NSFW - transparent swimming

MapisM

MapisM

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Ok folks, before anyone mention it, I'm well aware that those among you who associated the title to Lakesailor-style posts could be disappointed.
But I still wouldn't suggest the video for anyone at work, 'cause productivity might be negatively affected...
...well, I for one would think that I'd rather be boating, anyway. :D
For all others, I hope you'll enjoy the swim!

(much better in full screen @ 720p, if you have a decent bandwidth)
 
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Stunning but I'm not sure I'd risk swimming in water that changed the colour of my shorts from blue to red and back again...;)
 
I've eaten urchins many times, i'm still alive, so I guess they are edible.
There's a trick you have to pick the right ones and iirc they are the ones with a few pebbles on top of them (don't ask why)
You open them from the bottom side where the mouth et al are, squeeze some lemon and eat, simples.
BTW, they are delicious!

MM I like the clip and the fact that you edit it adding a greenish tint to it to make it more suitable for UK consumption. Well done, some even fell for it and thought it was the Solent :rolleyes: :p

serious, doesn't look particularly clean tbh, I guess it's the time of year and water temp.


cheers

V.
 
Great shots MapisM !!

However, for those not "in the know" ..... one of the reasons for the Med appearing Crystal clear when compared with other places in Europe is the result of the angle of the sun vs the sea surface..... in other words, more direct sunlight penetrates directly down and thus deeper, making the water appear clearer. This needs to be coupled with the fact that the UK is surrounded by large bodies of moving water (Atlantic, North Sea and strong tides), which compounds the effect of a sharper angle of the sun...

I have been diving in the artic (knocking through the ice) through to the outer Barrier Reef and still maintain that winter time diving in Europe, when conditions are right, exceeds the diving experience in the Med.... A Clear February dive in the fjords of southern Norway will reveal wonderful life and a clear views of 30M plus... During summer dives in northern Europe you will however experience high plankton growth which inevitably will limit visibility....
 
Glad you appreciated the virtual swim, folks.
Sometimes we spend too much time debating technicalities, when enjoying the sea is what actually boating is all about - imho, at least! :)

Now, following the order of your replies:

@alt:
yep, pretty much so. Depending also on the conditions at that time, of course, but I'd say it's reasonable to expect something like that.

@blueglass:
nice try, but no cigar!

@Nick_H (plus henryf & vas on the same subject):
Oh yeah, you bet you can eat them!
And the only preparation required is in opening and cleaning, 'cause you actually eat them raw, either with some bread or as a spaghetti sauce (both ab-so-lu-te-ly delicious!).
Either ways, lemon is actually a no-no in my books, because it tends to "cover" their delicate taste, but each to their own.
Oh, and first of all, you must pick the females only, because what you actually look for are the eggs.
I never heard the trick to spot them which vas mentioned, but it's not so difficult anyway, because males are black, while females (dark as they might be) are either brown or violet.

@benjenbav:
LOL, well spot. We actually made a couple of swims, changing the swimsuit for a dry one in between, and I didn't bother about consistency while cutting the clips... :)

@vas:
The green/blueish dominant is actually due to the lack of red filter, and also of post-processing colour adjustments.
Anyway, I agree that the video doesn't do full justice to the actual water transparency.
After all, the snorkeling area around the islet is between 3 and 5 meters deep, give or take. And at such depths, it doesn't take a special day in the Med to have a good visibility.
But just for further reference, the boat was anchored in 6m of water, and the anchor which you can see at 0:30 is filmed from the surface.
Though it's actually the swimmer visible at 1:12 that gives a better idea, because she was well above 15 meters far - probably closer to 20.

@taz:
Oh yeah, it does take some care, and good gloves! :D

@Divemaster1:
Interesting to hear about those experiences.
The Feb dive in the Norwegian fjords sounds very intriguing...
...if it weren't for the water temperature, which I don't even dare guessing.
Swmbo particularly, she could die just at the thought of it, I'm afraid!
 
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AndieMac said:
Beautiful footage P, did you mount the GoPro on a head strap, like a hikers torch?

Southern Sardinia is definitely on my boating wish-list ;)
Click to expand...
Well C, you already know that there's an open invitation for yourself and A, whenever you fancy! :)
Any chance that you'll come to the N emisphere this summer?
Incidentally, S is beginning to organize some home exchanges for our stay in Tas+NZ, but it will probably be in 2014/15 winter (EU winter, that is), 'cause we are already a bit busy for the next.

Yep, the clip was taken with the GoPro on the head strap.
Actually, it's the first time I try it, and it wasn't very stable, together with the mask.
Most of what I filmed was in fact garbage, but these days it's nice to be able to cut long videos easily with a PC...
 
MapisM said:
Well C, you already know that there's an open invitation for yourself and A, whenever you fancy! :)
Any chance that you'll come to the N emisphere this summer?
Incidentally, S is beginning to organize some home exchanges for our stay in Tas+NZ, but it will probably be in 2014/15 winter (EU winter, that is), 'cause we are already a bit busy for the next.....
Click to expand...

We are planning an extensive trip during the northern summer next year when our (Sydney) sister's family will be based around London for three months to have a good look around Europe, so we will definitely catch up then at least.

After all the stories, photos and video footage I've seen of the Med. over the last few years on YBW, it's a destination very high on the agenda. :)

If S needs any advice about other Tas. locations, tell her not to hesitate to contact us.....and yes we will be offended if you don't stay with us ;)
 
Thanks C, roger wilco re. telling S to get in touch if she wants suggestions, though in these things she just loves following the inspiration of the moment...!
And thanks also for the invitation, we will definitely grab the opportunity!
Oh, and goes without saying that you will be more than welcome to come to S Sardinia together with your lovely sister and her husband.
Actually, even if our boat does have three cabins, we normally invite just one couple of friends at a time, because aside from the fact that the smaller cabin is always full of God knows what, we only have one guest bathroom.
But if they don't mind overnighting in a hotel (which of course is more comfy than our old tub anyway :)), we can obviously arrange daily boat trips all together.
There's plenty of great anchorages within easy reach (including the one in the video), so there's no need to burn much fuel to enjoy a great swim! :cool:
 
Brilliant video, Thanks!

Tut Tut ; the SoF mob are spending too much time in Jeffrey's English supermarket! :)

Urchins are almost always for sale in the fishmonger sections/markets (even Antibes!) ... have to say I dont like but 'oursin' is what you will see as a sauce often on menus and usually included in a large plat of coquillages in specialist seafood restaurants.
 
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