be more dangerous for us to tell you what we have learned. That's why all this information is not just laying around on the internet. I'm not trying to sound like a jerk, just being honest.

 

[BennyB]

Well done guys, sounds awesome!

Try some ginger for the sea sickness, on some people it works brilliantly. Ginger beer, ginger biscuits, picked ginger like they have with sushi - it all works. Doesn't make you drowsy either.

Cheers,
Ben

 

[ILDiver]

Thanks on the Ginger. We have been told, but also told it has to build up in the system. On guy bought some tablets, I took one last night. I'm not taking any chances though, I'll go with the Damamine for today and tomorrow too

 

[bgill]

Well said ILDiver...You are absolutely correct! Sooner or later I'll get to FIT or PFI...

Dotey - If you want something bad enough - You CAN get it...I've had the money several times to be able to take the class, get me an open cell, and a Gat-Ku and a better speargun...But something always seems to come up that is more important for my family's well being, not just mine. - So the money slips outta my hands.

However, I WILL get all of these things in due time surely. I think!

And a freediving course would do ANY freediver or spearfisherperson good - Novice or pro - Deep or shallow - Salt or fresh. A SWB in 3 feet of water or 300 makes no difference...You'll most likely drown. Maybe we can go together next spring! Start pinching your pennies now!

 

[ILDiver]

F.I.T. Day 3

So day 3 was 4 hours of class, then a bite to eat, then the boat. The water today was much better. Two foot seas, it was great. I was having a slight issue with my left ear when trying to equalize, but other than that, I started to get my kicks down better, and head position. Getting all the bits to work together is a lot of effort, so much happening and it seems to happen SO fast. You forget one thing and you can mess up the dive. My deepest today was 58' pulling the line to get down. Finning my deepest was 49'.

Tomorrow should be a better day as the technique was getting better by the end of the day. I'm hoping my left ear is cleared up by morning. We have a video review at 8:00, then the boat is at 9:00 I believe. I'm excited to get back in the water, but getting a little nervous. The numbers are not important to me right now. the most important thing is that I'm doing all the little things properly on the dive and the techniques are solid when I leave here. I've asked any questions I have and I'm trying to think of even more. I want as much knowledge from Martin as I can get. Watching him dive is very inspiring. He is effortless. I realize he has only been doing this a day or two :hmm but he does make it look very easy. I can not wait to get to the point where everything just slows down and the dives come more natural. The first 3ft of the dive, I'm doing so much and working so hard, it seems like I can't do it all in the short amount of time it takes.

PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!!!!

It's supper time now!

 

[T2K]

No, we went to the North side of the Skyway bridge and dove the rocks and structure out there. Since we went up to meet Ray Odor, we followed his advice. It worked out well for us. We could have taken more fish had we tried. I actually saw a hogfish, but it was small and moving away. I will get to Point of Rocks on my next trip down I think.

I think you are better off diving around the skyway than Point o rocks. My only experience there was a bad one. You have walk about a mile down the beach to get to point of rocks, because its all private and there is very limited access.

 

[Whopperhead]

Today was a good day. My Techniques are good but could always be better. I was able to hit the 66' mark both with pulling and with kicks. I was having some equalizing problems myself. I'm not as concerned with numbers either- but am looking forward to tomorrow.

After the class- The ocean looked calm. So, I grabbed my camera and fins and went snorkling in the ocean for about 45 mins. Vis was about 30', I saw a Crab, bait fish, stingray and some large fish eating the bait fish- not sure what it was- but it was about 3feet long and would ride the waves in real shallow. It was cool to see.

 

[dotey]

Good job you guys and keep up the good work you guys are doing a great job

 

[bgill]

The experience sounds "awesome" to say the least...Technique is 99% of everything. It's all about efficiency.

Glad you guys ain't "psyched" on the numbers. The numbers will come with time - if numbers what you are going after - and if you keep persuing them.

But you guys are totally on the mark...Refine properly taught techniques first...Make them instinctive...aim for goals then.

Just my opinion.

Here I am talkin' like I'm some kind of pro! roflI'm a novice at best!

But sometimes I do freedive just to freedive...No polespear or gun - just working on technique and efficiency. When I start breaking down my dives and working on what I envision or deem as proper breath ups, relaxation, clearheadedness, duck dive, finning, descent and ascent, and staying "in tune" - My dives can get pretty smooth and almost effortless - a good feeling. The deepest I've been is to about 46 feet as I was limited by the bottom of the particular lake. I think I could hit 60 super easily but am scared without a PROPER dive buddy. That black bottom water also freaks me out! You'll see that on Lower Genessee the last 6 feet or so as the "hole" at 46 feet is not a very big area...Must catch all the crud or something...Yuck!

The guy I usually go with (if I'm not by myself or with one of you guys) can't make it down much past 20 feet...But he can watch me on the vexilar and pull me up with the lanyard! We've actually ran "test drills" for safety's sake. Just never purely "freedived" with you guys yet. A vexilar is cool for the safety...So are underwater cams/viewers if set up properly on another down-line. Ideally three guys is the way to go when pure freediving. One safety on top, one meets you partway back up in SWB territory and a guy on scuba closer to the bottom. Never had the scuba guy myself...I bet the "Freedivapallooza" had that or better. That would've been so cool if I coulda made it.

The hardest part for me is carrying (my own "self taught") refined techniques over into spearfishing - It seems sooner or later I lose focus and I get lost in this "hunting mode" and my breathe-ups, duck dives, and relaxation levels suffer from it tremendously.

When I am truly focused and methodical - More and bigger fish seem to want to die...And the day in general is much less fatiguing and more relaxed.

I'll learn a few thing just from diving with you guys and watching - So bring home them techniques learnes from FIT!

Can't wait to get out with you guys soon!

WATCH out for them rays - Don't wanna end up "stung" or even worse Steve Irwined! Poor Bloke...

Whopp...You getting any video?

 

[Jon]

Sounds like you guys are having a great time.

Even though I started scuba diving in 1980, and have been an instructor since 1984, I felt like a complete novice when I took the PFI class from Kirk, Martin, Karoline, and Eric F. back in 2001. Eric may have not been on the official instructor roster, but I learned many things from him every night at dinner that weren't covered in the regular class.

All of the previous classes I've taken, and diving that I did, were very underwhelming compared to what I learned in 4 days with them- and that's including all of my deco diving/trimix/rebreather courses.

I felt pretty good because I taught myself to freedive to 80' on my own, but after a the first day of class I, instantly, improved by PB by a full 25'! There are so many small things to learn that most scuba divers/instructors don't have a freakin' clue about.:head

I would highly recommend any of the classes to anyone sitting on the fence thinking about it. Unlike scuba courses, where they always try and sell you the next level of C-card, a good 4 day freediver class will give you the foundation to do what you want- it's just up to you to put in the time to train to get to that next level.

As far as the difference between a snorkeler and a freediver goes, I like Terry Mass's definition the best: An inch and a breath.
As long as you go down at least an inch while holding your breath you have officially crossed over into freediver territory.

Enjoy the rest of the class!:friday


Jon

 

[WreckRunner]

I'm thrilled to be the first to congratulate my 2 new fellow level 2 FIT Freedivers!!! Sounds like you guys did an amazing job.......especially given the challenging ocean conditions! I seriously doubt I would have done nearly as well as you guys with half my open water time in 4-6 ft. swells. My hat's off to you both........get your asses safely home and let's go hit some numbers.

I've been avoiding even looking at this thread knowing you two are down there while I'm at my desk.......but I had to at least give you the respect of a good pat on the back.

Nicely done, enjoy some sun, sand and surf for the next couple of days.

 

[ILDiver]

Final Day of Class
To bad it's over, but it really is a relief. I've been stressing a little about the technique and squeezing the most out of this class that I can. I passed and I am invited back to train and if I wish, sign up for a level 3 class.

The day started wih a video review of Day 3's open water. Then we went to the boat. They gave us out t-shirts on the frist day of class. I threw mine in my bag when I got back to the hotel, I did not feel right having it, let alone wearing it. So I threw Martin a bit of a curve. I tossed the t-shirt to him. He asked why, I told him I didn't earn it and if I don't pass the class I don't deserve it. It was just how I felt. His reply was, "you know if you leave it up to me, you may not get it". Great, then I don't deserve it, the shirt is a symbol to me. It says FREEDIVER on the back. I've got my own idea of what classifys a freediver I guess. So when I got the t-shirt back at the end of the day.....it meant 10 times more to me.

So to the dives. We went out and did a good warm up with pulldowns and all the good stuff we were taught. Then into the dives. I was feeling pretty good, things were clicking better now. I have a few flaws in my technique, but I have an idea of where they are now.

A couple of attempts and I was struggling to get to 66'. A couple clearing attempts went bad and I had to abort early on the dives. THEN, Martin is over talking to Paul and I start my dive. The one that he is not there to critique me on I hit 93'. What a terrible feeling to start to turn the dive and see the weight right there, just below. ARGH! I was still very happy with it. I tried a couple more dives, but I was just trying to hard at that point and my focus was a little off.

So 2 new PB's for the week, what do I have to complain about!

We did a lung volume measurement too. Which really does not mean much, but is interesting none the less. The most they had seen to date since doing this was 7.2 liters. I decided to raise the bar! Actually they said it afterwards, but I pulled off a lung volume of 7.3 liters. I need to start stretching!

We went to Austin's Diving Center and that was a nightmare! Traffic through the big loops in Miami near I-75/I-95 we a mess at 4:30ish. But the shop was nice, the guys there are cool. Then we went to the Islamorada Fish Company for supper. Called Jeremy, just to make sure we ordered correctly, as the Conch Fritters were hitting the table. Scott got a Grouper Sandwich, I got a Buffalo Burger, Andreas, a guy from our class got the Grouper Sandwhich too and some Gator Tail. We had a lot of food, could have used some help! Scott brought some of his back, I ate what I ordered

Tomorrow we are going to try and spearfish up near Commercial Pier. Then the plan is to hunt Thursday with Tony B....___ I'd have to look him up on here to know his last name. But he is from DeeperBlue and we met him Sunday. So we are hoping for two good days of spearing.

Then it's back to Bradenton/Sarasota. We have been lucky on weather so far.

One last thing, we got some pics of today's adventures. One for Jeremy will be posted, once Scott gets it all downloaed, then uploaded, then post....

 

[dotey]

well is sounds like you guys did great.

 

[Whopperhead]

It was the Best of Days - It was the Worse of Days

I was feeling a little 'stuffed up' which concerned me. It was calm seas and I was excited to see what the day brought. Well, The day brought me a Broken Ice Fin!!!! :headI got off the boat and swam over to the lines. Did one pull down to about 33' - no kicking. When I surfaced, ILDiver said "Dude, Look at your fin" I looked and it was busted in half!!!! I just started the day, this Can't be happening! Martin then gave his fins to Paul and I wore Paul's C4's. I think this was a set up. Those C4's are flip'n Fantastic! They are so much more productive. My BH's are getting better everyday- I did a pull down to 66' and sat there - with no problems -No urge to breathe. But through out the day I had problems clearing. sometimes it's at 10' some times at 60' - it varied. I was able to go to about 85'- I was doing a 2 Equalizing sink phase. But Overall, I'm glad with my progress.

On another note: Lets keep this post about the F.I.T. trip Report. Not on our own Personal opionions on what a Freediver is and isn't.

 

[WreckRunner]

Hey Chris......in that picture on the left, are you trying to impersonate the pelican behind you, because you look exactly like him!!!

I want to see some pics if you shoot anything off the beach this morning.

If anyone wants to see where they are spearing this morning, Scott and Chris are a couple of miles north of this live webcam:

Greater Fort Lauderdale Beach Cam

Looks a bit choppy, but good enough to get out there and do some huntin!!

 

[GreekDiver]

ILdiver,

Sounds like you had a blast!!

I took the pfi intermediate class last year and it was a lot of fun. I broke my static pb and my constant weight pb. I plan on taking the FIT III class with Martin in August. I cant wait!

 

[ILDiver]

ILdiver,

Sounds like you had a blast!!

I took the pfi intermediate class last year and it was a lot of fun. I broke my static pb and my constant weight pb. I plan on taking the FIT III class with Martin in August. I cant wait!

Martin and Paul are both great guys and awesome divers. Make sure you post about the level 3 and send me a link incase I miss it. I'm strongly considering taking level 3 at some point.

 

[Whopperhead]

Spearfishing The Atlantic Reefs

Well the day started good- We finally saw the Monkeys :friday ILDiver cut up some Apple for them - but they wanted none of that! They wanted Peanut Butter Crackers. They ate our of our hands for a little bit and then off back to their homes. It was Cool!

We Loaded up and Headed for Commercial Pier to check the Vis- The Vis was Great! It was maybe 15-20 feet deep and we could see the bottom very Clear. So we geared up and Headed on out through the 2 foot waves to the reefs. "There are plenty of fish in the sea" Saw all sorts of fish, a Sea Turtle, a 3' Gar, Leopard Stingray, Puffers of all kinds. The Vis in the Water was about 50' and the water temp was 75 degrees. I ended up shooting a 19 inch HOGFISH! ILDiver weighted it - 4#. Not too shabby for my 1st Hog. The swim back to shore SUCKED! The wind had picked up and so did the currant. We ended up beaching ourselves about 3/4 mile away from where we parked. The new float I have is heavy- especially after swimming for 3 hours- plus I had my video camera and my regular camera with housings/ 2 spearguns. ILDiver did come back and help me carry it the rest of the way. It was a good day- Just tiring. rofl

PICS: 1st- Squirrel Monkey, 2nd- ILDiver lining up a shot, 3rd- Whopperhead chasing down a fish, 4th- HammerHead Bringing the Pain to a Hogfish, 5th- Sea Turtle

 

[Whopperhead]

More Pics from today - check out those Nice Fins!

First pic is Whopperhead (me) w/ 19" Hogfish, 2nd: ILDiver with his stringer 2 Hogs and 1 Trigger, 3rd ILDiver feeding the monkeys, 4th: Box Fish?, 5th: Whopperhead heading down to take a peek under some rock ledges.