Thursday Wings

Generally speaking, we adhere to the Next Two Hour Rule here on SwimVacation. This was Hopper’s brainstorm, and it means that we will tell our guests what their next two hours hold. That’s it. We do this for 2 reasons: 1. Things can change quickly at sea, and we must always reserve the right to change our minds and our plans. 2. Our guests are on vacation. We encourage them to let us drive. This rule allows them to be fully present in whatever they are doing at this moment, without getting lost in concern about what might be coming next.

That said, I usually like to send them to bed knowing what time we are planning to throw them in the water for a swim in the morning. This morning’s swim in particular required a bit of advanced planning and notice, as it began with a Live Drop. This means Skipper puts the boat into position at our drop point, leaves the engine on but in neutral (props not spinning), and we jump in and swim away from the boat quickly so he can put it back into gear and get moving again. He will follow us for a while to be sure we are all in good shape, then head over to an anchor point somewhere else. That spot will be the end of our swim.

In order for this to work safely and well, our swimmers need to be prepared to jump and swim, cap, goggles and buoys on, fins in hand if they are being used. We listen carefully to instructions from the crew and jump exactly when told. I give everyone a rundown the night before so they aren’t surprised by our military style tone about the swim first thing in the morning.

It’s a little like launching a plane from an aircraft carrier, though quieter, easier and the stakes aren’t quite as high. So I guess it’s not really like that at all. Still, it’s a launch, and today our swimmers did a great job with it.

Have a look at the electric ray below!

Apres launch, we gathered near a big old rusty shipwreck near the shore of Carriacou and started to swim. We hadn’t been moving 30 seconds when someone spotted a ray. It was a torpedo ray, also known as an electric ray! I got close to get a photo, but not too close as these guys can actually deliver an electric shock if they feel threatened.

With the wind and a swift current at our backs, we flew over the rocky reef that lines this shore. This is not a place that sees a lot of boat traffic or human activity, so the reef is unusually healthy and positively teeming with fish. We see species here en masse that we don't see in other places in Grenada, Rock Beauties and Spotted Drum in particular, but also lots of Trumpet fish and parrot fish as well. 

We rounded the corner into a bay that has another hulking wreck just schlumped on shore (this is why we call this swim Two Wreck swim). It’s a monstrosity and so oddly juxtaposed with the absolutely exquisite marine life just beneath the surface. Healthy coral heads with millions, maybe billions of silversides flowing in between - it’s like a river of silver in a turquoise sea. It’s almost dizzying to swim through, but what a rush. In the middle of the bay I noticed something on the grassy sea floor - it was a Flying Gurnard! Wait! No! It’s two, no THREE Flying Gurnards! These guys are in the lizard fish family, and look like lizard fish except that when you approach them, they spread their amazing wings which are lined with iridescent blue. They spread their wings as if to say, “I’ve got THESE! Look at THESE!” The three of them just sort of moved around one another, showing off their bejeweled wings and even though their wings looked a bit tattered, we were all very impressed. See for yourself in the video below.

Skipper anchored in this bay though we continued on for another two small bays. In these we saw more fish of even more varieties, and we swam over a local fishing net. The fishermen, usually sitting nearby in a handmade boat, get a little nervous when anyone swims near their nets and often come by to check us out. This time was no exception, and we waved politely and assured them we were just swimming, headed back to our boat in the adjacent bay. The entire swim was about a 1.5 miles and just full of wildlife and wild experiences and I’d say it’s one of the most dynamic swims we do in Grenada and the Grenadines.

When there are so many fish you almost can’t see the fish. That’s a lot of fish.

We climbed aboard to a blueberry buckle. Day made. Who needs more?

Time to set sail back down to Isle de Ronde, only this time the trip was downwind, making it a little shorter and a little smoother. Richie let Janet drive who really put the hammer down and we somehow covered the distance in less than two hours. Nice work, Janet!

After a fantastic lunch of wild rice burgers and the full morning we had, just about everyone retired for a siesta. Including, wait for it, ME. I almost never nap on SwimVacation but I really conked out a drooler of a nap today (hence I am still writing this blog after 10 PM. Worth it!). 

At about 3, we met on deck for an afternoon swim that became something of a freestyle event in that everyone could explore the bay as they chose, and I spent a little time with each swimmer making underwater portraits of their choice. This is something I’ve done at the end of trips for 15 years. Some want to swim, some use props, some want to just play. Photographing adults at play in the water has become one of my most favorite things to do, and today, with this group being so close and comfortable, it yielded some lovely results. 

I will add that, inspired by Alina, a few of my muses did an additional underwater photo session in the nude. These images will remain private for them to share as they choose, but I think they all felt quite liberated by the experience. When are you in a beautiful place with beautiful water, having shed the stress and mantle of everyday terrestrial life, and a photographer is ready to capture you as nature intended? Damn straight ladies, let’s do this. I think they all look incredible. Strong and soft and beautiful all at the same time. And after a few giggles when I showed them each their pictures, I hope they see what I see. 

Did you know you can fly? That’s the absolute freedom of water. When we let go, we can all fly.

So as I mentioned, it’s late and we crammed a lot into this day. I know it’s not the most inspiring blog post I’ve ever written, but I hope the pictures will do more of the talking for me tonight.

We’ve had our nightly skinny dip lap around the boat, and I am in bed with laptop and toweled head putting a period on this fantastic day. One full Friday left with this bunch. Seeing them all lounging around in the cockpit tonight, laughing, hanging out, so comfortable with one another and with themselves, it’s hard to imagine being anywhere else.

Love,

Heather