Ocean Prowler

How To Take Off Your Two Piece Spearfishing Wetsuit

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Pucella) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:31:00 +0000

Here's a little video I got to do for Mako Spearguns on the proper method for removing a two piece wetsuit. How great to be teaching freediving with Vertical Blue here at Dean's Blue Hole on Long Island, Bahamas and also get to share valuable info like this to all the freedivers & spearos out there. Enjoy!

Mako's Carbon Fiber Fins Review

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Pucella) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 13:57:00 +0000

Dano Kahriling of Mako spearguns has surpassed my expectations with Mako's new line of carbon fiber fins. Mako's lineup of fins that they have been introducing over the past five years has been a process of improvements through research and development. Lucky for me this has been my role in helping to do the research and provide feedback to Dano, who then implements this info into the development of the next generation of fins. Being an instructor with the Vertical Blue school in the Bahamas has given me an incredible opportunity to put all these fins to the test. Not only in deep diving the line in Dean's Blue Hole, but also in the hours that we like to spend spearing out on the reefs. Working at a freediving school like Vertical Blue puts me in contact with divers from all over the world and gives me the chance to try their equipment and have them try mine. Through this exchange of information I have given it my best effort to provide Dano with feedback to help develop the best fin possible.
The first fins Mako brought onto the market was their classic plastic fins. These fins are just about the only long blade freediving fin you can find on the market for under $100. Combine their attractive pricing with the durability of a plastic blade and you have a winning combination which has been the reason for them being one of Mako's best selling piece of equipment. Next in the progress of Mako's fin lineup was their fiberglass fin blades. Initially the first production of fiberglass fins were a little too wide causing the blades to knock each other while fining and the softest flex blade was still too stiff. Reporting this info back to Dano had him altering the next batch of fiberglass blades to take this into consideration. It is at this point that I must compliment Dano and his willingness to listen and be open to change in order to make the best product possible. I feel this attitude has brought Mako to become one of the top freediving/spearfishing equipment manufactures in the world in a short time frame. And so it is only natural that Mako has waited to release their top of the line carbon fiber fin blades.
After years of research and development first with their plastic fins, then with their fiberglass fins, all of this fine tuning and tweaking has lead to the creation of their carbon fiber fins. They are the perfect combination of length, width, and flex to allow you to have a relaxed kick and still be moving nicely and when you need to put the power to it the blades will respond like a sports car and get you out of there. I feel the flex and power of the blades is where I have the highest praise for these fins. They seem to match exactly the amount of energy that you put in and respond with the most speed and power of any fin I have ever tried. With other fin blades that may be too soft when you need a boost of speed and power and you put that extra force to the blade they are so soft they flex like a limp noodle and don't provide the necessary “snap” to translate your energy into forward movement through the blade. On the other end of the spectrum, when you have a blade that is too stiff they have tons of power and force as long as you are putting a lot of power and force to them. The downside is when you are needing to conserve your energy with a relaxed kick on your decent or on the surface while fining against a current these stiff blades preform poorly requiring you to exert precious energy. So the perfect balance comes somewhere between the two and this is where Mako's research and development has paid off to provide such a balance.
As a side note I would also like to help inform any Mako customer who is looking to purchase fins or footpockets of what I have learned with their sizing chart. All of their footpockets are sized to be worn with thin (1.5 – 3mm) neoprene socks. Since most of my diving is in the tropical waters of the Bahamas I don't like to wear neoprene socks with my fins. I also like a nice tight fitting footpocket for the best transfer of energy (the more slop and movement of the foot in the footpocket and the more wasted energy). Therefor I have went down one (1) size in their footpocket due to not wearing neoprene socks and my desire for a snug fitting footpocket. I wear a 10 ½ US (44-45) shoe size and with the Mako 10-11 (44-45) footpocket they fit great with neoprene socks but have a bit of room barefoot. With the carbon fins I went with the next size smaller which is an 8-9 US (42-43) and have been extremely happy with the results. Although they were a little too tight the first few dives it seems that now that they have softened up and almost taken on a custom form to my foot providing me with a good snug fit while being soft enough to remain comfortable for all day excursions. So my advice is to think about whether you will be diving in cooler waters where you will need the warmth of neoprene socks and/or if you just like the cushion of wearing a sock even in tropical conditions where ordering a footpocket to match your shoe size will be perfect. On the other hand if your like me and choose not to wear neoprene socks and dive in warm water, then ordering a footpocket one size smaller might provide you with the best results.
I hope this helps those of you out there researching different fin options and looking to take your diving to the next level with a pair of carbon fins. Take a look at the whole lineup of fins Mako has at www.Makospearguns.com and safe diving.

Vertical Blue Freediving Courses in the Bahamas

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Pucella) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:40:00 +0000

If your tired of the cold and looking for a winter getaway then why not combine that desire with a freediving course to improve your skills. Team Vertical Blue on Long Island in the Bahamas has courses that will improve your comfort, safety, and enjoyment at depth which of course will make you a kickass spearo. Vertical Blue was created by world record holder and Apnea Academy Certified Instructor William Trubridge. Courses are taught in the worlds deepest blue hole, Dean's Blue Hole where numerous world records have been made. Claimed by many to be the best freediving location in the world the location for is ideal. Steps away from a protected picture perfect beach the blue hole plummets to 202 meters (660 feet), meaning there is never a blown out day of diving, no thermocline, and consistently good visibility. For more information on Vertical Blue and courses coming up visit VerticalBlue.net. You can also contact me directly if you have any questions or need help planning your trip to Long Island, Bahamas at Brian@verticalblue.net.

Environmental Awareness

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Pucella) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:41:00 +0000

Each and everyone of us has the power to make conscience decisions that have an impact on the environment. Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia is an inspiration for being more aware of our impact and living by example with how he runs his business. We all can learn from him and see how this mindset can also lead to success in business.

Wanderlust

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Pucella) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 04:02:00 +0000

Wandering through the Bahamas, and exploring some of the beautiful land and waters of the out islands. Over the past ten years that I have been sailing and diving here I've seen a dramatic increase in the amount of plastic and trash in the water and along the beaches. I have also seen a decrease in the amount of large fish amongst the reefs. Please be conscious of your actions and respect our oceans and land of this incredible Earth so that future generations can enjoy them as well.

NC Diving

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Pucella) — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 12:34:00 +0000

Here's a look into what some of the diving is like off the Hatteras, North Carolina coast. All filmed with a GoPro!

Inflatable Wetsuit

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Pucella) — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 22:12:00 +0000

Check out this new wetsuit from Billabong with an inflatable bladder. It's a really innovative design that could be transferred to other sports such as freediving and spearfishing.

GoPro User Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Pucella) — Mon, 23 May 2011 16:13:00 +0000

Since getting my GoPro a few months ago I have spent a lot of time using it both as a video recorder and as a still photo camera. Shortly after receiving the GoPro I was required to use it to video competitive freedivers in the 2011 Vertical Blue Freediving Competition. In addition to being responsible for my own video's of the diver's, as the event coordinator I was also responsible for educating the other safety divers and the platform coordinator on the functions and operation of their GoPro cameras. In my free time I would take the GoPro on our exploration's of the island, whether it was on a spearfishing trip or to capture images of one of the many beautiful landscapes. The quality and unique perspective with the ultra wide angle lens makes photos and videos feel like your right there, while it's compact size, featherlight weight, and multiple mounting options makes capturing those images a joy. So here are some of the things I have learned from my experience with the GoPro that will help you get the most out of it.

GoPro Bahamas 2011 from Brian Pucella on Vimeo.

- When shooting video or taking still photos in a controlled environment, remove the camera from the housing for the best color and sound quality.
- When using the camera underwater replace the standard "bubble" lens on the housing with a flat lens. This will dramatically improve color and distortion caused by light refracting through the water. This lens can be purchased at Mako Spearguns.

- Get as close to your subject as possible. With a 170 degree wide angle lens and no zoom, subjects appear distant. The LCD backpack really helps to show you exactly what you are getting.
- On this same note, the LCD screen uses a lot of battery power! Once you are familiar with the view you can go back to just the camera for longer battery life and a lower profile.
- When using the head strap use slow movements for fluid video's. I found by turning with my shoulders the speed and quality was better.
- Mounting the GoPro on a 1m (3ft) pole is a great way to capture interesting views both in and out of the water. It allows you to get closer to subjects and can provide interesting POV's while videoing yourself or following friends.
- The r4 default video resolution setting captures the largest view, but will have black corners when used with the flat lens. This setting will also provide average still photos from a video. The r3 video resolution setting provides a slightly smaller vertical view which eliminates the black corners and with it's 60 frames per second, recording high quality still photos and ultra slow motion playback are possible.

I hope this helps you get the most out of you GoPro camera. They are a fun way to share your activities and adventures with many possible applications due to their high quality and small size. I'd also like to here from you. What are some of your suggestions, things you've learned or crazy things you've used your GoPro for. Please leave a comment and share your knowledge. Thanks and enjoy!

Product Review: MAKO Competition Freediver FG fins (Fiberglass Composite)

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Pucella) — Sun, 01 May 2011 17:45:00 +0000

I've been in the Bahamas now for over a month diving everyday in all kinds of conditions. Before departing the States I picked up a new pair of fins from Mako, manufactures of serious spearfishing gear. Their new line of Mako Competition Freediver FG fins seemed like a good combination of high performance combined with a durable and tough fin that would hold up to the abuse of rocky shore dives and slamming around in a boat as well as being a world class competitive fin. The main purpose of my trip to the Bahamas was to be chief of safety and logistics for the Vertical Blue 2011 freediving competition as well as to be a safety diver. This meant that I was responsible for the setup and operations of the safety team, the medic, the platform coordinator, and the film operations in addition to being a safety diver. This required extensive hours in the water setting up the arena days before the event began, then again everyday before the first diver and after the final dive in order to have the event run on schedule. As a safety diver we are required to dive to depths around 25-30 meters(80-100 feet) on demand, meet the athletes on their accent and provide assistance if necessary. With 18 competitors at this years event, many who were breaking national records and world records, the roll of safety diver was a serious job requiring focus and ability. This being my third Vertical Blue event I was accustom to the regiment and always enjoy working with crew and athletes that William Trubridge brings together for these events.
My previous fins were a pair of Cressi Gara 3000, which have served me well but I could tell after pulling them out of the locker on our boat and seeing them curled into odd shapes and not responding that it was time for something better. In my search for a fin that could handle my performance demands it was obvious that it was either in carbon or fiberglass. Both carbon and fiberglass have a high response meaning you get a good transfer of energy into propulsion. In this area, and to me this is the most important feature, carbon and fiberglass perform very similar. After this they are quite different in respect to price and durability. Carbon fins usually cost about twice as much as fiberglass, sometimes more. Carbon fins are also fragile compared to fiberglass. Which means for something so expensive you really have to protect them. For me this stress is just not worth the small difference. Another great aspect of fiberglass is it's ability to be colored, so for spearfishermen options like blue and green camo are available.
Now that you know why I chose a pair of Mako Competition Freediver FG fins (soft stiffness) you want to know how they have performed. I wore them everyday for the Vertical Blue 2011 event, abused them in the surf while going spearing off remote beaches, threw them around the boat on spear trips out to the islands and outer reefs, and have never loved a pair of fins so much. Whether it was kicking out through some serious shorebreak, against the wind and current to chase a fish down, or to bring a black out victim to the surface from 15 meters, these fins have given me the power when I need it. I have also put an extra 12 meters on my personal best constant weight dive, going from 55 meters to 67 meters using these fins (looking to get 70 meters before I leave). The footpockets are soft and comfortable where they need to be, yet stiff on the sole for a good transfer of energy. And the blue camo pattern got the attention and praise from novice beach goers to many of the professional divers who wanted to try them out. So this feedback is not only from my own experience, but also from the many competitive freedivers who tried them out and told me what they thought. All of them complimented the fit and finish along with the performance, which amongst divers of this caliber say's a lot.

Project Hector Fun

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Pucella) — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 14:49:00 +0000

In December 2010 I had the wonderful opportunity to be a safety diver of William Trubridge's historical 101 meter Constant Weight No Fins dive at Deans Blue Hole on beautiful Long Island in the Bahamas. The Vertical Blue team that pulled together to assist William for this dive spent two weeks together working, diving, spearfishing, and playing on this tropical island. It was an amazing experience where incredible people from all over the world came together for a common purpose, while at the same time forming great friendships. I really think it has to do with the respect and inspiration all of us had for William and as athletes in the same sport bonded together. This video by Matthew Brown gives you a feel for what a great team it was and how this freediving thing just keeps us young at heart.

I Love this video, good feelings!

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Pucella) — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 17:09:00 +0000

Bahamatopia

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Pucella) — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 18:14:00 +0000

Sitting here surrounded by mountains and snow in Snowshoe, West Virginia sure has me thinking of the palm trees and sunshine of the Bahamas. Most winters we spend on our sailboat in the beautiful islands of the Bahamas, but it's times like these that really make us appreciate all aspects of this beautiful world. Over the past ten years that we have been cruising the Bahamas we developed a close connection with the islands, waters, and people of the Bahamas. Through these experiences we realized we were gathering useful and valuable information for people traveling to the Bahamas. It was from friends and family asking about the Bahamas that my wife Jeannette and I decided to embark on the development of Bahamatopia.com, a site dedicated to all aspects of the Bahamas. This includes our personal experiences of all the island we have visited (which are almost all of them) along with history, travel information, real estate, rental information, what to do for fun, and so much more. The best part of Bahamatopia is that it came from our love with the Bahamas and we hope people can feel this passion. So if your planning a vacation to the Bahamas, looking for a tropical getaway close to the US, or if your interested in investing in foreign real estate then there is loads of information to help you along the way at Bahamatopia.com. With over 150 pages Bahamatopia.com is the leading site for everything Bahamas.

www.Bahamatopia.com

Olympus Stylus 1030 SW Review

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Pucella) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 21:08:00 +0000

OK, so I've had the Olympus Stylus 1030 SW camera for almost two years now. In that time I've definitely put it through the test of hard knocks. Living on a boat, literally in the marine environment along with my tendency of being rough with things has made me appreciate having this tough little camera. The immediate benefits I found with this camera was on spearfishing trips where action photos of fish were easily taken without worrying about the camera getting wet or a little blood on it. On board the boat it was nice to finally have a point and shoot compact camera right there in the action. No annoying large underweater housings, no waiting to change lenses or adjust the focus, no digging out the dry box and towels just to capture the moment. Instead with the Olympus Stylus I'm able to grab it with fishy, slimy, bloody hands and shoot away knowing that I can wash it clean without worry. This is where this camera shines and has given me the most value.
I also have the Olympus Stylus 1030 SW underwater housing which allows the camera to be taken to a maximum depth of 150 feet. As nice as this housing is I've found myself pushing the limits of the camera's rated 30 foot depth limit, and probably the manufacture's recommended time to be submerged. My lack of regard has been due to the hassle's associated with the housing, hard to read LCD screen, learning the arrangement of control buttons, and mostly having to have both the housing and camera COMPLETELY dry before use. The last issue was brought to my attention only after an amazing day of diving and upon reviewing all the day's photos and videos to discover the housing had fogged up rendering most everything useless. Since then I keep the housing closed with silica packs inside at all times and only open it to load a dry and clean camera. This means that most days where I know I'll be shooting in the water or underwater, the camera stays in the housing all day. And although it is still a compact size I find it not as easy to operate as the camera by itself.
I have also had one experience the camera leaking into the battery compartment. On that particular day I was not using the housing since I was not using the camera at a depth of more than 15 feet. My only thought was that there was either debris around the seal or the latch to lock the compartment had not be closed completely. Either way saltwater got in and caused a bit of a mess. The biggest problem was the battery which swelled up and had to be pried out and replaced. Otherwise after a good wipe down and light freshwater mist I dried the camera out, loaded a fully charged new battery, and it's still taking great photos today.
So I would have to say my overall rating of this camera is an 8 out of ten. Things that I would improve upon would be more zoom, higher quality video, an underwater setting to improve color a different depths, and maybe some sort of rubberized grip area for a more secure feel in rough conditions. Otherwise if your looking for a great point and shoot camera to capture in action fishing and boating moments without having to worry about a little blood and water getting on it, then this is the camera for the job.

Freediving

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Pucella) — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 20:54:00 +0000

My passion for the ocean has led me the amazing world of competitive freediving. My first introduction to the sport was in the spring of 2006 when we were sailing through the Bahamas and dropped anchor at Long Island. It was here where we met William Trubridge who was attempting a world record constant weight no fins dive to 82 meters. At the time my reaction was one of amazement and inspiration of such an amazing feat. As I got to know William and gain a perspective on the sport my interest turned from a spectator to a participant. Being a serious spearfisherman, my initial attraction was the obvious benefits of being able to hold your breath longer and dive deeper which would translate into better spearfishing. This was definitely true and as I trained and refined my freediving techniques my skill and enjoyment with spearfishing increased as well. It actually increased my proficiency in spearfishing so much that I found myself reaching my limit of fish needed, and putting the spear up and enjoying the pleasures of diving with no restrictions. In doing so you immerse yourself in a beautiful world and become more with one with your surroundings. You are more streamlined and more relaxed which in turns leads to longer dives and a more intimate relationship with the aquatic world. This progression led me to a keen interest in pushing my personal limits with deep freediving. We have returned to Long Island in the Bahamas numerous times and I have been fortunate enough to be a safety diver for William Trubridge and become a member of Team Vertical Blue. In doing so I have had a great opportunity to dive with some of the worlds best freedivers both in a competitive and noncompetitive atmosphere and learn techniques which has helped me push my personal limits. It is a sport which takes complete mental control and focus, while demanding physical conditioning to enjoy it to the fullest. In April 2011 I will be a safety diver for my third Vertical Blue event as well as fitting in a couple official dives for myself. It is a sport where the athletes enjoy the competition and have respect for each other. It has been a beautiful journey that had taken me here and one that I suggest you pursue if your looking to gain an amazing intimacy with the ocean and one within yourself.

Passion For The Bahamas

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Pucella) — Sat, 09 May 2009 02:29:00 +0000

It has been too long since the last post. Installing a new diesel on the sailboat, along with work has kept me from new updates and info. On the flip side I did have a very motivating opportunity to write a post for Jean-Michel Cousteau's website "Notes From The Road". I was requested to write an article about our experience's sailing through the Bahamas, and in particular our experience with Guana Cay in the Abacos. Currently a major developer has destroyed/developed the north end of the island, and is meeting resistance with eco-warriors such as Cousteau. So when him and his team asked me to put something together for the cause, well suddenly priorities got rearranged. So here on Ocean Prowler is the Article/Blog that can also be found at the following link http://www.notesfromtheroad.com/guana.htm .
Changes In The Abacos

Fifteen years ago I had the wonderful opportunity to travel through the Abacos with my parents on their sailboat. I spent the entire three weeks of my college Christmas break exploring the Bahamas, sailing from island to island and getting to know the Bahamas for the first time. Something about that trip hooked me for good, the remainder of my days sitting in class were spent daydreaming of the islands and their magical waters. During that particular trip I had sailed with them to Eleuthera where we spent a week or so before heading to the Abacos where I spent the rest of my vacation. The Bahamas at that time had a feeling of being detached from the rest of the world. The people who called these islands home and the few visitors who made the trek here were rewarded with some of the most unspoiled and pristine ocean ecosystems on Earth. It was this natural beauty that lured me into fantasizing about returning to these islands on my own boat and with more time.
That time came a few years later when I made the commitment to a vessel of my own and a commitment to explore the Bahamas without time constraints. I invited my girlfriend, now wife to join me and after a yard sale she flew down with a one way ticket. I picked her up in Marsh Harbour, Abaco and for the next two months we slowly made circles around all the islands of the Abacos. We lit the famous lighthouse in Hope Town on Elbow Cay, walked the quaint streets of Plymouth on Green Turtle Cay, bought a used snorkel from Troy at Dive Guana on Great Guana Cay, and spent countless days snorkeling the barrier reef that lies just offshore all the islands. Since we were on a shoestring budget with a focus on making our experience last as long as possible we got most of our food from the sea. I had some fishing experience, but after going hungry too many times I discovered getting in the water and spearfishing was a much more effective and proficient form of providing protein. This experience also made both of us somewhat of marine biologist of a sort. Jeannette did not carry a spear, but she was a quick learner and would help me spot prime fish or the telltale antenna of a lobster hiding under a ledge. With more and more time spent in the water we were soon able to quickly discern what certain ecosystems held as far as fish, lobster, conch, and the health of the reef. On this trip we ended up spending seven months sailing through the Bahamas all the way down to Staniel Cay in the Exumas covering roughly five hundred miles within the Bahamas and fifteen islands.
Since then my wife and I have sailed an additional 10,000 miles through the Bahamas and once to the Leeward and Windward islands of the Eastern Caribbean. We have first hand witnessed the difference between a thriving reef and one that more resembles a desert graveyard. With each returning trip to the Abacos we have seen the changes both on land and below the surface. On Great Guana Cay we remember anchoring in Bakers Bay by ourselves, walking our dog through the ruins of the Disney cruise ship depot. Even though they were ruins, the style and motif was that of the islands, somewhat of a Robinson Crousoe theme. Thatch roof buildings that blended with the landscape. Small boardwalks and dirt paths weaved among the casuarinas and palm groves. We would pack a lunch and enjoy the shade of the woods and marvel at how fast nature could reclaim its lost property. It was also a prime location to access the reefs just around on the ocean side. A short dingy ride from the anchorage around the north end of the island lay some of the most prolific reef in the Caribbean. Magnificent staghorn coral gardens, elkhorn coral, and giant brain coral make the reef an astonishing labyrinth of underwater habitat. Coral formations that are scattered across the sugar sand bottom in thirty feet of water and reach to within feet of the surface provide an beautifully balanced ecosystem for a plethora of fish. With water so clear spotting fish on the bottom thirty feet below allows you so observe the wonders of this underwater world in incredible detail. Returning to the miles of beach that make up the shore at the Bakers Bay anchorage after a day of snorkeling the reefs we clean the fish and start a fire as the sun begins to settle in the late afternoon. As other sailors would share this paradise, potluck dinners would form on the beach of Bakers Bay. As the rum and stories flowed into the night around a small fire on the beach friendships were formed in a setting that makes you love life the way you wish everyone could. It was all so simple and free where if you took the time to find the spot you could experience nature at its best.
After years of finding these amazing anchorages and falling in love with all that is provided for us on this beautiful planet we have come to realize how rare these areas are. Not only are these magical destinations far and few between, but they are also very delicate and complex. What makes the Bakers Bay area the ideal tropical paradise with its miles of pristine beach, lush palm groves, and world class reefs are the lure for commercial development. The last time we sailed past Bakers Bay we nearly cried at the destruction of this piece of paradise. Although you can still legally anchor in Bakers Bay it is no longer a place where one would care to spend much time. With their private dock and ferry service shuttling high paying guests to their resort the once ideal anchorage has been bought out by visitors striving to experience the Bakers Bay area how it once was. It's odd how in the attempt to develop and exploit this area for the natural attractions that were the lure in the beginning they are now destroying their most valuable resource. The argument that they are bringing jobs and money to the local population is turning a blind eye to the fact that without preserving the resources already in place, they are taking jobs from the local fishermen, destroying the dive industry as the reefs are being killed from the golf course runoff, and ultimately leaving an ugly scar on the land and in the eye of the locals. Great Guana Cay where Bakers Bay is, is too small of an island to support this scale of development and the ecosystem and locals will be the ones to pay the price.

Wind Power On the Ocean

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Pucella) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 22:35:00 +0000

A few years ago I tried kitesurfing for the first time. My brother had been a sponsored kiteboarder for many years and was always trying to get me to learn, but for some reason I never really got into it. I love sailing all kinds of boats, from small sunfish to delivering 50 foot yachts, once only the sails are pulling you along the magic sets in. The one thing I do remember from my first experience with kitesurfing was the power. I was literally blown away with the amount of power that I had hooked myself into with the kite. On sailboats that power is transmitted into the boat healing over, the mast, the sheets (ropes that control the sails), and some is lost with the resistance of the water. But with a kite as soon as you put it in the air all the power is coming straight to you. I guess this realization of the huge amount of power available through a kite is the reason for an amazing development of using kites to assist with cargo ships.

Kites had been around for many years, but I don't think it was until kitesurfing really took off that people began to rethink the possibilities of harnessing the wind. There is also a group of kitesurfer/fishermen in Hawaii who have converted a sailing trimaran into a kite-powered charter fishing boat. With the grace of steady tradewinds, these islanders and others that have dependable winds might begin to rethink their options for propulsion. Rising fuel costs and a desire to be more eco-friendly are also reasons why we will probably be seeing more and different wind powered vessels out on the oceans. With smaller boats, sails and kites can lend enough power that auxiliary propulsion is only needed to maneuver in restricted areas. On major cargo ships that are out transiting the oceans the use of kites can dramatically reduce their fuel consumption. In ideal conditions fuel savings can be as much as 50%, with a 10-30% average in moderate conditions. Given the massive amount of fuel these ships burn that's a lot of savings, not only in fuel but also in money saved.
So who knows what's around the corner for alternative transportation, or for the next extreme sport. So go fly a kite for fun and feel the power. Let your mind wonder about the next possible way to harness that power, who knows where it will take you.

Lionfish Invade the Atlantic

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Pucella) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 00:39:00 +0000

One of the most beautiful tropical fish people buy for their saltwater aquarium are lionfish. With fan-like fins forming its mane, the maroon and white striped lionfish gracefully conceals its poison within the 18 spines located on top of its body. This natural defense can deliver a nonfatal yet painful, sometimes nauseating sting to humans. Native to the Indo-Pacific region where it has natural predators the lionfish has accidentally been introduced into the Atlantic. The most probable way was by people dumping the fish into the ocean after it became too big for their aquarium, or after they realized what a monster it was eating up all their other expensive tropical fish. This same problem people were witnessing in their own aquarium is now causing concern in the Atlantic. "They're a big problem," said Gail Krueger, outreach coordinator for Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary, which is based out of Savannah, Georgia. "They're voracious and they eat everything, And what they like to eat best is baby grouper and snapper." Gray's Reef, a national marine sanctuary saw it's first exotic lionfish less than two years ago, now they can go out on any given day and collect between 10 and 20 at one site. As for now the lionfish prefer warmer, shallower water, but as sanctuary superintendent Goerge Sedberry said, "We expect that these fish will probably adapt to cooler water as time goes on." Lionfish are native to the Indian and South Pacific oceans, where fish such as sharks, eels, and big groupers keep their numbers down. This is not the case in the Atlantic, where local fish haven't evolved to be wary of the lionfish. A 2008 study in the Bahamas indicated a single lionfish on a small patch of reef could wipe out nearly 80% of native fishes in just five weeks. With sightings as far as Rhode Island in the summer these fish pose a serious threat to the native fish of the Atlantic. Gray's Reef, which helped organize a lionfish hunt, is glad to be rid of as many as possible. Way's to control lionfish are still unknown, but a program in the Bahamas encourages eating them. "Their closely related to rockfish, their delicious" said Akira Kanezaki, assistant manager of aquarium acquisitions at the Georgia Aquarium. Lionfish are also rumored to be an aphrodisiac in Asia, which is just one more good reason we need to go out and collect as many of these Atlantic lionfish as possible. So this is not only an informative introduction to the new appearance of lionfish, but a request to collect, spear, and eat every lionfish you see while out diving. Use caution and common sense when handling these fish to avoid a painful injury. Enjoy the ocean and respect its beauty.

Ocean Education, Sharks and Dolphins

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Pucella) — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 17:37:00 +0000

For most people dolphins invoke feelings of amazement, respect, and a love for these animals that are considered one of the most intelligent animals on Earth. Throughout history there are stories of dolphins saving humans. In Ancient Greece dolphins were so highly regarded that harming one was punishable by death. Even today one would think this respect would still be present with mankind and it's evolution. Unfortunately there is a society who has regressed in their evolution with their complete disregard for the ocean and its animals. My first introduction to the Japanese culture and their complete lack of respect for the ocean that the entire world shares was in the documentary "Sharkwater". Produced by the young marine biologist and filmmaker Rob Stewart, Sharkwater unveils the cause to declining shark population around the world, the Japanese big money industry of shark fin soup. Fueled by a multimillion dollar industry, sharks are being slaughtered strictly for their fins, the remaining fin less, still alive carcass is discarded with no regard for the life being taken. It is a truly moving film that sheds a positive light on sharks and their role in the ocean environment, and ultimately on the quality of our existence. If you have any negative views about sharks whether from the fear provoked by films such as Jaws, or from the media's take on sharks as "man eaters", I urge you to educate yourself on the facts and see Sharkwater.
Hearing this you might think, "OK, so their killing millions of sharks for their fins, surely their not killing dolphins as well . . . . right?!" Wrong! The Japanese are raping the oceans which suggests a microcosm of a larger picture, man's disregard for life. This might be tough for some people to handle, but education is the tool for progressive positive evolution. So don't turn a blind eye, study the facts, research what is happening to our oceans, knowledge is POWER! A powerful team of dedicated scientist, marine biologist, filmmakers, and professional divers have created the Oceanic Preservation Society (OPS). The Oceanic Preservation Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness and creating action to improve the condition of our oceans. Their first documentary film "The Cove" uncovers an annual dolphin massacre that takes place in a hidden cove in Taiji, Japan. The film examines the oceans and our hearts as the theme expands to explore the impact of coal-burning facilities and their connection to high levels of mercury in seafood, man's primary source of protein. The Cove is set to be released in the spring of 2009. Freediving enthusiast will enjoy OPS team members Kirk Krack and Mandy-Rea Cruickshank, two of the world best freedivers involvement with the film production. This is your chance to take an active part and all it takes is watching this, knowing what is happening, and spreading the energy that this must stop. As they say in the trailer, "If the world finds out what goes on here, we'll be shut down." Well we are the world, and each and everyone of us can make a difference. Educate yourself, educate others, spread the knowledge and spread the power. Energy flows where attention goes!

Visit the Oceanic Preservation Society at, http://www.opsociety.org/,
Watch The Cove movie trailer at the top of the page on the left or visit, http://thecovemovie.com/

Ocean Awareness

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Pucella) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 02:46:00 +0000

Coral Reef Adventure: An IMAX Flim

Today was my wife's birthday and one of her gift's was MacCillvray Freeman's film Coral Reef Adventures. This film was originally created for exhibition in IMAX theaters so anyone with a good home theater system will apperciate the wonderful quality of this film. It takes you on an amazing "dream job" of traveling through the South Pacific diving and exploring the most beautiful reef on the planet. Howard and Michele Hall lead the expedition not just to capture on film the dazzling underwater world of coral reefs, but to educate you on this fragile ecosystem that is being destroyed my mankind. Couple the most exhilarating videography with a soundtrack written and recorded exclusively by Crosby, Stills & Nash and it is sure to be a movie to change your world view. My personal view was to question what I could do to help protect this wonderful ecosystem. One reaccuring theme was to educate yourself with the facts. Knowledge is power, and that is why I felt compeled to share this information. Each individual CAN make a difference, put them all together and we can be proud of the Earth and Oceans we leave behind for future generations. A few sites I found to be full of helpfull information were: www.projectaware.org , www.coralfilm.com , and reefcheck.org. You can also contact you local PADI dive shop (they are an affiliate with Project Aware) and find out available courses and conservation programs available in your area, or visit www.padi.com/scuba. Educate yourself and others, become involved, it will make a difference.
Everyday Actions / What Can You Do to Save Coral Reefs?

1. Become a member of Reef Check or email rcinfo@reefcheck.org for details.

2. Support reef-friendly businesses. Ask what your dive shop, boating store, tour operators, hotel and other coastal businesses are doing to save the coral reefs. Let them know how you are an informed consumer and care about reefs.

3. Don’t use chemically enhanced pesticides and fertilizers. Although you may live thousands of miles from a coral reef ecosystem, these products end up in the watershed and may ultimately impact the waters that support coral.

4. Volunteer for a reef cleanup. You don’t live near a coral reef? Then do what many people do on their vacation: visit a coral reef. Spend an afternoon enjoying the beauty of one of the world’s treasures while helping to preserve it for future generations.

5. Learn more about coral reefs. How many different species live in reefs? What new medicines have been discovered in reef organisms? Participate in training or educational programs that focus on reef ecology. You can find out about these trainings at www.reefcheck.org. When you further your own education, you can help others understand the fragility and value of the world’s coral reefs.

6. Become a member of your local aquarium or zoo. Ask what they are doing and what your donation can do towards saving the world’s coral reefs. The answer may pleasantly surprise you.

7. When you visit a coral reef, help keep it healthy by respecting all local guidelines, recommendations, regulations, and customs. Ask local authorities or your dive shop how to protect the reef.

8. When you visit a coral reef, always wear waterproof sun block. This keeps it from coming off in the water and causing pollution.

9. When snorkeling, always wear a flotation device. This keeps you from getting tired and stepping on the reefs which could break or kill it.

10. Never take a piece of the reef not even a small bit.

11. Don’t buy food to feed the fish when visiting a reef. When the fish find their own food on the reef, it keeps it healthy.

12. Support conservation organizations. Many of them have coral reef programs, and your much-needed monetary support will make a big difference.

13. Spread the word. Remember your own excitement at learning how important the planet’s coral reefs are to us and the intricate global ecosystem. Sharing this excitement gets everyone you speak with involved.

14. Be an informed consumer. Consider carefully the coral objects that you buy for your coffee table. Ask the store owner or manager from what country the coral is taken and whether or not that country has a management plan to insure that the harvest was legal and sustainable over time.

15. Don’t pollute. Never put garbage or human waste in the water. Don’t leave trash on the beach.

16. Recycle. This is the first step each of us can take to make a change. Recycle anything and everything. If your community doesn’t have a program, do it anyway, and get one started.

17. Conserve water. The less water you use the less runoff and waste water that eventually finds its way back into our oceans.

18. Report dumping or other illegal activities. Environmental enforcement cannot be everywhere, and your involvement can make a big difference.

19. Keep it clean. You may be in the habit of picking up your own trash. You may even participate in an organized clean up. But have you considered carrying away the trash that others have left behind?

20. Only buy marine aquarium fish if you know they have been collected in an ecologically sound manner. In some areas, marine fish harvested for the pet trade are stunned with sodium cyanide so that capturing them is easier. That method harms the coral.

21. Surf the net. Many different addresses exist to link you to information about coral reefs and what you can do to become involved. A good starting point is here

22. Don’t start a live rock aquarium. Although this living rock is still harvested legally in some places, its collection is devastating to the reef organisms’ habitat.

23. Hire local guides when visiting a coral reef ecosystem. Not only do you learn about the local resources, but you will be protecting the future of the reef by supporting a non-consumptive economy around the reef.

24. Don’t anchor on the reef. If you go boating near a coral reef, use mooring buoy systems when they are available.

25. If you dive, don’t touch. Take only pictures and leave only bubbles. Keep your fins, gear, and hands away from the coral, as this contact can hurt you and will damage the delicate coral animals. Stay off the bottom because stirred-up sediment can settle on coral and smother it.

26. Volunteer. Volunteer and community coral reef monitoring programs (such as Reef Check) are very important. If you do not live near a coast, get involved in your local save the river (bay, lake, etc) program. Remember, all watersheds affect the oceans and eventually the coral reefs.

27. Support the creation and maintenance of marine parks and reserves. Encourage your friends to get involved with projects to protect special areas.

28. Be a wastewater crusader. Make sure that sewage from your boat, from other boats, and from land is correctly treated. The nutrients from sewage feed growing algae that can smother and kill corals.

29. Inform yourself. Find out about existing and proposed laws, programs, and projects that could affect the world’s reefs.

30. When eating seafood, make choices for healthy oceans. Your consumer choices make a difference. Use this guide to make informed choices when ordering seafood.

Excerpt from "Manual of Freediving Underwater On A Single Breath"

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Pucella) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:03:00 +0000

The Coconut, Coral and the Sea: Small Story, Almost Zen

Brisby, the old Maldivian fisherman: "I saw you in the sea today. My compliments", he says, in uncertain English. "I really like how you move underwater. I am only an old fisherman, but allow me to give you a piece of advice. Remember that you can go underwater in two ways".
So saying, he takes out a small piece of coral and throws it into the sea; then from a coconut he pours the sweet, white liquid: "Look", he continues, "coral and coconut milk are now together in the water. But the coral is still coral, while the coconut milk is now sea: when you move underwater you must not be like the coral, but like the coconut. When you dive you must not go against the sea; it should not be you, your body, your skin and the sea, but each part of your body must become at one with the water".

Freediving & Spearfishing

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Pucella) — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 17:34:00 +0000

One of my favorite ocean activities is freedive spearfishing. It all started due to a need for food while sailing away from civilization where you cannot just stop by the local grocery store for fresh food. Living off canned food gets old real quick, and we couldn't afford refrigeration and definitely didn't have a freezer. This meant our only source of fresh food would come from the sea. Fishing was my first avenue for collecting our protein, but that was always just blind luck and left us hungry too many nights. Getting in the water and being able to select your catch provided much better results. Not only was I able to select my catch, but I also avoided the unnecessary kills by gut hooking fish that were not desired. Selective hunting also resulted in bigger and better fish since in most environments I could take a toll of the fish in an area and come back to the ones that I wanted. No more random luck when you can see and chose your fish.
Freediving also gave me a chance to be active and stay in shape. Fishing is never a very active sport, especially compared to freedive spearfishing. It gave me something to look forward to by exploring the reefs and seeing things that are unlike the terra-firma world we inhabit. It made me push myself to go deeper and stay down longer to spend more time in such a beautiful environment. It also brought about an awareness to look inside and push my personal limits by listening closely to my body and controlling my mind to stay relaxed. Freediving noways is more closely related to yoga than it ever has been, and the zen-like state that one goes into when you enter the silent underworld is amazing and addictive. It has changed my life not only in the water, but how I approach everything. Your more conscious of your breathing, of your every movement and thought. You tend to be in a more relaxed state of mind out of the water since that is your main focus in the water. Umberto Pelizzari, who broke 17 world records in all disciplines of freediving sums it up best, "The scuba diver dives to look around. The freediver dives to look inside."
As you can see spearfishing and providing food on the table has developed into a deep desire to improve my freediving capabilities. Since in order to improve your spearfishing you must improve your breath holding abilities, changing my focus from spearfishing to "apnea" (breath holding) was a natural transition for me. In the beginning this process occurred simply through striving to reach new limits both in depth and duration. Along this journey of trial and error learning I was fortunate enough to meet an exceptional individual, William Trubridge (www.Verticalblue.net) who has broke many world records and continues to do so in the constant weight no fins division of apnea. William opened my eyes to the scientific view of freediving and showed me some simple techniques that when practiced correctly quickly improved my freediving. He also shared with me an extremely valuable book for improving my freediving, "Manual of Freediving, Underwater on a Single Breath" which he translated into English from the original Italian authors Umberto Pelizzari and Stefano Tovaglieri. (In another blog I will give a complete review of this invaluable book.) With this book at my side I continue to learn and push myself while participating in one of the most beautiful sports on the planet.
As my skills in apnea progress I have found once again that my enjoyment with the sport has taken on a new perspective. In the beginning it was as a means to provide food, as I became a more proficient hunter the focus of enjoyment came from learning about myself and pushing my physical and mental boundaries. This aspect will remain with me as long as I die since there will always be things I can learn about myself and a meter deeper to dive. The new perspective that I look forward to learning is underwater photography. I recently got my first digital underwater camera, an Olympus 1030 SW, and am extremely excited to hunt for the best images underwater to share. It was a purchase that I researched extensively in order to feel like I was getting the most value for my money without having to get a mortgage. The camera itself is waterproof to 35', shockproof, has a wide angle lens standard, able to take video clips, and has 10.1 megapixel's. With the optional underwater housing the maximum depth is 40 meter (131 feet) with all the cameras functions available. As my experience with this camera continues I will update this blog with photos and comments on the pros and cons of this setup.
I hope you enjoyed this post and get out there and start living your dreams

Ocean Prowler

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Pucella) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:37:00 +0000

Welcome to Ocean Prowler, a site devoted to discovering ocean adventures. My life has always revolved around the ocean and my enthusiasm for the sea has not only shaped the life I live but has given the direction and stoke I feel for creating this blog. It will take many different twists and turns with the blogs I post just like life but with one underlying genera always constant, the amazing ocean. Living on a sailboat for nine years with my wife and traveling the East Coast of the US and the Caribbean has introduced me to many lifestyles and cultures surrounding the ocean. It has also allowed me to persue activities that I am passionate about such as sailing, surfing, fishing, diving (both freediving and scuba diving), and spearfishing. Everyday is a wonderful journey that I am grateful to experience and would like to share with others as a motivator to get you out there and experience this beautiful planet or at the least to entertain and educate.