Nationals 2006 info

[Sheri]

The President of the Longfins Club, Carlos Ortega, and all club members would like to welcome participants to Nationals 2006. This is an annual freedive spearfishing tournament that is held in different parts of the country, rotating venues each year. Participants pre-qualify through tournaments held by their respective clubs. This year, it will be hosted by the Longfins and held in the Pompano Beach area of South Florida on Wednesday, July 19. The boundaries are Port Everglades inlet to Boca inlet, departing from Hillsboro inlet. For additional infomation including rules and fish list, please visit the website at http://www.longfins.org/Nationals2006.html.

Our goal is to make it the best Nationals ever. We are blessed with abundant fish species, interesting wrecks, and beautiful reefs. In addition, there is good night life in South Florida, diverse activities for your family to enjoy, and an international flavor like no other. While winning is important to most, we also value the chance for camaraderie between spearfishing brothers/sisters and want everyone to have a great time.

In order to get the message out, we are posting this same message on several forums. Please direct your comments and questions to Carlos Ortega or Parinaz Bristol (Director of Nationals). Their contact information is on the website.

[blueh2oboy]

Good Species List. Same questions from our group on the boundaries. That is going to be a great time down there I know there are a lot of really really good teams and divers that are really gunning for this one so it should be extremely competetive as always. Thanks for posting Sheri.

[Sheri]

You only need a latitudinal line for the north and south boundary (that'll draw a straight east/west line). The exact numbers with be posted on the website soon, but that shouldn't stop your scouting if you want to start now. The north and south boundaries will be very close to those inlets but not including the channel, of course, due to safety issues.

The western boundary will be the beach, but staying away the proper distance to comply with local laws. The eastern boundary will be farther out than anyone needs to go. That should be enough information to scout. They will be posting a map soon.

Always....be safe, have fun.

[Dave Edlund]

Thank you Longfins for hosting the 2006 U.S. National Spearfishing Championships! I visited your waters last week and got a taste of Florida diving! My team from California will have a tough time, but looks forward to competing on your home turf. I hope my gun will shoot straight and fast when the time counts on July 19th.

I am also excited to participate in the Spearfishing Seminar being held on Thursday, July 2Oth at the IGFA in the Ft. Lauderdale area. I look forward to hearing Art Pinder, Darryl Wong and Kirk Krack speak about spearfishing and the art of freediving. The $65 I paid for the seminar goes to a great charity and I was able to pay on-line using Paypal. Here is the link if you want to sign up. I am sure it will fill up quick so get your reservation in now.

http://www.longfins.org/seminarexpo.html

Florida Rocks!

Dave Edlund
Los Gatos, California

[SpearMax]

Dave, the Nationals are getting closer and closer. Should be a great event. Good luck!

[chasintail]

I thought those are as were hurt badly from a red tide a few years back?Correct me if I'm wrong.The best hunters will shine if this is the case.

[Lobsterman]

Sheri,

Best of luck at Nationals. You really are a powerful foundation in our world. I won't be attending Nationals this year, but hopefully after my PFI course in Sept. and more practice, I can in '07.
Looking forward to the expo. Great hunting and be safe!!

Steve

[kitefisherman]

I thought those are as were hurt badly from a red tide a few years back?Correct me if I'm wrong.The best hunters will shine if this is the case.

Nick: I've lived here almost 40 years (the last 11 consecutively). I can't recall us ever having red tide. The Gulf Stream can be as close as a mile offshore, so we get pretty well flushed out with warm blue water. That probably has a lot to do with it. We do have a lot more hunting pressure than most places I've hunted. The depth drops off from 40' to 100' over a couple hundred yards within a mile or so offshore. There isn't a lot of secret bottom structure. Finding fish will be key. Local hunters and those scouting will have the advantage.

[Spearo_Fla]

Nick, what are you smokin? Red Tide? It's not going to be a turkey shoot and many of the species will not be seen and fishing in July usually sucks but it's still my backyard. Go Extreme Divers!

[deepdown]

I'm with BAB and Kite. You more than likely won't see all the species this time of year, and actually finding the fish is going to be key. Like Kite said not a lot of secret bottom there... We'll see how it goes. I just hope we have vis, 'cause if the fish are deep, it will really suck w/15ft vis... just a few more weeks.

Gerald

[BoyntonBeachBum]

If non-competitors wanted to come to the weigh in, where should one go? What time?

Hope the tournament is a huge sucess!

[deepdown]

3:00 PM at Sands Harbor Hotel and Marina Resort in Pompano Beach.