Written 1984
There is a dive site on the Caribbean island of Bonaire that
was not named for the fish one might see, the coral formations,
or some romantic reason. It was named for the way in which the
first divers entered the water. The name of this dive site is
Rappel. The idea behind such an unusual method of getting in the
water was to see if rappelling -descending a mountain or the face
of a cliff by using ropes - was possible in full scuba equipment
without too much danger.
Stan Gdowksi, a mountaineer and diver from New Jersey, traveled
to Bonaire with all the necessary gear and was in charge of all
the aspects of the rappel. He also explained the techniques to
me and together we made many practice descents on small faces
of cliffs with the scuba equipment. Finally, after I felt reasonably
assured that I was ready, a suitable location was chosen for the
actual rappel in full scuba gear. We soon found it was possible,
without too much danger, but the main feature of the entire exercise
was what was discovered upon entering the water. Before this no
one had dived in the area and neither of us expected such beauty
underwater.
Rappel is like no other reef on Bonaire. The 65 foot sheer
face above the water line continues underwater to a depth of about
35 feet. Here the reef flattens out to a ledge about 50 to 70
feet wide before taking a spectacular drop to several hundred
feet. Both the shallows and the drop-off are covered with corals
of every description.
Just below the present day water level there is a beautiful
undercut formed when the oceans were lower. It is very much like
swimming in a cave but with one side completely open. Waves smash
overhead, causing a churning of white water and a deep rumble,
that a diver can both hear and feel. Pockets of air trapped in
crevices and holes disappear when a wave strikes and then suddenly
return as the wave recedes. All along this cavern are orange cup
corals, many of which, because of the low light, are out feeding.
Their tiny orange tentacles wave relentlessly in the surge.
There is also a pair of French Angelfish that make this area
their home, along with a large Tiger Grouper. Lately, a school
of 10 or more Barracuda have been frequenting the reef.
Because the shallow area directly under the cavern is well
covered in shadows from the overhead cliff, interesting available
light photography can be done easily. Contrast from the outlined
undercut and the blue water gives a very unusual effect. Sunlight
beams down from the surface. Divers need only swim a few feet
out of the shadow to become completely covered in strong sunlight,
enough that a strobe is not absolutely essential.
At one time a very small section of Rappel was used as a dumping
area for electrical fixtures such as air conditioners and small
transformers. This was long before the rules governing the protection
of Bonaire's reefs were in effect. The dive operators on Bonaire
got together, and with the help of about 10 divers, removed almost
every piece of debris, making Rappel perhaps one of the most beautiful
and unique reefs on Bonaire.
The dive boats from all the shops and hotels take trips to Rappel
and tie up to the permanent mooring there so no anchors will damage
the reef. It is no longer necessary to push off the top of the
cliff with rope and carabineers, laden down with full scuba gear
to see the reef and fish. If you actually want to do Rappel the
classic way you can bring your ropes - but the trip back up the
cliff is a bit harder than getting down.
Photographs from 1974
Post script - It is interesting after more than 30 years since
the first and only two divers to have done this, how many people
now claim they rappelled with Stan and me that and other days.
Oh how history changes over the years!!