[INDENT][/INDENT]Greetings everyone!
My name is Pete Gutkowski diving out of San Diego, CA. I grew up with a view of the Coronado Islands and the Tijuana bullring by the sea right outside my seagreen colored shuttered bedroom windows. I was also very lucky to have a 10' foot deep pool as a kid and don't even remember learning to swim, but I do remember sitting on the bottom holding my breath as long as I could. My parents would fight a lot and it was a pure escape for me. I've been Spearfishing since the early 80's. I would bum rides with older buddies to go surfing and fortunately a buddies dad had a garage full of spearguns. It was a no brainer to go diving when the surf was flat. I put a lot of hours in the water back then.
I got out of the sport for awhile to go to Art School in the Bay Area and put all my energy into my career which started out as movie special effects but ending up as Art Restoration. I was also in and out of the hospital for a period of 4 years with Ulcerative colitis. Finally, the doctors just removed all my large intestines and I'm as good as new now.
I realized when my son was born in 2001 that I would not have much free time anymore and needed to get back to the single one thing that I loved to do. The thing that would keep me centered and recharge my batteries the most. So, I started diving the kelp again that year via kayak.
I usually dive the La Jolla and Pt. Loma areas as well as the Cornados, Catalina and SCI when I can catch a ride. Whenever I do catch a ride, I always bring a good attitude, excellent grub, ice and Gas money plus some extra towards maintenance. I'm scuba and CPR certified. I have studied the coursework from two different advanced freediving courses but have not dedicated the time and money to taking one yet.
I'm typically kind of a private person and have never been one too big on posting reports, I like the vibe over here, so I'm going to try a little harder this year.
Dive safe and Good hunting!
Pete
