Sign Up Now For The Spearboard Open Tournament!

[SpearMax]

March 14, 2006

SIGN UP NOW FOR THE SPEARBOARD OPEN TOURNAMENT!

Dear Fellow Spearboard Member:

I have the pleasure of announcing that we are now ready to take registrations for the 2006 Spearboard Open tournament which will be held on the weekend of May 20-21, 2006. You should sign up right away as we are limiting the number of contestants to 300 this year. You will not want to miss getting a spot in this great spearfishing tournament which is one of the largest in the world. The following are the exciting details:

1. See an exciting three-minute video about the tournament – This video is streaming from our website server at www.spearfishingmagazine.com and shows you the excitement of this tournament and the Spearboard community.

2. Sign up on-line or by snail mail – On-line registration with the ability to pay by credit card is a new feature of the 2006 SBO. This feature is provided through the new ownership of the tournament by Spearfishing Magazine.

3. The value of the T-Shirt and Cap Raffle Prizes has been tripled this year – All purchasers of T-shirts or Kahki Spearboard caps get a raffle ticket, up to ten tickets for ten shirts or caps. The Raffle Grand Prizes are valued at over $6,000 and include three spearfishing trips to North Carolina, Mexico and the Marquesas Keys/ Dry Tortugas in South Florida.

4. The Rules, Location and Format are essentially the same as last year - This event will continue to be held in New Port Richey, Florida which is just north of Tampa. We have made a few minor clarifications to the rules. We expect to have 300 contestants and over 600 attendees at the BBQ, Expo and Prize Ceremony on the weekend of May 20-21, 2006.

So, do not delay. Go directly to www.spearfishingmagazine.com to see the video and get the links to sign up now for one of the best spearfishing tournaments on earth. I hope you enjoy the challenge and I look forward to seeing you there. :thumps:

All the best,


Tony Grogan (“SpearMax”)

Owner of SpearBoard.com
and Spearfishing Magazine

[SpearMax]

Bill, we would love to have you come out for the Open. Watch the video. It is alot of fun and you will get to meet many other Board Dwellers! :cool: Tony

[chasintail]

We will have a diver there if at all possible. :cool:

[SpearMax]

We will have a diver there if at all possible. :cool:
Great Nick! I hope it is you. I was looking forward to putting a screen name with a face. Let us know when you decide. Tony

[Spearchucker]

I will be there, have not missed one yet.

Bill - a little more positive outlook goes a long way.

[Spear One]

Wow Tony, you tripled the prize package to over $6000.00 for entrants who purchase T-Shirts & Caps? Can you explain a little more about how they can win one of these incredible prizes?

[Charlestondivin]

You know we are IN! Weather kept all of us up the carolina coast from participating last year.

[SpearMax]

Wow Tony, you tripled the prize package to over $6000.00 for entrants who purchase T-Shirts & Caps? Can you explain a little more about how they can win one of these incredible prizes?

Thanks for the question Kevin. The first step should be to go www.spearfishingmagazine.com and watch that streaming video, especially if a board member or lurker has not been to SBO before. Further links to the prizes are there. The tripling of the raffle prizes value from $2,000 to $6,000 gives them a much greater odds of winning as well as increased choice. Of course, you can sell your prize to someone else if cash is king with you. The first ticket drawn can choose from the three fantastic spearfishing dive trps to North Carolina, Mexico or the Keys. The next ticket drawn chooses from the two remaining prizes. The third ticket gets the last prize. All these boats are great! Also, this year they can buy caps as well as T-shirts to be entered in the raffle.

[Spear One]

Spearmax,

Are participants elidgible to win one of these prizes simply by entering the tournament? If so, how many do they get?

Do they receive additional tickets for each t-shirt & cap purchased? If so, is there a limit to the number of tickets each person is allowed?

Are all the tickets combined and the winners drawn at random?

I don't remember exactly how this worked last year so maybe you can shed some light on this for me and any new folks who may want to enter the tournament.

[SpearMax]

Spear One,

Here is the description of the raffle from the rules located at http://www.spearboardopen.com/2006rules.htm

All purchasers of t-shirts and caps get a raffle ticket, up to ten tickets for ten shirts and caps. This year we have tripled the Raffle Grand Prizes valued at over $6,000. Three tickets will be drawn and given a choice of three superb spearfishing trips as follows:

A two day trip with five of your buddies aboard the 29' SPEARIT Dive Charter In North Carolina including accommodations for one night for your entire party, just minutes from the dive boat. Check out their website here: www.SpearitCharters.com


A six day trip for two people on the 130' liveaboard Andrea Lynn dive mother ship with 10 diving skiffs operating in the Sea of Cortez in Mexico. Excludes travel to Mexico and fish cleaning gratuities. Check out their web site here: www.SeaofCortezDiving.com


A four day trip for two people on the 60' liveaboard M/V Playmate to the Marquesas Keys and Dry Tortugas in South Florida. Check out their website here: www.SpearfishingCharters.com


There will be three winners drawn. You need not be present to win. We will place your raffle ticket into the bin when we ship your shirts and caps. There will be a print out of the raffle tickets placed in the jar at the Spearboard Tournament.

[SpearMax]

For your specific questions:

Q - Are participants eligible to win one of these prizes simply by entering the tournament? If so, how many do they get?

A - No, they must buy a T-shirt or cap to get a raffle ticket. Simply entering the tournament yields no raffle tickets, but plenty of other benefits like potential trips to the big prize table for fish weigh-in entries, eating at the BBQ and attending the Expo. The three dive trip raffle prizes are separate from the main prize table which last year was worth over $30,000 and should be more this year.

Q - Do they receive additional tickets for each t-shirt & cap purchased? If so, is there a limit to the number of tickets each person is allowed?

A - Yes, more shirts and caps means more raffle ticket chances to win up to ten tickets. We want everyone to be able to participate in the raffle.

Q - Are all the tickets combined and the winners drawn at random?

A - Yes, that way everyone has an equal chance to win.

[Spear One]

Thanks, that pretty well clears it up.

One more question: For folks who do not plan to enter the tournament, can they buy shirts and caps and still be elidgible to win the trips?

[Nsearch]

Q - Are participants eligible to win one of these prizes simply by entering the tournament? If so, how many do they get?

A - No, they must buy a T-shirt or cap to get a raffle ticket. Simply entering the tournament yields no raffle tickets, but plenty of other benefits like potential trips to the prize table, the BBQ and the Expo.


I understand that by just entering the tournament one would NOT receive a raffle ticket, you must purchase a hat or shirt in order to get a raffle ticket. But this statement confuses me :confused:

Simply entering the tournament yields no raffle tickets, but plenty of other benefits like potential trips to the prize table, the BBQ and the Expo.

[SpearMax]

I understand that by just entering the tournament one would NOT receive a raffle ticket, you must purchase a hat or shirt in order to get a raffle ticket. But this statement confuses me :confused:

Bryan, I modified the statement which I hope clears it up as follows:

A - No, they must buy a T-shirt or cap to get a raffle ticket. Simply entering the tournament yields no raffle tickets, but plenty of other benefits like potential trips to the big prize table for fish weigh-in entries, eating at the BBQ and attending the Expo. The three dive trip raffle prizes are separate from the main prize table which last year was worth over $30,000 and should be more this year.

[Nsearch]

Thanks Tony!

[Steel Shootin']

Tony,

The video came out great. Nice work.

Scott

[SpearMax]

Tony,

The video came out great. Nice work.

Scott

Yeah Scott, after the version of the video I showed at the Team Spearboard meeting, I had feedback that there needed to be more fish kill shots throughout the video. Sooooo.... I gave them what they wanted and kept it to the length of that 3 minute song. Thanks for the positive feedback.

[junior]

Nice video. Saw my wife chowing on BBQ with my son in his baby seat near the end:D Looking forward to another great event.

[Amphibious]

Question??? I've been an infrequent lurker on this forum. Find you guys very interesting. I'm interested in attending this event as a ........ well, i guess, a lurker :whistle: since that's what I'm used to doing here. Does it cost to lurk at the function? How does one get in? What is the best day(s) to attend? Thanks for the help.

My background.....I'm 68 years young, haven't done SCUBA since before certification was mandatory. That makes me pretty much antique. Will have my certification soon. Retired from pipefitting in WI five years ago. Moved to Ft. Pierce, FL six months ago and loving it. Not sure I'd ever spearfish but my interest in diving is related to my retirement business. I grow coral in captive environments for the marine hobby.

Dick

[Spearchucker]

Question??? I've been an infrequent lurker on this forum. Find you guys very interesting. I'm interested in attending this event as a ........ well, i guess, a lurker :whistle: since that's what I'm used to doing here. Does it cost to lurk at the function? How does one get in? What is the best day(s) to attend? Thanks for the help.

My background.....I'm 68 years young, haven't done SCUBA since before certification was mandatory. That makes me pretty much antique. Will have my certification soon. Retired from pipefitting in WI five years ago. Moved to Ft. Pierce, FL six months ago and loving it. Not sure I'd ever spearfish but my interest in diving is related to my retirement business. I grow coral in captive environments for the marine hobby.

Dick

I would have to go through and read the specifics, but I know in years past you could buy a lunch ticket for something like $10 and watch the weigh in, eat, etc...

[Spear One]

Probably the best time for you to attend is the Sunday weigh in/prize presentation. Buy a meal ticket, visit all the sponsor booths, meet the people, see the really big fish, and just experience the whole event. Not a bad deal for a $10.00 meal ticket. The Southern Open Derby and the St. Pete Open are also a lot of fun as well.

[SpearMax]

I'm 68 years young, haven't done SCUBA since before certification was mandatory. That makes me pretty much antique. Will have my certification soon. Retired from pipefitting in WI five years ago. Moved to Ft. Pierce, FL six months ago and loving it. Not sure I'd ever spearfish but my interest in diving is related to my retirement business. I grow coral in captive environments for the marine hobby. Dick

Dick, we would love to have at SBO a man of your enthusiasm for getting into diving later in life. And, we'd like to learn about growing coral. Just buy a meal ticket at www.spearboardopen.com and fax in the registration form to 561-844-8190 with that item specified. Hmmm..."Just buy a meal ticket" sounds like a movie line. I wish I could buy a meal ticket for life in general! Who knows? You might even take up spearfishing after meeting this wild and woolly bunch. LOL :lol: Tony

[Bill McIntyre]

Question??? My background.....I'm 68 years young.
Dick

Now I feel so much better at a mere 67.

Come on in- the water is fine.:)

[gulfdiver]

Looking Foward to it Tony.

[f94gator]

Excellent video. I'll be there one way or the other!

[cerobit]

My wife and I are registered and we're negotiating sidebets for highest aggregate. Looks like it will be an embarrasing weigh-in day if I lose :D

[Ed Walker]

That promo video is great! Wish I could be there.

[Marcus]

Spearmax,

If I initially chose scuba on my registration form and want to change it to freediving between now and tournament time, what's the rules regarding this?

[fishkillapro]

I just faxed my registration to you guys via the number on spearboardopen.com.

Is there any way to confirm that you recieved this?

Thanks

Cameron Vale

[Reef Raider]

Bottom Dweller's putting a crew together for this . I'm in for sure , I just paid up ! I'l bring the good weather with me ...

[SpearMax]

I just faxed my registration to you guys via the number on spearboardopen.com. Is there any way to confirm that you recieved this?
Thanks Cameron Vale


We have your fax in our hot little hands Cameron! Thanks. :thumps:

[SpearMax]

Spearmax, If I initially chose scuba on my registration form and want to change it to freediving between now and tournament time, what's the rules regarding this?

Marcus, good question. If you want to change your SBO registration to freediving only, please send another fax with a later date once you decide your strategy. This is important. As you know, to win the freediving trophy, you can not spear on scuba. All the best! :thumps:

[Marcus]

Marcus, good question. If you want to change your SBO registration to freediving only, please send another fax with a later date once you decide your strategy. This is important. As you know, to win the freediving trophy, you can not spear on scuba. All the best! :thumps:

What's the cut off date? The captains meeting?

[SpearMax]

What's the cut off date? The captains meeting?
Ok let's make it the captain's meeting. Are you going to wait for a weather forecast? Is that what it is about or is your strategy top secret? :D

[Marcus]

Ok let's make it the captain's meeting. Are you going to wait for a weather forecast? Is that what it is about or is your strategy top secret? :D


Awww...you got me. Yep, I'd like to have the option to change to freediving if there's going to be 5' foot seas.

[Spearchucker]

Awww...you got me. Yep, I'd like to have the option to change to freediving if there's going to be 5' foot seas.

That little 13' boat with the Merc don't go out in 5' seas?

[f94gator]

Talk about being on the ball. I just got a voicemail from somebody filling me in on the Spearboard Open. She was calling everybody that entered last year. Nice touch!!

[Spearchucker]

Yep, my call went on VM about a half hour ago.

[Amphibious]

Spearchucker,
I know in years past you could buy a lunch ticket for something like $10 and watch the weigh in, eat, etc...You got it. Just bought a lunch ticket, a T and a subscription to the mag. Hope to see you there.

Spear One,
Probably the best time for you to attend is the Sunday weigh in/prize presentation. Buy a meal ticket, visit all the sponsor booths, meet the people, see the really big fish, and just experience the whole event. Not a bad deal for a $10.00 meal ticket.Not a bad deal at all for $10 plus free beer. You can't beat that. Sunday's the day for me, thanks. :toast:

SpearMax,
Dick, we would love to have at SBO a man of your enthusiasm for getting into diving later in life. And, we'd like to learn about growing coral.Your on, be happy to teach you all I know about growing coral. It isn't as hard as one might think. It's definitly not for the faint of heart nor light of wallet.

Bill McIntyre
Now I feel so much better at a mere 67. I like to hang with the young crowd, hope to meet you, Bill. :thumps:

My Avatar is my business logo. If I can remember, I'll wear a T with it displayed. You guys introduce yourself to me, if you can remember. I realize you will be busy and pumped about winning the SBO. Good luck comes to those who think and plan ahead to win!!!

Good spearing you guys!

Dick

[cerobit]

winning the SBO...hell, i'll be happy to just have a fish for weigh-in :D

[f94gator]

Shit, I'm even easier, I'll be happy with a full cup of beer... :D

[Spear One]

Shit, I'm even easier, I'll be happy with a full cup of beer... :D

I guess the older you get.......the easier it is to please ya! Haaaaaaa!

[Oldsarge]

Hmmmm, guess we'll have to send Brandon. :allhail:

[Old Bateman]

Tony,
Can we buy shirts and hats on the day of the weigh in, and get raffle tickets then? Will they be the same price? What is the fax # to send the waiver?
Thanks, Rick.

[SpearMax]

Tony, Can we buy shirts and hats on the day of the weigh in, and get raffle tickets then? Will they be the same price? What is the fax # to send the waiver? Thanks, Rick.

Hi Rick! The fax number is 561-844-8190. It is better to buy the shirts and caps in advance because we may run out by the day of the tournament weigh-in, especially in the size shirts you might want. Tony

[Lady Luck]

Just joined Spearboard. Looking forward to the tournament. Sure looks like fun. :thumps:

[Nsearch]

Tony,

Does the price of advance registration include one meal ticket for the shooter?

[SpearMax]

Tony, Does the price of advance registration include one meal ticket for the shooter?

Yes Bryan, the registration fee includes your meal ticket. The extra meal tickets are for your guests. See ya there! Tony

[Nsearch]

Tony......who do we make the check out to if we're mailing in our registration? Enterprise Productions? Spearboard Open?

Make the check out to "Enterprise" Thanks.

[sharpshooter]

Tony, did you get my on line payment and my faxed registration yesterday afternoon under Jose Pais Jr.? These people better realize only 300 can enter. You always have the last minute people trying to sign up. Would be funny at the Capt. meeting for you to announce that 299 people have already signed up. Then, watch the mad dash for everyone trying to be #300 and not #301 to sign up. :D

[Charlestondivin]

Tony, question about the weather. I am sure most of the florida crowd doesn't have a problem signing up early because the tournament is dependant on gulf weather.

Last year all of us from NC and SC that registered early and paid for entry had 7-8' seas and small craft advisories. We were kind of SOL on our entry fees becuse the weather in florida was ok and the tournament went on as planned.

What will happen if we pre-register this year again and our weather is bad. I would hate to spend all that money for a tshirt again.

[SpearMax]

Tony, did you get my on line payment and my faxed registration yesterday afternoon under Jose Pais Jr.? These people better realize only 300 can enter. You always have the last minute people trying to sign up. Would be funny at the Capt. meeting for you to announce that 299 people have already signed up. Then, watch the mad dash for everyone trying to be #300 and not #301 to sign up. :D

Jose, we have both your on-line registration and your faxed waiver. You are number 298. Just kidding! LOL However, the sign-ups are going fast though. The whole issue with the 300 has to do with the size of the venue there at the Rotary Pavillion. It is definitely better to sign up sooner than later. Thanks for doing it. :thumps:

[SpearMax]

Tony, question about the weather. I am sure most of the florida crowd doesn't have a problem signing up early because the tournament is dependant on gulf weather.

Last year all of us from NC and SC that registered early and paid for entry had 7-8' seas and small craft advisories. We were kind of SOL on our entry fees becuse the weather in florida was ok and the tournament went on as planned.

What will happen if we pre-register this year again and our weather is bad. I would hate to spend all that money for a tshirt again.

Rob, the weather is always the big "what if" as you know. Scott M has recommended we go forward no matter what happens because we can't easily book the Pavillion for a rain date. Because of our flexible format and rules, there will be people hunting all over Florida, and surrounding states. The T-shirts and caps purchases gets you raffle ticket entries for some great prizes worth $6,000. The prize table donations and trophies will be given away. The BBQ and Expo will take place. The event will still be fantastic fun. :thumps:

[Slay Ride]

I think that kind of lends itself to encouraging people to go when it's not safe. If my crew has $300 invested in participating in the tournament (that's just raw cost not including rental stuff and loaners) and the weather is a factor I feel it might push people into participating when they should not.

Having a format as in fishing tournaments where if weather becomes a factor the participants have the opportunity to get back a majority (I would understand it not being the entire portion) back would be preferred.

Just some thoughts. I don't think I will be signing up in advance. If it fills to 300, I understand.

Les

[SpearMax]

I think that kind of lends itself to encouraging people to go when it's not safe. If my crew has $300 invested in participating in the tournament (that's just raw cost not including rental stuff and loaners) and the weather is a factor I feel it might push people into participating when they should not.

Having a format as in fishing tournaments where if weather becomes a factor the participants have the opportunity to get back a majority (I would understand it not being the entire portion) back would be preferred.

Just some thoughts. I don't think I will be signing up in advance. If it fills to 300, I understand.

Les

Hi Slay Ride!

Everyone has a different monetary risk tolerance for the $75± and we respect everyone's individual decision about signing up early or waiting for a weather report and risking not getting a spot. Remember "first come, first serve" is the mantra. Thanks for your feedback!

[dagodiver]

What number am I...I sent in my money a few weeks ago.!

Thanks
Dago.

Mike Muscato.

[sharpshooter]

You're at least lower than #298. Like Tony said, just kidding !!!!. See ya at the weigh-in.

[inletsurf]

Sent.

[SpearMax]

Thanks Inlet!

[inletsurf]

Thank you!

[Big Pig]

Tony

I know you can buy meal tickets online, but will you be able to purchase them Sunday at the weigh-in?

[Jammer]

Are shirts that are ordered going to be shipped, or pick-up at the capt's meeting/weigh-in?

Thanks. Bob

[Gary H]

The directions to weigh-in look like this:

"... This large Pavilion is on S.R. 52 in Pasco County, less than a mile from the Veterans Expressway (Suncoast Parkway). It is the same great location we had last year. It’s location next to an interstate will make travel to the weigh-in and prize ceremony convenient from all directions."

On Mapquest, I-75 intersects with 52. Is I-75 the same as Veterans/Suncoast Parkway? If so, is the Pavillion East or West of the Parkway?

Thanks,
Gary H

[fizisition]

On Mapquest, I-75 intersects with 52. Is I-75 the same as Veterans/Suncoast Parkway? If so, is the Pavillion East or West of the Parkway?

Thanks,
Gary H


No, they run parallel, but are many miles apart. The Pavillion is a stones throw west of the Parkway not I-75. The parkway will show as 589 probably on your map

[Gary H]

Thanks. I see it now West of I-75. I want to be sure to get all those sheephead and flat fish to the weigh-in :thumps:

[Old Bateman]

Tony, question about the weather. I am sure most of the florida crowd doesn't have a problem signing up early because the tournament is dependant on gulf weather.

Last year all of us from NC and SC that registered early and paid for entry had 7-8' seas and small craft advisories. We were kind of SOL on our entry fees becuse the weather in florida was ok and the tournament went on as planned.

What will happen if we pre-register this year again and our weather is bad. I would hate to spend all that money for a tshirt again.


Hey Rob,
The second SBO, we couldn't make it offshore, so we ended up shooting on artificial reefs in the bay. Even though we were way down on the place list, we still won prizes worth about three times our entry fee! If the weather is good down here, and bad up there, we'll give you our bay #'s! ;)

[LwrKzUndrH2OHunter]

Are there still spots available, how many people are signed up?

[DISKSKO]

I know you are all crazy busy organizing the SBO....I emailed Tony (spearmax) last week asking whether I could get a shirt while I visit New Port Richey this week (5/2 to 5/10).

Anyone I can call to get one? Or mailed?

Please let me know. There was a mistake last year and I didn´t get one. :( Not again please!

Thanks!

[junior]

Is there a way to confirm your spot in the tournament? I'd like to at least know that my paperwork was recieved. Anyway of doing this Tony?

[Kahuna]

Same question

[bgbill]

I know you are all crazy busy organizing the SBO....I emailed Tony (spearmax) last week asking whether I could get a shirt while I visit New Port Richey this week (5/2 to 5/10).

Anyone I can call to get one? Or mailed?

Please let me know. There was a mistake last year and I didn´t get one. :( Not again please!

Thanks!

I don't know who you would pick the shirt up from in New Port richey, Tony is in north Palm Beach.

I am sure you will get your shirt, and if you paid for a shirt last year, I very seriously doubt you didn't get one. :rolleyes:

But if you really think you were short changed last year, I will give you one of mine, I have worn all of mine, but I will pick out the best one and have my wife launder it for you, it will be an XL.

[Serpent6]

I have called and emailed a week ago also and have not receive a response back either. It would be nice to get a conformation of registration. The phone number redirects to a message machine only. If anyone has a better phone number to call please post it.

[dagodiver]

I have called and emailed a week ago also and have not receive a response back either. It would be nice to get a conformation of registration. The phone number redirects to a message machine only. If anyone has a better phone number to call please post it.


Ditto.!


Dago.

[inletsurf]

I don't know if I bought a shirt or not, cant find my receipt either. If I didn't buy a shirt, will I be able to get one at the weigh in?

[SpearMax]

I don't know if I bought a shirt or not, cant find my receipt either. If I didn't buy a shirt, will I be able to get one at the weigh in?

Yes Inlet! There will be shirts for sale at the Captain's meeting and the weigh-in. Send me a PM with first and last real name and I will check if you ordered any already. Thanks!

[SpearMax]

Is there a way to confirm your spot in the tournament? I'd like to at least know that my paperwork was recieved. Anyway of doing this Tony?

We are updating the entire database over the next two days. If you ordered on-line, you should have gotten an e-mail receipt right then. If you mailed it in, we have to manually enter the data and will send a confirm this week. Thanks!

[dagodiver]

We are updating the entire database over the next two days. If you ordered on-line, you should have gotten an e-mail receipt right then. If you mailed it in, we have to manually enter the data and will send a confirm this week. Thanks!

Bump.?

Dago.

[junior]

We are updating the entire database over the next two days. If you ordered on-line, you should have gotten an e-mail receipt right then. If you mailed it in, we have to manually enter the data and will send a confirm this week. Thanks!

I mailed in the waivers, but paid on-line. Thanks Tony.

[Lady Luck]

Don't think I'm gonna make it to the tournament after all.The work keeps building and the car is screaming at me as well. Hope you have a great time..Good luck! LadyLuck