TALES OF A SALTY DAWG

I discovered a place where the Lucayan Indians lived over 500 years ago. There’s a big cave nearby large enough to shelter 50 people during   a strong hurricane. Sunlight pours into the cave in one section from above and small tunnels run off in several directions that only a very small person could fit through, it’s a magical place.

Charlie, his wife Joyce, and their son/dog Nick in one of Long Island’s many caves

2. So what is this group you lead called the “group of people who do cool shit,” and how do you become a member?

Well we don’t really have a name and how you become a member is by having advanced skills in the ocean. Our clan meets long before dawn and travels by boat in the darkness to amazing places in the ocean. When there’s enough light to see underwater we slide over the side of the boat and take in the underwater world.

3. How did you train your dog Nick to tube, and when can we expect to see Nick featured in a Hollywood movie directed by Steven Speilberg?

Well my buddy Josh and I started playing with Nick and the tube behind my boat. Josh would ride on the tube with him and then slide off the back once we got going. At first he was freaked out and then he started getting stoked because we were cheering him on. He started standing up on the tube and leaning into the turns when we took him outside of the wake and now he’s a champ at tubing. I don’t know about Nick being in a Hollywood film, boxers like to sleep alot.

Nick the wonder dog tubing

Charlie about to take Nick the dog outside the wake.

4. You’ve done a lot of cool shit I want to know one of your most memorable things you’ve done?

I took a skydiving class with some friends and we got to free fall on our first jump. The six hour class was about what to do if your shute doesn’t open. You got to try this, it’s really gives you a rush, falling for seven thousand feet at 120 mph followed by the biggest yuck of your life when the shute opens really clears your mind of the unimportant stuff.

5. What is something you haven’t done that you want to do?

I’d like to go to the deepest place in the ocean and see what’s there.

6. Favorite Surf Experience?

I was surfing in Hawaii at a secret spot with two friends on the northwest side of Oahu. There were strong offshore winds that day and the waves were big. My buddy and I enjoyed dropping in on waves together we called it  “ Blue Angels” like the guys who fly the jets. A big left came in and we both paddled for the wave, as I started to take off I saw my friend turning off of the bottom behind and below me . I was hung up at the top of the wave because of the strong wind and there was not going to be any way to make it to the bottom before this monster went off. I turned at the top of the wave just as the lip was about to come over and pulled into an insanely deep tube, up ahead  I see my friend do a snap up into the tube in front of me. I did a hoot to let him know I was behind him and that we were getting tubed together , we came out of the tube, kicked out and started screaming. Only a surfer could ever understand how it feels to have this happen. I have lived a dream life as a surfer.

Charlie in Hawaii

7. How far East of Java is Uluwatu?

Well that’s hard to say you see there’s the real Uluwatu and then there’s a tricky shallow reef  break we call Uluwatu east of Java. Let’s just say you don’t want to eat it at either location.

Charlie from above the water at Uluwatu East of Java

Charlie from below the water at Uluwatu East of Java

8. What is “island life” to you?

Enjoying the simple pleasures of life, surrounded by the beautiful ocean. I can hear the waves breaking on the beach just outside my window, this is the highest quality of life one could ask for.

Charlie and myself enjoying the good life in the Bahamas

9. Favorite thing about island life?

There’s an understanding between island people that we are different, we know how to survive with practically nothing.

Charlie and Joyce then

Charlie and Joyce now

Vertical Blue Crew

Charlie and Nick on the wailer, I think Nick see’s something

For anyone who wants to make a trip out to the islands and have the best time ever, or are thinking about buying some land get a hold of Charlie Beede.  He runs Bahamas Best Real Estate, check out his website here.