FE: Uncaged + inspired
Date Published: 7/18/2024
“WOW!!!! Were you absolutely freaked out even with the professional waterman? SOUNDS LIKE A DREAM COME TRUE!” ~ David Banks, actor in “THE AFTER PARTY”
[Sharing a pic from that moment above—story below! ~AkashaLin]
Happy Shark Month to all who celebrate! This one's by request: We hope our friends, fans, and readers are enjoying the new shark views and stories!
Shark Week on the Discovery Channel brought out a fresh wave of encounters. That one hit home for me and here’s why (by request—-and they actually use Jeff’s line to describe the same shark species…)!
Yes, I swam with sharks in Hawaii (sneaky/dangerous ones and no cage, but I was with a professional waterman and had trained for this occasion)!
Color me excited to meet my first shark, near a coral reef, Kona side off Hawaii’s Big Island. Sure my “AdrenaLin” side craved the next oceanic challenge. With ideal timing my editor friend and I explored Hawaii, including our own Pacific day with Jeff Silva of Silva “Deadliest Catch Bloodline” on Discovery! We were incredibly lucky to discover 80+ wild spinner dolphins in the shallows of a hidden gem local spot; we enjoyed several peaceful hours swimming with them. Later we happened upon several oceanic Whitetips - I recognized it - feeding frenzy! I was invited to put on my mask and looked over the side for a shark close-up. I did and it was exhilarating!
Next Pacific Day we targeted open ocean adventures. I swam with feral spinner dolphin and even wilder spotted bottled nose dolphin. Yes, I did feel a primal pang of uncertainty while swimming in the profound open ocean for the first time. Whoosh! The spotted dolphin pod was full of speed demons compared to the resting spinners in the shallows. The spotted ones feed on mahi mahi, some of the Whitetips’ favorite food. While exploring, we discovered a floating log/food chain microcosm. More feeding frenzy. We were the only boat for miles. In a flash Jeff set his sights on big mahi, jumped into his spear fishing gear and dove in to compete with 3 Whitetips. We are not on Lake Michigan anymore!
The Kona sun highlighted flashes of white, grey…and red in the deep blue Pacific. Jeff surfaced. “Wow - these guys are testy.” Me: “What does that mean?!” Jeff: “It means they’re swimming at me with open mouths and bumping.” Gulp. SPLASH. Two sharks under the boat. “Open the fish box!” After several gorgeous mahi and Jeff hand-feeding the sharks I hear. “This is the real deal.” Double gulp. I think I do want to get in…
“Do NOT make a splash. Deep breath. “If I motion for you to get back in the boat make it happen immediately.”
I’m a decent swimmer, but I’ve never swum with an apex predator *.
I eased in with my snorkel gear, then stayed near Jeff and his spear gun, uncaged. And it was an amazing, white-knuckle, and beautiful chance! I saw a Whitetip swim right in front of us and another off to our side – maybe 10 feet long.
When I got back to land I submerged myself in a hot tub, with a peaceful smile and let is all sink in. Then I booked several spa days.
I learned that Great Whites do not frequent The Big Island, so Whitetips and occasional visiting Tiger sharks top the food chain.
When I returned from a day on the Pacific Ocean after the shark swim, I sat on the couch…and stared out my window as the palm trees swayed, recovering from the experience. Then, I brought the adventure to life in a blog that’s sparked a few books and now ties into a Discovery show!
“This is awesome. Funny thing Is people are going to read this and think you’re crazy. I read it and think you are! But I took you and we know the truth. Great job. Aloha, Jeff.”
Thank you for reading and for your reactions! We welcome your comments below.
Akasha Lin
Akasha Garnier for #TheWishwall
Author, Brand Expert, Filmmaker
#ShineThroughtheNoise
Photo: AkashaLin, Pacific Ocean near Big Island, Hawaii
Explore more gems:
https://www.thewishwall.org/future-entrepreneurs
[Sharing a pic from that moment above—story below! ~AkashaLin]
Happy Shark Month to all who celebrate! This one's by request: We hope our friends, fans, and readers are enjoying the new shark views and stories!
Shark Week on the Discovery Channel brought out a fresh wave of encounters. That one hit home for me and here’s why (by request—-and they actually use Jeff’s line to describe the same shark species…)!
Yes, I swam with sharks in Hawaii (sneaky/dangerous ones and no cage, but I was with a professional waterman and had trained for this occasion)!
Color me excited to meet my first shark, near a coral reef, Kona side off Hawaii’s Big Island. Sure my “AdrenaLin” side craved the next oceanic challenge. With ideal timing my editor friend and I explored Hawaii, including our own Pacific day with Jeff Silva of Silva “Deadliest Catch Bloodline” on Discovery! We were incredibly lucky to discover 80+ wild spinner dolphins in the shallows of a hidden gem local spot; we enjoyed several peaceful hours swimming with them. Later we happened upon several oceanic Whitetips - I recognized it - feeding frenzy! I was invited to put on my mask and looked over the side for a shark close-up. I did and it was exhilarating!
Next Pacific Day we targeted open ocean adventures. I swam with feral spinner dolphin and even wilder spotted bottled nose dolphin. Yes, I did feel a primal pang of uncertainty while swimming in the profound open ocean for the first time. Whoosh! The spotted dolphin pod was full of speed demons compared to the resting spinners in the shallows. The spotted ones feed on mahi mahi, some of the Whitetips’ favorite food. While exploring, we discovered a floating log/food chain microcosm. More feeding frenzy. We were the only boat for miles. In a flash Jeff set his sights on big mahi, jumped into his spear fishing gear and dove in to compete with 3 Whitetips. We are not on Lake Michigan anymore!
The Kona sun highlighted flashes of white, grey…and red in the deep blue Pacific. Jeff surfaced. “Wow - these guys are testy.” Me: “What does that mean?!” Jeff: “It means they’re swimming at me with open mouths and bumping.” Gulp. SPLASH. Two sharks under the boat. “Open the fish box!” After several gorgeous mahi and Jeff hand-feeding the sharks I hear. “This is the real deal.” Double gulp. I think I do want to get in…
“Do NOT make a splash. Deep breath. “If I motion for you to get back in the boat make it happen immediately.”
I’m a decent swimmer, but I’ve never swum with an apex predator *.
I eased in with my snorkel gear, then stayed near Jeff and his spear gun, uncaged. And it was an amazing, white-knuckle, and beautiful chance! I saw a Whitetip swim right in front of us and another off to our side – maybe 10 feet long.
When I got back to land I submerged myself in a hot tub, with a peaceful smile and let is all sink in. Then I booked several spa days.
I learned that Great Whites do not frequent The Big Island, so Whitetips and occasional visiting Tiger sharks top the food chain.
When I returned from a day on the Pacific Ocean after the shark swim, I sat on the couch…and stared out my window as the palm trees swayed, recovering from the experience. Then, I brought the adventure to life in a blog that’s sparked a few books and now ties into a Discovery show!
“This is awesome. Funny thing Is people are going to read this and think you’re crazy. I read it and think you are! But I took you and we know the truth. Great job. Aloha, Jeff.”
Thank you for reading and for your reactions! We welcome your comments below.
Akasha Lin
Akasha Garnier for #TheWishwall
Author, Brand Expert, Filmmaker
#ShineThroughtheNoise
Photo: AkashaLin, Pacific Ocean near Big Island, Hawaii
Explore more gems:
https://www.thewishwall.org/future-entrepreneurs
