Back at 'er

[Erik]

Hi amigos and amigas, I just got back from a 10 day surface supply dive job at 5 sites at a pulp mill in Northern Alberta....I had no access to the net, and no time anyway, as it was all 12 hour days. The complete opposite of freediving.... 5 man crew,Viking rubber suit, zero vis, AGA mask with comms, 50 lbs weight, no fins, confined space, cutting torches and dredges, toxic biohazard "water". Actually, one of the sites had 1 foot of vis at the top 5 feet....the "water" was red. Enjoyed it all, though!
I missed looking at Deeper Blue and all the good info here. I didn't find out about Eric's record result until 3 days later, when my wife told me. Not that any of us had any doubt of a record, given his 88 metre training dives. Congrats Eric.
Now I have to cram to train for the Western Canadian Regionals on Sept 8-9. Any help with Dynamic training would be much appreciated, as I feel that I am weak in this area (any tips, Mr. Fattah?).
Good to be home, and I hope everyone is doing well and getting some quality time in the water.
Cheers,
Erik Young

[Cliff Etzel]

Now I know why I detest the timber industry...

Living here in Oregon, I have heard similar stories from some of the divers who do this kind of thing. To the point where they have to do a hazmat disposal of their drysuits due to the toxins in the waters they have been working in. And if they have even the slightest amount of exposed skin, they get really nasty rashes that take a long time to heal.

From a personal perspective, I would like to see hemp utilized more as a replacement for timber. Grows faster and doesn't need as much refining as timber.

But that's another topic best left for somewhere else...

I wish you the best of luck on your training and attempts...

If all goes according to plan, I will see you in Ibiza...

[Erik]

Thanks Cliff, for the kind words. I agree about the hemp thing, by the way. I'm sure the forest industry has something to do with supressing the use of hemp, although there are a few farmers up here who are starting to grow it for that purpose, since it was legalized a few years back.
The members of Team Canada were chosen at the Nationals a few months back; next years team will be picked in the Spring of 2002. There's some damn good divers in Canada, but I'm going to try. With the growth of the sport, I'm sure there will be more people popping out of the woodwork.
I hope your plans to go to Ibiza work out; that is going to be quite an event.
Take care,
Erik Young

[JMD]

Hey Erik,

Good to hear your back. I've been working 60 hours a week trying to get my new consulting business off the ground and not training at all. But all is well I plan to go diving the september long weekend out at lake minnewanka (sp).

I'm in Edmonton wed thur and friday this week and may have time for a beer thursday night (if beer isn't forbiden by your training regimin) If it is I'd settle for a coke.

I'll try you at home tomm. night.