FIJI - A tourist battled an all-night ordeal swimming 10 kilometres in shark-infested waters near Vanua Levu for about 12 hours before reaching land in Taveuni.
Thomas Holz, 40, of Berlin in Germany, said he was a lucky man to have survived the strong currents of Somosomo Strait between Taveuni and Vanua Levu.
"I felt alone and couldn't stop thinking of my family back in Germany, my wife and children and how they would be devastated if I didn't make it. That gave me the strength to keep on swimming," Mr Holz said.
Mr Holz and three other tourists holidaying on Taveuni were part of a diving outing organised by Bubble Divers at the Rainbow Reef near Viani Bay in Vanua Levu at 5pm.
Twenty-five minutes into the dive, he surfaced for air after exhausting his oxygen supply.
"The dive master told me to hold on where I was while he dived for the remaining three who had also run out of oxygen," Mr Holz said.
"The boat was about 100 feet away and I could see it on the horizon but couldn't swim for it because the currents were too strong."
Police spokesman Atunaisa Sokomuri said when the dive master resurfaced a few minutes later with the other tourists, Mr Holz was nowhere to be found.
"They searched until 9pm and called it off and started again at 5am yesterday," Mr Sokomuri said.
Mr Holz said he could hear the sound of the boat engine but it was far away and he could hardly see through the dark.
"I could see lights at a place in Vanua Levu but was worried if I swam for it I would wash up in an isolated place with no one around to help so I swam for Taveuni which, although further off, was more populated," he said.
"I felt alone so I decided to swim slowly to balance my energy so that I could last.
"The currents were strong and my main fear was for my family in Germany. Even though I was tired, I hung on to the oxygen cylinder and kept swimming. Then early this morning (yesterday), I felt the seabed and just screamed out for help before I collapsed on the shore."
A woman from a nearby settlement at Wairiki heard Mr Holz's shout for help and rushed to the shore.
She helped him to the safety of a home where he recounted his ordeal.
When The Fiji Times called Mr Holz at about midday, he was revived and on an eco tour.
"I am feeling tired and although the experience was scary, it is something I won't forget," he said.
H2uh0 - Bonehead Moves on the Water from SF Bay and Beyond!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Sailing is Better Than Sex
THOSE WHO participate in it regularly know that sailing is wonderful, even better than sex. If you’re not a sailor, you might find that hard to believe, but it’s true. Here’s the proof:
• You never have to hide your Sailing magazines.
• It’s perfectly acceptable to Sail with a professional.
• There’s nothing in the Ten Commandments that discourages Sailing.
• When your partner videotapes you Sailing, you don’t have to worry that it will show up on the Internet.
• Your Sailing partner won’t quiz you about people you Sailed with before you were married. Or after.
• It’s quite OK to Sail with a perfect stranger.
• When you meet a really good Sailor in a bar, you needn’t feel guilty about imagining the two of you Sailing together.
• There’s no danger whatsoever that if you Sail by yourself you’ll grow hair on your palms or go blind.
• You can have a Sailing calendar at work without precipitating a sexual harassment suit.
• There are no known Sailing-transmitted diseases.
• When your Sailing partner insists you bring protection, any old anorak will do.
• Nobody expects you to Sail with one partner for the rest of your life.
• You never have to wonder next morning if your Sailing partner still loves you after a one-night Sail.
• Nobody slaps your face if you ask: “Do you Sail?”
• Your Sailing partner will never say, “Not again! We just Sailed last week, for goodness’ sake! Is that all you ever think about?”
POSTED BY JOHN VIGOR
• You never have to hide your Sailing magazines.
• It’s perfectly acceptable to Sail with a professional.
• There’s nothing in the Ten Commandments that discourages Sailing.
• When your partner videotapes you Sailing, you don’t have to worry that it will show up on the Internet.
• Your Sailing partner won’t quiz you about people you Sailed with before you were married. Or after.
• It’s quite OK to Sail with a perfect stranger.
• When you meet a really good Sailor in a bar, you needn’t feel guilty about imagining the two of you Sailing together.
• There’s no danger whatsoever that if you Sail by yourself you’ll grow hair on your palms or go blind.
• You can have a Sailing calendar at work without precipitating a sexual harassment suit.
• There are no known Sailing-transmitted diseases.
• When your Sailing partner insists you bring protection, any old anorak will do.
• Nobody expects you to Sail with one partner for the rest of your life.
• You never have to wonder next morning if your Sailing partner still loves you after a one-night Sail.
• Nobody slaps your face if you ask: “Do you Sail?”
• Your Sailing partner will never say, “Not again! We just Sailed last week, for goodness’ sake! Is that all you ever think about?”
POSTED BY JOHN VIGOR
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Sail Power
In recent months we had Erden Eurc and Roz Savage row across the Pacific. The next person has a bit different take on the jump across the pond. Anne Quemere will attempt to use a sail to power her small craft across. She has been attempting to depart from SF but the winds have been light due to summer like weather that has dominated the area for the last two weeks. Today we have some fog so this may be her chance. It seems kind of late in the year from my perspective as storms will start marching down from the north shortly. We here at H2uh0 wish her a safe and speedy crossing!. Visit her website for more info.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Kona
My new pup Kona was out on the boat a few days ago and I think he liked it. He is about 16 weeks old and a handful. He is a golden retriever from a famous line up north. Both mom and dad are champions so he is a smart one. We have many adventures in the future but this was a nice start for him. Welcome aboard, Kona!
Branson Bails
Virgin Money put on the brakes on their attempt to cross the Atlantic after a 40 foot wave slammed the boat and tore things up, including the mainsail. No one was hurt as everyone was harnessed in. Can you imagine how fast this 100' rocket must have been going with winds in the 50's and waves 40' and higher? Here is what the skipper had to say. "We’ve just experienced a night from hell when Virgin Money was struck by a massive wave from behind – washing one of our life rafts over board, damaging the spinnaker and devastatingly tearing a massive hole in our mainsail. Luckily all of the crew were harnessed in and no one was swept overboard, which is all that matters at the end of the day." They were really pushing the upper limits with this attempt as they waited three months for the right weather window. The low pressure systems they were trying to skirt were massive and too much for the boat. Plus he did this with his two 20 something kids aboard. The whole thing was a very large crap shoot and mother nature wins again!
Friday, October 24, 2008
The Evoluton of the Wipeout
Take some of the best surf movies of the last 40 years and put their best wipeouts on one video. From Pipeline to Teahupoo, these are some classic wipeouts. Notice the waves get bigger as the film moves towards the later flicks. Enjoy.
One More:
One More:
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Do Dream in B&W or Color?
Seems those of us who grew up with B&W TV's dream in monochrome and those that grew up with color TV's dream in color. How about you? Read the article here.
Screaming
Sir Richard Branson is attempting to break the trans Atlantic record of 6 days and change on the mighty Virginmoney (ex Speedboat) 100 foot monohull. This isn't a boat, it's a rocketship! Capable of over 45 knots in a breeze, she is trying to skirt major low pressure systems and with some luck they may just do it. Check the vid if you have a need for speed!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Amazing Shot
Click the pic for a much larger view of this unbelievable shot of the Maltese Falcon near the southern tip of Angel Island - pic taken by George Dapsevicius via Sailing Anarchy!
Last week we had a major fire on Angel Island that burned a good portion of the most beautiful island on the bay. The worlds largest sailboat was near by and this spectacular shot was taken. We sailed around the island yesterday and from our view point most of the island was spared and the portions that were burned should come back quickly. The island opened today with limited access. Judging by my wind speed gauge on the right of the page, they are still having power issues. Sailing to the island for an afternoon bocce game is a favorite event of some of our crews on the Addiction.
Friday, October 17, 2008
World Wide Telescope
The final frontier got a bit closer today as Microsoft Corp. officially launched the public beta of its WorldWide Telescope, which is now available at http://www.worldwidetelescope.org. WorldWide Telescope is a rich Web application that brings together imagery from the best ground- and space-based observatories across the world to allow people to easily explore the night sky through their computers. WorldWide Telescope has been eagerly anticipated by the astronomical and educational communities as a compelling astronomical resource for students and lifelong learners, and as a way to make science fun for children.
“The WorldWide Telescope is a powerful tool for science and education that makes it possible for everyone to explore the universe,” said Bill Gates, chairman of Microsoft. “By combining terabytes of incredible imagery and data with easy-to-use software for viewing and moving through all that information, the WorldWide Telescope opens the door to new ways to see and experience the wonders of space. Our hope is that it will inspire young people to explore astronomy and science, and help researchers in their quest to better understand the universe.”
“The WorldWide Telescope is a powerful tool for science and education that makes it possible for everyone to explore the universe,” said Bill Gates, chairman of Microsoft. “By combining terabytes of incredible imagery and data with easy-to-use software for viewing and moving through all that information, the WorldWide Telescope opens the door to new ways to see and experience the wonders of space. Our hope is that it will inspire young people to explore astronomy and science, and help researchers in their quest to better understand the universe.”
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