Just another Pencil Urchin (Heterocentrotus mamillatus) in a dirty little harbor- Kawaihae, HI
There are probably as many ways to define "waterman" as there are watermen. One of the first things that comes to my mind when I think of a waterman, is someone who enjoys being on, in, and/or under the ocean. I think my use of the word "enjoys" implies a certain level of competence and, therefore, comfort in the ocean under a wide range of conditions. From my point of view a waterman enjoys a variety of self-propelled ocean activities and isn't just a single sport ocean athlete. Somebody may be an excellent board surfer, but if they are just as happy in a wave pool as they are in the ocean, they are a surfer, not a waterman. I think being a well-rounded ocean enthusiast makes you better at each activity. If you are comfortable holding your breath as a freediver, you will be more comfortable during a several second hold-down in the surf. If you are comfortable in the surf zone, you are better equipped to make a surf entry as a scuba diver.
I think most of us would agree that being a waterman involves certain prerequisites such as: spending time in the water to build competence, being humbled by the ocean a few times in order to learn respect for it, maintaining the fitness required to perform in the ocean, and having a passion for all things ocean related. It is this passion that separates watermen from those who just happen to enjoy a water sport, or two, along with all their other forms of recreation. Of all the prerequisites that I've listed, passion is the only one that we can't will into existence. Many people may be enthusiastic about discovering a new ocean sport, but passion is enduring, lasting many of us a lifetime.
Nearshore Manta Ray (Manta birostris), Big Island HI
From where does this passion derive? I think it stems from a child-like sense of wonder. When I was a child, every pretty rock was worthy of being carried home to go in my collection. Every lizard and shore crab was worth watching and trying to capture. Birds, clouds, leaves, and rodents could all become the most important thing in the moment. I think all of us, in varying degrees, found simple things more interesting when we were children. As we mature, life tends to get more complex and the simple things can't compete for our attention. At least, that is how it works for normal people.
For what ever reason, I haven't outgrown my fascination with the natural world. I am a complete nature nerd. I go out of my way to find new species of birds, fish, marine invertebrates, mammals and even wildflowers. I keep lists of species and a nature journal of my observations. I contribute scientific write ups of species for Mexican-fish.com. I still bring home rock, shells, and dead things to look at. To me, nature is a constant source of wonder.
You don't have to be nearly as eccentric as me to maintain a sense of awe and fascination with the ocean. The ocean is the world's biggest playground. When you are in the ocean, any, and I literally mean any, species of sea bird, fish, or marine mammal could go cruising right by you. Just as the best surfer doesn't always get the best wave of the day, so too, it isn't always the best naturalist who gets the best wildlife sighting. You may stumble on to a Blue Whale on your very first freediving expedition. You may be there the day the Orca pod cavorts just outside the surf zone. And, any kook may get the chance to share a wave with a dolphin.
Me and Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola), Offshore San Diego, CA
But what if you don't get one of these epic experiences. Isn't a pelican soaring inches above the wave tops just as much of a marvel as it was the first time you saw it? Doesn't a body surfing sea lion still make you envious? Isn't it amazing the way shore birds can match the rhythm of the ocean with its constantly changing water levels? Why don't two waves, just seconds apart, break in the exact same way?
For those of us who get in the ocean on a regular basis, we can grow complacent to the wonderous sea around us. For others, who have more limited ocean opportunities, we are often trying to make the most of our limited time by focusing intently on our activity, and we miss the sea around us. Either way, the next time you are in the water, take one to two minutes to observe, with all your senses, the amazing performance that the ocean puts on, even on a "bad" day. Consciously, name every sound you hear, every smell, taste, and feeling. Name every color you see and how it changes with the light. Throughout your session, actively look for marine life, however ordinary, and note it by name. If you don't know its name, remember what it looks like and look it up or ask someone what it is. With a child-like sense of wonder, the more you learn, the more fascinated you'll become.
Why does this Northern Fulmar (Fulmaris glacialis) have a tube on top of his beak? Look it up!
Then, ask yourself, "what does it mean?" What is its overall connection to the greater reality? One of my favorite authors, Phillip Yancy, is a mountaineer and nature enthusiast. Regarding his passion for the outdoors and its ties to reality, he writes, "My natural desires, I now see, are pointers to the supernatural, not obstacles. In a world fallen from His original design, God wants us to receive them as gifts not possessions, tokens of love and not loves in themselves". To me, the supernatural connection that natural beauty and wonder are gifts of love, adds a whole other dimension to our world. And, it reminds me not to place expectations on the natural world that are only meant to be placed on the supernatural. I hope what I have written here will encourage you to open, and enjoy in their deepest meaning, all the gifts the ocean sends your way.
Spotted Eagle Rays, (Aetobatis narinari), Offshore Kailua-Kona, HI
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