146
E. Bigando
seconds tick by.’ The temporal perspective of the underwater landscape emerges, in
fact, from these conflicting timescales. Indeed, however short, dives may be repeated
regularly, enabling the diver to gain a sharper vision of the dynamics of the underwater
landscape as time passes. Many divers confess a pronounced interest for ‘observing
changes in the underwater landscape as time goes by—season after season, year
after year.’
9.4 Experiencing the Underwater Landscape: the Quest
for a Really Singular Experience
‘Does the underwater landscape represent, for you, a diving objective? If so, what
exactly are you looking for?’ These were the terms of the second question in the
survey.
The vast majority of participants (65 out of 76) replied ‘yes’ to this question
(Fig. 9.3). For 54 divers, exploring the underwater landscape was their main objective.
For the remaining 11, it was one of their objectives. Only 5 divers replied ‘no’, but
they did not explain why. Two divers replied both ‘yes and no’, arguing that their
answer would depend on the place where the dive was to take place and what the site
had to offer. They pointed out that it was easier to see the landscape in some places
than in others. ‘The underwater landscape in the Atlantic or Channel is difficult to
see because of the ‘fog.’ However, I find that landscapes in the Mediterranean are a
delight for the scope and depth of vision they offer, and the way I can see up to the
surface.’ Two other divers indicated that the landscape was ‘not necessarily’ a diving
objective, even if on some occasions it had an immediately noticeable presence.
They were more interested in observing the underwater fauna. The last two divers
considered that the landscape was a ‘bonus point’, i.e. not their principle diving
objective, but there to be enjoyed if underwater visibility allowed.
When the underwater landscape is envisaged as a diving objective, what exactly
are divers looking for?
We must point out here that our analysis of the results of our survey with regards
to this question only supplies a partial inventory of the variety of answers given. The
initial elements gathered require validation and further completion through more
detailed follow-up interviews. The initial corpus of results does, however, shed light
on some essential information, thereby opening up a series of fertile questions for
further reflection and study.
The participants did not all respond to this question in the same manner. Some
identified their underwater landscape quest as a desire to experience strong emotions
and sensations. Others were more specific about the ‘objects’they were actually seeking to explore—particular types of relief, bedrock, species, environments, wrecks,
etc. For a few divers, their quest was accompanied by a second specific activity,
generally photography. Some divers, sometimes the same ones, were seeking to experience specific, extraordinary atmospheres. In other cases, specific approaches,
like those of exploration or contemplation, were involved. The remarks were not of
course mutually exclusive, and often combined several different levels of response.
E. Bigando
seconds tick by.’ The temporal perspective of the underwater landscape emerges, in
fact, from these conflicting timescales. Indeed, however short, dives may be repeated
regularly, enabling the diver to gain a sharper vision of the dynamics of the underwater
landscape as time passes. Many divers confess a pronounced interest for ‘observing
changes in the underwater landscape as time goes by—season after season, year
after year.’
9.4 Experiencing the Underwater Landscape: the Quest
for a Really Singular Experience
‘Does the underwater landscape represent, for you, a diving objective? If so, what
exactly are you looking for?’ These were the terms of the second question in the
survey.
The vast majority of participants (65 out of 76) replied ‘yes’ to this question
(Fig. 9.3). For 54 divers, exploring the underwater landscape was their main objective.
For the remaining 11, it was one of their objectives. Only 5 divers replied ‘no’, but
they did not explain why. Two divers replied both ‘yes and no’, arguing that their
answer would depend on the place where the dive was to take place and what the site
had to offer. They pointed out that it was easier to see the landscape in some places
than in others. ‘The underwater landscape in the Atlantic or Channel is difficult to
see because of the ‘fog.’ However, I find that landscapes in the Mediterranean are a
delight for the scope and depth of vision they offer, and the way I can see up to the
surface.’ Two other divers indicated that the landscape was ‘not necessarily’ a diving
objective, even if on some occasions it had an immediately noticeable presence.
They were more interested in observing the underwater fauna. The last two divers
considered that the landscape was a ‘bonus point’, i.e. not their principle diving
objective, but there to be enjoyed if underwater visibility allowed.
When the underwater landscape is envisaged as a diving objective, what exactly
are divers looking for?
We must point out here that our analysis of the results of our survey with regards
to this question only supplies a partial inventory of the variety of answers given. The
initial elements gathered require validation and further completion through more
detailed follow-up interviews. The initial corpus of results does, however, shed light
on some essential information, thereby opening up a series of fertile questions for
further reflection and study.
The participants did not all respond to this question in the same manner. Some
identified their underwater landscape quest as a desire to experience strong emotions
and sensations. Others were more specific about the ‘objects’they were actually seeking to explore—particular types of relief, bedrock, species, environments, wrecks,
etc. For a few divers, their quest was accompanied by a second specific activity,
generally photography. Some divers, sometimes the same ones, were seeking to experience specific, extraordinary atmospheres. In other cases, specific approaches,
like those of exploration or contemplation, were involved. The remarks were not of
course mutually exclusive, and often combined several different levels of response.