By Ariana Wilson

If you look closely, you may see bubbles underneath the dark, murky water in the Jetty. Chances are, they belong to members of the small but mighty free-diving and spearfishing community off our North Coast. 

Jiovanni Flores, senior wildlife major with an emphasis in fisheries, ecology and scientific diving, was inspired by the scientific diving program. Humboldt equips students with every skill needed to go from never dipping a toe in the ocean to identifying species on a transect.

Flores’ understanding of the ocean and its ecosystem has propelled him toward becoming a California Department of Fish and Wildlife game warden.

“[Spearfishing is] very ethical; we’re not fishing and actively putting microfilament in the ocean, you’re physically down there getting a fish,” Flores said. “We do have a lot of rivers, estuaries, the big Humboldt Bay, a lot of outflowing from freshwater, [which] ruins the visibility instantly, especially with the currents. It’s pretty unpredictable.”

For aspiring freedivers, holding their breath is an essential skill and a muscle that must be exercised to dive deeper and stay underwater longer. Before turning blue in the face, divers need to know how to read the forecast and determine when to go out, so their chances of seeing anything are good when they’re suited up and ready.

James Cooper, a junior recreational administration major and scientific diver has turned his general fascination with spearfishing into a lifestyle and a source of sustenance. 

“I didn’t think about the lifestyle when I started; it was kind of just like a side hobby,” Cooper said. “I’ll go out camping and bring my gun and, hopefully, I eat dinner that night. You got to be able to push yourself to get meals.”

In addition to his scientific diver certification, Cooper earned his dive master certification this spring and is pursuing his instructor certification this summer on Catalina Island, where master divers and scientific divers receive their official certifications. 

“They talk about in the dive program all the time, you learn how to dive here, you could dive anywhere,” Cooper said. “You’re not going to find visibility this bad constantly anywhere else.”

Having an emergency action plan could be the difference between life and death. Identifying an emergency contact and a baseline protocol in case something goes wrong can eliminate unnecessary injuries and unsafe practices in an unforgiving environment like the Lost Coast.

“Don’t dive by yourself,” Flores said. “Know the area, know the people that are in that area. For instance, in Trinidad, get to know like the boaters, the people who fish.”

When spring rolls around and the swell is calm, the freedivers emerge. JUMP There is a steep barrier to entry into freediving and spearfishing for a reason. Divers carry a spear gun or pole spear while managing buddy awareness, air consumption and patient pursuit of their prey. Conditions on the North Coast are inconsistent, and even veteran divers find it difficult to predict Trinidad visibility.

“You also get extremely close with people because of how uncomfortable it is to get into it,” Cooper said. “Crawling into a wetsuit that’s freezing cold, it’s super early and your buddies are right next to you going through the same bullshit — but you guys are both doing it together, just embracing the suck of it, for the love of the game.”

Ari is a senior journalism major and co-EIC this semester, with a deep passion for the environment and conservation. As a scientific diver, she plans to combine journalism with research and conservation work. For inquiries, contact ajw167@humboldt.edu.