ADRENALINE-FUELED PASTIMES
STORY BY ADAM ONNEBANE PHOTOGRAPHY BY ADAM ONNEBANE AND RICH BROOKS
Life can be slow or full of too much excitement to handle. For me, the upper three-quarters of the excitement scale is filled with sports that each bring their own set of challenges. Too laid back, and you can get hurt, or worse. Too confident, and the same thing will happen. But just because there is high risk in something, it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be done. And not only done but enjoyed like a dream.
Water was the first element that created excitement and thrill for me. I started swimming at a very young age. My mother was a big swimmer and I was in the water and started holding my breath to compete with her before I could walk. Throughout the years, different watersports brought the level of excitement up a notch.
Growing up in Denham Springs, Louisiana, everybody in town knew about the trestle railroad bridge crossing the Comite River at 55 feet above the water. My first taste of an adrenaline rush was jumping off this bridge. The river was deep enough, but there could be entire trees floating by at any time. Somebody would have to swim across and clear the river before waving on the next hero who was determined to make the jump. I remember those three seconds of falling felt like a minute, but once your feet kicked off the river bottom below and your head broke the surface of the water, you felt reborn. Resurfaced with a taste of adrenaline in your mouth and a sting on your hands or a sting on whichever body part hit the water first. The bridge has given confidence and taken it away from hundreds over the years and I proudly share the experience and honor with those in the Denham Springs community who continue to experience the same.
The Emerald Coast isn’t exactly known for its surfing. But when the conditions are right, plenty of surfers can be seen along the Northwest Florida coast. You may have heard the legends of the swells that Hurricane Michael brought. When the wind is blowing hard to the north, you have to take advantage of it!
About five years ago, I picked up a pole spear for the first time in Orange Beach, Alabama, as I visited family. At the time, I lived in the Appalachian foothills. In our mountain town, there is a crystal-clear lake named Lake Chatuge. The water is cold, but you can dive down 30 feet and have great visibility. I always say that I found my religion the first time I climbed to the top of a mountain but I found inner peace the first time I dove down 30 feet on one breath of air and speared a fish I could bring home to eat. An amazing feeling. Fast-forward four years, and moving to Panama City Beach opened the floodgates of opportunity to grow in the sport.
Spearfishing is arguably the most responsible way to fish. It doesn’t mean you should just pick up a pole and jump right in like you would do with a regular fishing pole. You have to know that holding your breath for two-plus minutes and diving down to meet darkness can quickly become dangerous. You must remember to pay attention to your heartbeat and stay calm. Trust that you know what you are doing, and if you feel your ego growing larger than your knowledge, just back off. I admit that I get scared when freediving and I realize that I am at the bottom of the food chain. Danger is a relative term, though. I have gone out of my way over the years to grab every bit of written, digital, and real-world bit of information offered on what to watch out for. I have well-thought-out gear that will get me out of most situations. There aren’t 30 seconds that go by underwater without my mind being preoccupied by sharks and other predators that could keep me from returning to the surface. I look all the way around, count to two, and go back to what I am doing or searching for. I go out of my way to prepare and possibly prevent bad things from happening by being aware as much as I can and learning from past experiences. Sometimes, things that initially appear dangerous are nothing short of breathtakingly beautiful and something that might seem small and harmless at first might turn out to be life-threatening.
Preparation is the most important aspect of diving. Checking the weather and riptide forecasts, making sure all gear is accounted for and working properly, and asking yourself, “How is my breathing today?” It can be so easy to get excited about the beautiful weather, or the memory of that fish that got away the day before, that you forget about safety and preparation. Ask yourself, “What might be in the water this time of year that I might have to watch out for?” “How is the rubber band on my sling holding up?” Also, preparation isn’t all gear and what to bring. Being prepared for any high-energy sport starts with you, physically. I eat a light but high-nutrition meal more than an hour before a dive. I try to juice some veggies and fruit so it’s nothing too heavy in my stomach. I also practice and recommend stretching every muscle you will be using before diving in.
There are many high-energy sports that will be great to dip your toes in this season, and in my opinion, getting out of your comfort zone will make you feel alive. Don’t ever say you can’t do something unless you have tried it, but absolutely do your research before trying something new and prepare for all potential dangers. For any watersport, have a diving buddy or somebody there who will watch over you. Let’s try something new this season. The spring and summer are right around the corner. Panama City Beach will get your blood pumping and is always great for some action-packed and adrenaline-fueled times.