Proof of Purchase

Simon
Originally uploaded by Laura Storm.

Seven months have elapsed. A summer has come and gone. Famous people have died and new inventions have appeared. And until now, no sign of any underwater photographs from my 'new' underwater digital camera. Even the superceded model of this camera has now gone out of production. Well, I have now actually produced something, this weekend, with my SaltFree chums, freediving in our favourite quarry. It's a photo of Simon, one of our accomplished 'Angels of the Deep', who keep an eye on us when we are briefly down there.

For two and a half years now, a group of us have been going there month-in month-out, rain or shine. In all that time I have never travelled there without looking forward to the weekend, or left feeling downbeat. We all pitch in and help and encourage each other, meet new targets and achievements, and generally have a good time. This weekend was no exception. Good weather, some new faces, and lots of enthusiasm from everyone. For me it was a last training session too, before heading off to Dahab for the Triple Depth competition.

It was a timely discovery that Free Immersion requires a different approach once you become negatively buoyant. In Constant Weight, you can simply glide down to the plate and use your fins as stabilisers. If you try that with FI ( as I did ), you may well find the weight of your legs pulling you away from the line. It brought me to a full stop twice, and more than an arm's length from the rope, so at 40 metres I aborted the attempt and ascended. The next day I kept my momentum going with long, paused pulls, just to keep in contact with the line. This was far more successful and I made my target depth.

I used to wonder who, apart from my commentators, actually reads my one-dimensional e-scribbling. This little map now gives me a clue.

If this weblog entry hasn't been overly exciting, perhaps the next one will. Or perhaps I'll be able to copy and paste the text from the one I posted after the CIPA competition in May.