O.k., it's been some time (7/13/05)and I'm no longer worried of you all thinking I'm crazy or laughing at me! But this really happened!
We went in off the dock of Eden Beach just after dark to enjoy a night dive in what we feel is a very under rated site...Eden Rubble. We love to spend a few minutes at the shelf around the dock and also a few minutes peering under the dock itself and as usual we were not disappointed. My girlfriend spotted two squid about ten to twelve inches long, about three inches wide. They were side by side when we hit them with our lights. Quickly they turned directly towards us, allowing us to further examine these awesome creatures. After about ten seconds, they both darted off at top speed and stopped just in range of our lights, not facing us, but side by side again. They were a soft red the whole time. We were still only in eleven feet of water, right at the dock. Again, after about ten seconds, they darted, side by side to the left of us. So, to clarify, we have gone from looking under the dock, to our left and now facing directly away from the dock. They again turned and faced us. Our lights remained on them (mistake?). It was then that they, at great speed, hurtled towards Renee and I. One of the squid torpedoed my left shoulder. According to Renee, the other she felt fly under her left armpit! As we reacted, (I.E. tried to move our startled souls, the water around us was a bright magenta). The whole water column! The one hit me so hard, I thought it may have killed itself. But after moving away from the red sea, it was nowhere to be found. Obviously it was strong enough to survive the ramming. They were gone, as was my girlfriend. She was on the surface muttering, oh my god, oh my god! not really, but I knew I'd get bleeped if I wrote what she was really saying.
Anyone ever heard of this? I told the Wannadive crew the next morning and they suggested I get another beer. I have heard the lights may bother them, but this almost seemed like a planned attack. One took me, one took Renee. Are they smarter than we think? Anyone had a similar experience? I swear it happened. also, I have seen octopus ink, but it has always been a dark blue/black color. Do squid ink red? I guess I know the answer to that one. I love diving and try to read every article I can get my hands on. I have never read about anything like this with squid. P.S. I'm coming back this coming July to settle the score with them! I'm interested in hearing your replies.

Hi Rich,

They are the well known Wanna Kill Squid, you were lucky I guess they liked you. Those Wannadive boys are a bad lot ... get another beer, thats their answer to everything and thats why I like them:-)

On a serious note I seem recall in some parts of the world they fish for squid by using lights. As for the colour it could be ink looks black in daylight but your lights highlighted other hues at night, just a thought or maybe I should have another beer!

An interesting report and I hope some one can come up with a firm answer.

Dave

I've been nearby when squid, feeling threatened, but not by me, released "ink" during the day. The color was blue/black and quickly spread and clouded the area, while they made their escape. Perhaps at night in diver's lights it appears red. The more I learn about octopus and squid the more I'm amazed by their intelligence and strategic abilities. Should your thread title, "squid attack" be changed to "squid defense?" :-)

Rich if someone shined a bright light on you and your girlfriend would'nt your reaction be similar? I did a night dive in July at Calabas Reef with a squid darting at me also. Their eyes are sensitive so I can understand their reaction. You had an interactive squid encounter that you can tell your Grandchildren about.

David you very accurately described the Wanna dive crew, also why I like them. Last week the killer squid were not in residence, at least not early morning or late afternoon. There were a few munching Damsel Fish looking for some skin. Remember put your head underwater and you move one step down the food chain.

Hi guys, on our website you can find under the header 'news' a trip report. It is in Dutch, it accuses us of all kinds of mafia-like acts, but more importantly, it has some foto's including one of a wanna-kill-squid of 5 meters right under our dock!!!
See you in Vegas, Rich
Bart

Bart...we've been hearing great things about your shop...it sounds like you will be busy when we all decend on you in October. I will even quell my cravings for calamari

Cam, don't tell Bart that you have been hearing great things, his head will swell;-{)}

Bart, look forward to seeing you in 47 days!! Hope we go to Swiss Chalet again:-{)}

(Message edited by vtscuba on August 25, 2005)

Bart, I'm looking forward to just meeting you period.. I missed you when I was there last July. But Bob took FANTASTIC care of me. You guys are awesome !!! See you soon!

Bart, my man, we don't make accusations on BT. We only deal with facts.

Get another beer? Heard it!

Wanna-kill-squid? Seen it!

Mafia-like acts? Wouldn't bet against it?

47 days, Bart! 47 days!

(Message edited by smack on August 25, 2005)

OK, add another nut to pot...Bart, you and Bob better prepare for the onslaught of us coming to Wannadive end of Sept and Oct...we will be easily recognizable...tiaras, tutus, and purple thongs

On second thought, we promise to behave ourselves (sort of)...we dont' want Bart and Bob suddenly going "off island" for unknown reasons ;-)

I'm sure if Bart and Bob talk nice...somebody can find thongs for them

Rich, OK I'm laughing - but with you, not at you. I had the same thing happen to me about 5 years ago. My wife, son & I were just finishing a night dive off the dock at Buddy's. We were hovering at about 10' & saw a single squid. It set very still in my light beam for about 20 seconds & then hurled itself directly at my face, hitting me in the mask with a surprisingly loud "THUMP". I don't remember seeing any ink afterwards, but the squid was no longer in sight. We surfaced & had a good laugh about it.

Interestingly, Bart & Bob were at Buddy's then. I didn't mention the squid to them, but probably would have gotten the same answer you did! Is it coincidence that the "WannaKill Squids" are now at Eden Beach? I think not!

BTW, I agree that Eden Beach is a very under rated site. I've seen some great juvenile trunk fish, spotted drum & octopus there, not to mention the giant green moray.

Jerry, I agree it was the lights that probably marked us for assassination. I even tried to move my light towards the rear of their bodies knowing that the light would not settle well with them. Like Bob said "those big light cannons you Americans carry." I am officially seeking a smaller "cannon"...thank you Bob. Personally, I thought the encounter awesome, I think Renee has a different opinion, which is why my screen saver is now full of squid shots!
Steve, I'm so glad this happened to someone else. everyone, I mean everyone who I have told thinks I'm nuts. Well, come to think of it...they thought that before the story.
Bart, I have already spoken to my brother and things are set for your visit. Please contact me about a week before you leave, I'm not sure the casino's will have enough beer on hand for you and Bob, so I'd like to send them all a reminder that your coming. My nephew is your son's age, maybe they can hang out, giving you more free time. Let me know. P.S. We've already reserved for July 7-17, 06 w/Eden and WannaDive of course.
P.s.s. I swear I heard one of those killa squid scream "Release the Hounds" prior to attack.

Does this look like someone who would say "have another beer?"

Or this guy?

Steve, I too met Bart and Bob when they were at BD. After they left, something was missing, so I went to where they had gone and found it again. What was missing was the FUN!!!

Meredith, great photos of the guys:-{)}

This is my favorite photo of Bart:

I see Bob is still using the same cocktail glass:-)