If someone were to ask me, what would I miss most if I moved off the island, I would answer, “AM swims in the beautiful ocean.” We are so spoiled over here. And it is so wonderful to share this time with Avalon Swim Club. It is a positive way to start your day!
Some AMs, there are only a few swimmers. Sometimes we entertain 20-plus swimmers. It was an especially awesome time during Covid. A few of us would park on the west side of the Casino and set up on the side as well. We did have certain permission to swim and I will always cherish doing those daily swims during such an uncertain time in our world.
Many times it was just a few women. I was thinking, these are my Ama sisters! I once saw a documentary on these fascinating Japanese women who have been freediving for more than two millennia. They dive to the ocean bottom of kelp beds with tools to harvest kelp, collect turban shells and abalone and pearls.
The “ama” seawomen maintain a cultural tradition. Their sheer joy at being in the water outweighs barriers like age or finances. Many readings said they wore/wear white as the colour represents purity and also possibly to warn off sharks. Most wear wetsuits these days. Many ama divers have started at the age of 13 years old and have stayed active into their 70s.
The ama divers practiced a breathing technique in which divers would release air in a long whistle once they resurfaced from the dive. This whistling became a defining characteristic of the ama divers.
Although we are not fishing, just looking, we do find some unique shells outside the dive park from time to time, here in Avalon. I haven’t seen any white wetsuits to don, but I probably could find a whistle! Come join us, men and women, daily at 7 a.m.
Warm temperature 61 degrees.
Sea you at the stairs …
Tina Kennedy has resided in Avalon for more than 40 years, and manages Catalina Divers Supply. She loves swimming, diving, snorkeling, and paddling in the island’s waters. Contact her at info@catalinadiverssupply.com
