Swimming against the current

Yesterday, Socorro and I went on our first dives in nine weeks. We've been dry since November 19; it was time to get back in the water again.

With Redg, we took a day trip to Anilao. We met with our dive master, Abet, and decided to go on three easy dives: Twin Rocks, Koala and Cathedral. All three sites were close to the resort and could be covered in one morning.

The surface was completely flat, but in the water there was what I considered to be moderate current. The general rule of thumb is to just go with it. Don't try to fight the current because fighting it demands too much energy; you'll consume your air too quickly. Following this rule, most of our bottom time was spent being carried along In Twin Rocks, though, Abet led us up-current. The swim was difficult but not impossible. Divers going against a current are advised swim close to the ocean bottom to minimize drag. When possible, crawl your way to your destination, minding what you grasp. My own hand came too close to an anemonea, prompting an attack from the resident clown fish. It's a good thing I was wearing gloves.

Finally, we reached our destination: A resident school of jacks (talakitok). There were thousands of them, each as the length of a forearm. They surrounded us, a skittish silver cloud.

When we returned to the surface, Abet explained that we had to go against the current to reach the jacks. No problem, I assured him. Some struggles are worth it.