To all swimming-loving ladies 🧜♀️
Did you think the sport of freediving is just for guys? Far from! We are becoming more and more freediving ladies along the Norwegian coast. Do you think Rogaland has the densest mermaid population in the country? With a good freediving suit you can jump into the sea all year round; whether you are a photographer, underwater hunter, environmentalist, marine biologist, or just curious about life in the sea. Here in Rogaland, we are lucky to have a short distance to the water's edge and can choose from many beautiful and varied underwater landscapes. Come along then! On the picture collage you can see these local mermaids in action: Elisabeth Tønnessen (leader and prime mover of the Rogaland underwater hunting and freediving club), Kersti Kesper, Anita Andersen, Céline Bjerga, Lidija Vukic, Renate Heimark, Rebekka Bø Rolfsen, Ingjerd H. Haarstad, Liv Elise Skjørestad. With myself we count ten! The free water life has room for you too.
For inspiration: Underwater girls in Norway (Fb), @jentersomfridykker , @articdivingchicas .
If you wonder if there is a Freediving Club near you, ask via the Freediving Forum on FB.
Regards, Christine
Travel letter from Tromsø at the beginning of June 2019.
Early summer in the north offered just the right visibility, strong current and a good portion of catfish in the food box. The little gray "dinosaur" is a rare commodity for us Roglanders, and few of us had experience with the behavior of this fish. We went in search of the delicacy with horror mixed with joy.
Thick skin and a lot of bone made it extra important to harpoon the arrow with sufficient force to get the barb completely through. A challenge when the fish usually lie at rest on rocky ground. We soon discovered that the catfish gets incredibly angry and strong when it defends itself. It is tough and bites! Sometimes it seemed almost immortal. It was safest to take the fish ashore to kill it.
The "unfish", which people did not want, is today a sought-after culinary treat. It is fixed in the fish, and it therefore gives us many possibilities in the kitchen. It can withstand being cut into strips and pieces, and can be fried in a wok together with vegetables, spices and seasoning sauces. Catfish can be fried, and on the grill it is easy to handle. (NDLA)
According to the Norwegian Maritime Research Institute, the population of gray catfish is slowly declining , so the wording of the advice to freedivers and other fishermen is mainly; don't take more than you need for your own pot, and if you catch a small specimen, it is an advantage if you let it live a little longer :-)
"Ugly" is perhaps an expression that suits this fish? Severe jaw and deterrent teeth, but at the same time evolutionarily perfect. Adapted to its rough surroundings, the catfish is a survivor. Respect for a fish that gnaws crabs, sea urchins and shits spikes, and at the same time tastes so good! Thank you for the good meals, Herr Steinbit, and lucky us who get to taste Krzysztof's traditional fish soup on our annual diving trips along the Norwegian coast :-)
Thanks for a great trip, Gregor, Krzysztof and Krister!
Regards, Christine
HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUTDOOR LIFE IN 2017
A film without a single harpoon shot. Took the "narcissist stick" with me and filmed some of my happiest moments in the water. The youngest boy thought I chose overly sad music, but for me it reflects a wonderful atmosphere that fills my head and body when I dive. Me and the fishing kayak have had some nice trips on non-rotation days. It gives me a large hunting radius, is impossible to capsize and I can jump into the water and crawl back aboard in deep water. The kayak never sinks and replaces the diving buoy quite well. Remember to have a clearly visible flag on board. On days with good weather and extra good time, it's time for beach logging on islets and peaceful beaches. A priceless break from all the noise in the city. Recommended!
"You're diving alone?! Isn't that dangerous, then?" Yes, I often dive alone and yes, it can be dangerous to dive if I am foolhardy. In my opinion, you are always alone when diving, regardless of whether a buddy is nearby. When hunting with harpoons, we keep a good distance from each other. If one of us passes out, the lungs will quickly fill with water and you will sink to the bottom. Then there is no buoyancy and it will take so many minutes before buddy can lift you to the surface, that you are already well on your way into the eternal hunting grounds.. Unpleasant to think about, but important to remember so that you take responsibility for yourself himself on every dive, and does not let the companionship with a buddy give a false sense of security. It's always tempting to push yourself a little extra when the big trophy fish swims by and you really should get up for air. I hope 2018 offers all freedivers only safe trips in the kelp forest. Fingers are also crossed that boat drivers become wiser and have sharper vision.. Stay safe all diving buddies!
Thanks for the old and happy new year.
Regards, Christine
ANGLOYA!
FISHING LUCK IN KRISTIANSUND
On tour with Krzysztof Klimas, Krzysztof Gregor, Jacek Dykta, Krister Austarheim and Amund Lundvall in spring 2015 and 2016
Don't dive, don't dive", we are told when we have made it north. What!!? Diving technique, improvement of depth times, - it's down and holding your breath that we practiced!! ".., no, just wait, just wait, - on the surface", says our local guide, Ørjan Dyrnes. The expert, and many times champion in underwater hunting, has come by the wheelhouse to give us good tips. He also takes us in the boat on a tour of Kristiansund's archipelago to try our luck fishing at shoals and islets. The area is a paradise for fishing, but perhaps the place's "hottest spot" for UV hunting is the deep strait an hour's drive further north. Here, under the bridge, is where the big fish live.
As we swim up to the bridge piers, white shadows appear below us. The fish come up to the surface to eat, and maybe they are also a little curious about us. The bright chin of the beard reveals who it is that rises vertically from the depths. We who are from the land of the lyre in the south-west are used to fish of moderate size that have quick, nimble tail kicks. What we see today, on the other hand, is a slow, heavy drog that doesn't look like it's used to guarding itself against enemies. The large cod looks fearless as it glides past below us, before it sinks back down after a quick dash into the sea hour.
Now we have to wait. Wait for one of the "submarines" to come close enough to hit from the surface, and the UV hunter is in the fish's blind spot - right above the broad head. If you hit correctly and the fish dies instantly, you avoid the fish splashing and scaring away the rest of the family..
I still allowed myself to be tempted to dive down, it happens almost on autopilot, - I just have to go down and have a look, - and voila! Gone.. Now I understand what Ørjan meant. I am discovered and my intentions are revealed. The cod does not return after a quick round trip, as the lyre often does. You just have to paddle on to the next pillar and try again there. Lesson learned..
I orient myself towards the middle of the strait. Fortunately, clusters of mussels grow under the bridge, which you can cling to, and get a breather after a swim in a strong current. It will still be a small dive. I follow a cod that has started to dive down. Without splashing, I sink down over the back of the cod and can put the arrow in the head. Finally fishing luck! And for the first time I experience being pulled further down by the catch at the end of the line!
Local fishermen appear when the catch is brought ashore - "Damn nice fish!". We take it as a complement and hope the catch tastes as good as it looks :-) The open water life is great! Both hiking companions and like-minded people we meet on our travels are all generous souls who happily share their best fishing tips and enjoy each other's catches. Fiskfrælste are really nice people!
ALTA, STOREKORSNES, AUGUST 2014
North to find the big fish and the king crab. Tollbooth? Well, maybe we were a bit arrogant when we pre-ordered an extra package to bring all the catch home with us.
Alta Rent-a-Wreck lent us a car with "charm" , and in light coal-free intoxication the trip went to Kvalsund (lots of pale and strong current), to mullet picking at Sennaland and on all the way to Nordkapp. We stopped in the Porsanger Fjord in the hope of finding troll crabs. The treat can be found in shallow water in the four main fjords in Finnmark during the warmest season. Next time we have to ask Ørjan Dyrnes' friend to be our guide..
The fish is deep in the north. Far too deep to reach with a harpoon, it turned out. Two dives per day and minimal catch. We hoped to find nice cod that had come inland to fatten up on brush before winter. One nice fish was caught, - with the hands! A shameless cod cod came too close to Krister, and was dragged to the surface by its tail. Despite all the golden tips from the locals that "queita, she's now right out there waiting", we came home empty-handed.
People in the know had recently seen whales, and according to them, the big fish was lying terrified on the bottom with a poor appetite. There was barbecue for dinner; whale meat from Karasjok Landhandel tasted great!
We had to go out in a boat to catch. No large cod, but in return LOTS of long, tusk, pollock and lyre! Civil disobedience is not usually my style. Only with one exception; fish in the luggage ;-)
Thanks for the trip, Amund Lundvall, Krister Austarheim, Krzysztof Klimas and Krzysztof Gregor!
TRIPS THAT HAVE BEEN..
STEIGEN – June 2013
..as an assistant on freediving courses for residents of Leines.
The very "tenderloin" of the Lofoten area, according to course organizer Ommund Stokka. He was right. What a wonderful nature!! I am attaching a small bundle of many photos I took during three hectic course days.
Unfortunately, there was little time for underwater hunting, so this place remains an unexplored area that I would like to return to!
A LITTLE VIDEO
Hello all known and unknown dive buddies!
My name is Christine, I'm 45 years old (time flies!) and I'm one of Stavanger's keen UV hunters.
For me, freediving is living out the same fascination for the underwater world that I had as a child. I was probably the lifeguard's terror in the pool every Saturday, had almost permanent swimming goggles after summer holidays, and grew up in a family that taught me the joy of harvesting from nature. The most magical moments were probably joining grandfather and picking up yarn. The excitement, the anticipation - will there be a catch today? How nice it was to hang over the boat rig and look down into the water. Underwater hunting, - for a perfect combination of all great experiences!! If only I had discovered this sport sooner! 6 years ago, an adult lady showed up for a Freediving course, in a newly purchased wetsuit and longing for the water...
Frivannsliv asked me to share my diving happiness with you through photos and trip stories. What an honorable mission! Welcome to my blog :-)
I will never be a marine mammal. At least not if it is measured in time and depth meters. The ex-smoker has to take asthma medicine every day, and that probably limits his endurance. Instead, I can probably say that I am reasonably good at technique, I balance without holding my nose, and am extremely comfortable in the water - regardless of the weather :-)
I think Simon Krüger answers wisely when people ask how long he can hold his breath; I hold my breath sufficiently and dive deep enough to catch fish.
Fortunately, I'm not a trophy hunter. I finished competing after a young career as a middle-distance runner. In any case, it feels like I've won the first prize :-) I live close to the coast, harpoon use is allowed, my husband is a generous & patient land crab, - and Free Water Life exists!
