|
GREETINGS SHARK FANS!
The Guadalupe shark season has started up at
full speed!
We have just completed our fourth trip of the season,
which was our 100th trip overall to this magnificent
island.
The sharks were waiting for us and the action has
been incredible. We had seven sharks on our first trip
and
more than 15 on our fourth (100th) and the BIG boys
showed up to help make our milestone momentous.
We have had the island and our sharks all
to ourselves and the weather has been absolutely
perfect. We have enjoyed perfect crossings and some
really excellent Blue whale encounters as we depart
Ensenada.
The Solmar V was, as always, fresh out of the
boatyard in perfect condition. Likewise, her crew was
well-
prepared and
eager for another season of heart-racing adventures.
Luxury Shark Diving
We Can Make It Happen! |
 |
|
When you want to enjoy the world's ultimate
shark diving experience, but you do not have 5 days to
do it, just call us and set up a seaplane to take
you to the Solmar V.
The finest shark diving
vessel
with the most experienced crew will soon be offering 2
and 3 day trips to Guadalupe via this beautiful classic
aircraft.
On the
3rd trip of the 2008 season we sailed from Ensenada
without any
passengers. Our guests met us at the island after
flying there in this gorgeous seaplane. We had 3
sharks
waiting for them when they arrived.
We have an exclusive relationship with the owner
and pilot. Shark Diving International will be the only
operator to offer this elite service for our corporate
clientele.
When you want the very best, there is only one
team to call.
Call Shark Diving International!
|
| GWA Celebrates 10 Years at the Farallons |
|
In addition to reaching the historic achievement of
conducting 100 Guadalupe expeditions, Great White
Adventures also celebrates its 10th year of diving the
Farallons. What started out as a personal adventure
for
Lawrence and his friends has turned into an eco-tour
anyone can enjoy.
Over the past 10 years we've had
numerous exceptional encounters from Orcas to great
white shark on elephant seal predations to a white
shark
feeding frenzy on a dead Blue whale!
In the coming months our expedition vessel, the
Superfish, will be adding new features that are sure to
enhance the already fascinating voyage. We are
pleased
to announce the addition of a hot tub which will help
offset the chill of the Northern Pacific ocean after a day
of
sharking. While kicking back in the newly-installed hot
tub, you'll also be able to enjoy Champagne, California
wine or locally-brewed beers. Soft drinks, juices and
water are available, as well, of course.
The white shark action is already starting. Not only
have
sharks been spotted at the Farallons, but they're
preying
on elephant seals! What better way to treat yourself
than
to partake in 3 of life's indulgences: great white
sharks,
cold beverages and a hot tub! Don't miss out, join us
for
a day trip or two this fall!
|
Albino Whale Shark Found
by Our Very Own Deep Blue Crew |
|
My dear friend Antonio Moreano, whom I have
been diving with for 6 years now, both in the
Galapagos and Guadalupe, had a once in a lifetime
dive off the eastern coast of Darwin
Island recently.
Preparing to dive, they were still in the panga
from the liveaboard Deep Blue when the
shark's gigantic, pale form materialized.
Antonio dove into the water with just mask and fins
and managed, as the shark swam by, to
momentarily stay with it and capture some incredible
shots
of the rarest of sea creatures. I have made 7 trips to
Galapagos with Antonio and he has always shown me
the most amazing animals. This could not have
happened to a better dive guide.
Antonio immediately recognized the animal
as a whale shark from its size - but thought it must be
swimming upside-down to have been so white!
The shark was identified as a female adult of 10m or
more in length. Antonio did see her eye, which was
also white. Experts have now concluded that the
sighting was
most probably "the first report of an albino whale
shark, although occasional reports of other species of
sharks have been documented".
GOOD JOB AMIGO!
Photography: Antonio Moreano
|
|
100 SUCCESSFUL EXPEDITIONS
100% FOR 100 |
|
|
|
I love this island and I
really love these sharks!
Last year when I realized that we
were rapidly
approaching the significant
milestone of completing
our 100th expedition to this magical
place, I said to
myself, "Wow, I bet that will be a
cool trip!" Well, I had
no idea what an understatement that
would turn
out to be. Every year my brother books
half the boat for
his friends and clients. This year he
called and asked what we had
available. I told
him all
the open dates and
pointed out the one that would be our 100th trip.
He agreed that it sounded like a special trip and said
to put him on it. That was how
things started to come into focus
for me. I was really
looking forward to this trip.
I tried not to hype it up
too much. I just wanted to get back
to Guadalupe and
see my sharks.
When the day finally
arrived I
was excited. Most of the guests arrived at Ensenada
the day before so we got to go out on the town and
have a great dinner with some of the crew. We were
ready and raring to go.
The crossing to
the island
was
picture-perfect - calm
seas and clear skies. As we approached the island, I
saw a familiar vessel near pilot rock. It was the
Searcher, there fishing on a 5-day trip out of San
Diego.
It was so cool to see her there as we have been going
to Guadalupe on the Searcher since 2002 and most of
the 100 trips were aboard her. I got to speak with
Capt. Art Taylor on the VHF and he wished us well. He
also stated that he was getting ready to leave as there
were too many sharks around to get any good fishing
done. I love that boat and her crew is some of the
greatest mariners I know. It was going to be a
great day!
Another good omen was the return of a dear old
friend, Zapata.
He swam up to the
cage just as it was being deployed, 5
minutes after
anchoring, and way before we started
chumming. In
fact, I was still doing the dive
safety briefing. I knew that
this was going to be an epic trip of
biblical proportions.
We had a total of 15 individual sharks during our 3
days at the island. As always this time of year they
were all males. On the second day, we were joined
by an even larger brute than Zapata (who is all of
14 feet and really wide). The other sharks ranged from
5 to 10 feet. They would show up every morning at 6
A.M. as if on cue and the action would last until 5 or 6
P.M.
We have known Zapata for a few years now. In fact
he joined Erick and me on our world-record deep dive
last year. He likes to swim very close to our
submersible cage so when we were down at 120 feet
with this massive shark and 7 of his buddies it
definitely made for an unforgettable experience.
Zapata is also well-known for his breaching near the
boat and our friend Wyland has previously captured
video of
him breaching right in front of the cages. It
was nothing short of spectacular!
Zapata is a very intelligent shark. He leads his target
when going after the hang baits. He aims for the buoy
and when we pull at the last second, the bait usually
ends up right where he wants it, in his mouth. If we are
too slow and pull too late he gets the buoy. This was
only our 4th trip of the season and we were not quite
up-to-speed on our wrangling yet for a shark of
Zapata's class. He bit 4 buoys on the second day
Alone!
The cage action was non-stop for 3 days. Everyone
including the crew spent literally hours in the water
watching the astonishing display. The photos and
video
are just extraordinary. We had excellent visibility and
bright sunshine all day, everyday. By dinner time
everyone was ready to party and celebrate the
amazing day.
With the island to ourselves, having friends and family
on board, seeing the Searcher as we arrived and
getting to speak with Capt. Taylor plus having
one of my favorite sharks come to see me made this
trip was one of, if not, the greatest trip of all time.
A few of the guests that had not been on our trips
before kept asking me, "Is it always
like this?" I would just smile and say "Yeah, especially
when Zapata is around".
I feel so lucky and honored to be where I am in my life.
I have made so many great friends and shared so
many priceless experiences with them.
 I am living the
dream!
Lawrence
Grothphotos by Kat Fisher and
Geronino Pangero
Come join us this year for more epic white shark action!
|
|
