Celebrating the Majesty of Sharks.
Shark Cage Diving a la Gansbaai
Imagery © Morne Hardenberg
Hi All,
Well I recently had a brain bubble and posted the way that I learned to dive with the Tiger Sharks in South Africa. Having seen the many styles and options for diving with Tiger Sharks I thought it only fair to do so. Saying that, south Africa is also, so far, the only place I have ever ventured to attempt shark cage diving.
One blustery day in mid October back in 2005 whilst on a short project for the Remote Imaging Department of National Geographic I had the chance to head over to Gansbaai to check out Mr. White in all his refinery, on his own terms and in his own backyard, I could hardly contain myself.
One thing I can say about south Africa is about the weather. It has to be one of the few places on Earth where the conditions can make such an about face from one extreme to the other in the shortest amount of time. It's astonishing at times. Our morning ride out from the small town went well and for the most part calm, clear seas reflected our buoyant spirits.
The cage entered the water and the bait lines were deployed, then, as always it was just a matter of waiting. That wait didn't take long. The shout of "Shark on the Bait" caused a flurry of activity on the boat. Those who had been designated as group 1, the first lucky divers, well breath holders, were told to get ready to enter the shark cage for their first experience.
Looking like Pancho Villa after a bout of Seal Team training and with weight belts strung diagonally across their bodies divers would enter the shark cage. Instructions to duck down when a shark was passing either left or right were barked to them from the deckhands. With water temperatures hovering around 18 degrees celcius 7mm wetsuits were the order of the day. The cold was ignored as the chatter and excitement of the encounters were relived through blue lips and chattering teeth.
For many, myself included, the encounters were over way too swiftly. We found ourself weighing anchor in the early afternoon somewhat premature than the planned departure time. This was dictated by the sea state which was becoming increasingly snotty as time went on. By the time we were half way back to port the severity of the southern Oceans opened up, almost perfect storm like we found ourselves in a seemingly shrinking boat facing increasingly huge swells and chop. The boat captain earned his keep that day, as I'm sure he has done so many times since.
Cheers,
Mark.
Hi All,
Well I recently had a brain bubble and posted the way that I learned to dive with the Tiger Sharks in South Africa. Having seen the many styles and options for diving with Tiger Sharks I thought it only fair to do so. Saying that, south Africa is also, so far, the only place I have ever ventured to attempt shark cage diving.
South Africa, one of a few locations one can come face to face with Great White Sharks
One blustery day in mid October back in 2005 whilst on a short project for the Remote Imaging Department of National Geographic I had the chance to head over to Gansbaai to check out Mr. White in all his refinery, on his own terms and in his own backyard, I could hardly contain myself.
One thing I can say about south Africa is about the weather. It has to be one of the few places on Earth where the conditions can make such an about face from one extreme to the other in the shortest amount of time. It's astonishing at times. Our morning ride out from the small town went well and for the most part calm, clear seas reflected our buoyant spirits.
In Gansbaai as well as false Bay the resident Great Whites are know for their breaching behavior.
The cage entered the water and the bait lines were deployed, then, as always it was just a matter of waiting. That wait didn't take long. The shout of "Shark on the Bait" caused a flurry of activity on the boat. Those who had been designated as group 1, the first lucky divers, well breath holders, were told to get ready to enter the shark cage for their first experience.
Looking like Pancho Villa after a bout of Seal Team training and with weight belts strung diagonally across their bodies divers would enter the shark cage. Instructions to duck down when a shark was passing either left or right were barked to them from the deckhands. With water temperatures hovering around 18 degrees celcius 7mm wetsuits were the order of the day. The cold was ignored as the chatter and excitement of the encounters were relived through blue lips and chattering teeth.
How would this guy recount the cage diving experience?
For many, myself included, the encounters were over way too swiftly. We found ourself weighing anchor in the early afternoon somewhat premature than the planned departure time. This was dictated by the sea state which was becoming increasingly snotty as time went on. By the time we were half way back to port the severity of the southern Oceans opened up, almost perfect storm like we found ourselves in a seemingly shrinking boat facing increasingly huge swells and chop. The boat captain earned his keep that day, as I'm sure he has done so many times since.
Cheers,
Mark.
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