Shark Circus
|
|
Created by Herwarth Voightmann the Dive Master Supreme!
|
I had seen and knew of these isolated islands years back when flying the world with BOAC. Being of an inquisitive nature I made a note to get there one day! Voila!
My daughter and son started diving lessons with Robert one of Herwarths instructors. The kids had THREE lessons only! Then during breakfast one morning we were asked if the children would like to dive the Shark Circus... in two hours.
My daughter Lucinda replied with an enthusiastic YES YES!! My son Ashley’s knees shaking, I explained "darling you do NOT have to do this" his reply was a determind " I DO "..
|
|
|
German divers were being briefed in German, my two were togged up, while dive master Robert ran through the procedure.
I was on the jetty when a small Liveaboard came along and who should it be but Hans Haas and his wife Lotti.
I was on the jetty when a small Liveaboard came along and who should it be but Hans Haas and his wife Lotti.
Hans Haas
|
|
I just could not believe my luck. He had just finished diving The Circus with Voightmann. He was so so pleasant and patient we spoke for some time. Don’t forget this is years back! But I recall clearly his answer to my question: Where in your long experience have you found the best diving? “The red sea, has very colorful corals, but the real beauty is the Maldives, it’s not only beautiful below, but so beautiful above”.
Soon after both Lucinda and Ashley were on the open dive boat heading for the unknown! In one picture you can see Ashley looking down very pensive and came up first after using his reserve air and boarded the waiting boat. Lucinda stayed till the end.
Some years later I had my Shark Dive and I had been asked by Fuji to test a new underwater camera which produced these incredible shots.
Herwarth says lets dive the Circus.
Diving down passed the reef slowly as fish get in the way. I’m sitting by the coral close to Herwarth. The camera won't shoot at 21 meters but shoots at 20 as the sharks are rushing around. It’s wildly exciting.
Soon after both Lucinda and Ashley were on the open dive boat heading for the unknown! In one picture you can see Ashley looking down very pensive and came up first after using his reserve air and boarded the waiting boat. Lucinda stayed till the end.
Some years later I had my Shark Dive and I had been asked by Fuji to test a new underwater camera which produced these incredible shots.
Herwarth says lets dive the Circus.
Diving down passed the reef slowly as fish get in the way. I’m sitting by the coral close to Herwarth. The camera won't shoot at 21 meters but shoots at 20 as the sharks are rushing around. It’s wildly exciting.
Herwarth feeds by hand, no queuing up here, they are frantic. These great bodies, stretching and curling amongst us are about two plus meters long with visibility brilliant. Then Herwarth feeds by mouth, what a man!
It took him over two years to get these grey reef sharks to come up to a reasonable depth for divers to cope with , he told me he uses bonito and keeps it in the frig with it still stiff when feeding.
It took him over two years to get these grey reef sharks to come up to a reasonable depth for divers to cope with , he told me he uses bonito and keeps it in the frig with it still stiff when feeding.
It was not an experience I would like to repeat, but would never in the world would have missed it.
|
|
|
Not long after it was quite rightly banned.
