SBO 2007 - Who will be "the best of the best" and win these big prizes? Sign up now!

[SpearMax]

30 DAYS AND COUNTING!

Last year, it was quite a spectacular field of over 300 dynamic contestants at SBO 2006. The results are shown below. :thumps:

With just 30 days left before the weigh-in, many are wondering:

Who will finish in this special cadre of top twenty?

These are "the best of the best" who typically get the biggest prizes on that rich SBO prize table.

But, there could be some "spoilers" out there who are relative unknowns. There are lots of new people already signed up from all over the USA - Texas, California, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Georgia, just to name a few home states.

And boy oh boy, what a prize table it will be! :toast:

And check out prize thread # 2 here:

http://www.spearboard.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44914

[SpearMax]

One of the things that makes the Spearboard Open Spearfishing Tournament stand out is the richness of its prize table. The 2007 Spearboard Open prize table looks like it will be keeping up the tradition. There are four levels of sponsorship: Bronze ($500), Silver ($1,500), Gold ($2,500) and Platinum ($4,000). Over the coming weeks leading up to the tournament weekend on May 19-20, we will be announcing the additions of prizes to the prize table. Here are just a few of the prizes that should whet your appetite.

PRIZE TABLE – ROUND ONE

In this thread, let’s look at just three sponsors contributing to the prize table. There will be many more announced soon. Remember that the Spearboard Open is an “aggregate tournament” which means your trip to the prize table is determined by your aggregate fish score based on weight in several categories. The highest score goes first. The lowest score goes last. It is that simple. But, you’d be surprised how many contestants don’t realize this aspect of the Spearboard Open rules and don’t weigh-in their fish for every category. Bad mistake! - because there are prizes for everyone. There are also mystery tickets and trophies for biggest fish categories as well as female, junior and boat winners. For full details, please see the rules at this link:

http://www.spearboardopen.com/rules.htm

Go there and check out those rules to be sure you understand them.

Here is what the trophies looked like last year and the list of trophy categories. There will be a total of ten (10) Trophies up for grabs:

1. 2007 Spearboard Open Winner
2. 2007 Spearboard Open First Place Freediver
3. Largest Grouper
4. Largest Snapper
5. Largest Hogfish/Flounder
6. Largest Trigger/Sheepshead
7. Largest Amberjack or Cobia
8. Best Aggregate for Female Diver
9. Best Aggregate for Junior Diver
10. Best Boat

The 2007 Spearboard Open Winner (best overall aggregate), shall be awarded his or her trophy, and have first pick at the prize table. Each winner shall be awarded his or her trophy, and go to the prize table in accordance with his/her aggregate score.

[SpearMax]

Now, let's talk prizes. I want to start off with what will be a "Special Sign-up Incentive" that will help motivate everyone to get on board and fill up our goal and maximum capacity of 400 shooters for the 2007 SBO.

LEVERETTE HOME DESIGN – GOLD SPONSOR - $2,500

AND SPECIAL SBO SIGN-UP INCENTIVE of 10% OFF!


Two of our valuable Spearboard members - ITSABOUTTIME (aka Brian Leverette) and polespear (aka David Butts) - approached me about giving back to the Spearfishing community that they enjoy so much.

Leverette Home Design Center is giving us a $2,500 high-end gas grill as a fantastic prize. They are also decided to give the following:

A 10% discount (on all items they sell) up until the SBO
with proof of pre-registration to the SBO.

Wow! this was their idea, not mine. Thanks you guys for this incentive! :thumps:

Please visit their website to see what they have to offer:

http://www.levtile.com/

Leverette Home Design Center offers the finest appliances, flooring, and granite countertops available anywhere. They carry top name brands in appliances and accessories, including ranges, cook-tops, sinks, faucets, refrigerators, outdoor grills, dishwashers, hoods, front-load washers, and dryers, and more. They also have available a large selection of tile and stone imported from all over the world. They fabricate beautiful granite and marble countertops, vanities, and tabletops in their Port Richey facility.

The $2,500 SBO prize is a Thermador Char-Glo Outdoor Barbecue. These grills are rugged yet refined inside and out. Thermador's exclusive, patented Anti-Flare, Radiant Heating System produces superior grilling by reducing flare-ups. Guys and girls - this is not a cheap gas grill like those that you often see around. What a great prize idea Brian and Dave!

[SpearMax]

Leverette Home Design Center has two great locations. They proudly serve Central Florida and the Tampa Bay area including: Alachua, Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Levy, Marion, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sumter Counties.

Store # 1
6836 Ridge Rd.
Port Richey, FL 34668
Phone (727) 846-9249
Fax (727) 846-9185

Hours - Mon-Fri 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Sat 10:00 am-5:00 pm

Store # 2
2648 NW 6th St.
Ocala, FL 34475
Phone (352) 620-2055
Fax (352) 620-0036

Hours - Mon-Fri 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Sat 10:00 am-3:00 pm

Here are some images of one store and the work products.

[SpearMax]

Leverette Home Design Center import their own slabs to provide their customers with competitive prices and unique choices in colors and styles. All of the fabrication work is done in-house and professionally installed in your home or business. For contractors and commercial projects, their production capability can support the largest of projects and our lead times are among the shortest in the industry. Their goal is to provide extraordinary service and value to homeowners, businesses, and contractors, whether you are looking for one appliance, completely remodeling, building a new home, or developing a commercial project.

Here are some shots of their inventory. Please visit one of their stores and take advantage of their generous incentive offer and sign up for the SBO right away. Get by and say hello to your fellow Spearboard members ITSABOUTTIME (aka Brian Leverette) and polespear (aka David Butts).

There are only 30 days left!

[SpearMax]

Our next sponsor profile is one of our super recurring sponsors. Kevin Senecal and Mike Hess of Divers Direct are some of the best retail marketers in the industry. These generous guys will be at the SBO 2007 Expo because they realize the growth potential of the spearfishing sector and decided to make their prizes even richer this year than last year. :yippee:

DIVERS DIRECT – PLATINUM SPONSOR - $4,500

Divers Direct has sponsored the SpearBoard Open for years. This year, as a Platinum Sponsor they are providing our most valuable single prize so far -

Divers Direct Shopping Spree worth $3,000!
In addition, Divers Direct has contributed two more excellent prizes:

Second shopping spree worth $1,000

Third shopping spree worth $500!

Now those are some increbible prizes! :toast:

Divers Direct didn't become the world's largest dive shop by accident. Be sure to stop into any of their 6 Florida locations to see why more divers, spearfishers, and water enthusiasts call Divers Direct / World Watersports the best dive spot on dry land! With stores in Orlando, West Palm, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida City, Key Largo, & Key West - you're never far from one - call 800-DIVE-USA for hours & directions. Check out Divers Direct’s website at www.diversdirect.com The following is a sample of recent images I shot of one of their stores.

[SpearMax]

Here are some more Divers Direct images. Get into their stores for a visit. You will be impressed!

[SpearMax]

FLORIDA FREEDIVERS - GOLD SPONSOR - $2,500

Florida Freedivers is back again as a gold sponsor. Mike and Cheryl are a pleasure to deal with in person or on the phone. They have an amazing specialty dive store which caters specifically to the free diver. Spearos from great distances travel to their location in Palm Beach County, Florida to choose from the one of the largest collections of spearfishing equipment for free divers on the continental USA. ;) As in past years, the prizes donated to the 2006 SBO from Florida Freedivers will be a wide assortment of excellent spearfishing equipment. :thumps: Check out their website at: http://www.flfreedivers.com/

Here are some photos I took of their brand new store location. Go by or call up and say hello to Mike and Cheryl!

[SpearMax]

Great selection and great advice make Florida Freedivers a real resource. :yawwn:

[SpearMax]

That is it for this first round of prizes, but that is not the end. Let's talk about some beneficiaries of the 2007 SBO. There are two that I will report on here. First, the FRA. Denny O'Hern and the Fishing Rights Alliance do so much for the preservation of spearfishing rights we must say a big thanks. But, we also must go one step further!

I am proud to announce that the 2007 Spearboard Open in conjunction with Florida Freedivers and the Spearfishing Industry Alliance will repeat last year's successful "Ring Toss" fundraiser at the SBO Expo. Our goal this year is to try to do the folowing:

Raise at least $1,000 for the FRA!

Here are some images:

[SpearMax]

Last year, my good friend AJ Suarez (aka Dive4Blood) arranged something very special for the SBO that tapped into the hearts and minds of our shooters. For the second year now, the 2007 SpearBoard Open is benefitting the Suncoast Harvest Food Bank by enabling the tournament contestants to have the opportunity to donate some of their fresh fish catches to help feed the poor and needy in the Pasco and Hernando County communities.

The Food Bank will have their refrigerated truck next to the weigh-in tent. You will be asked only once if you want to donate once you get through the line and there is absolutely no obligation do so. This charity aspect was a wonderful thing for us to do last year. The Food Bank appreciated it tremendously as did those poor families who so rarely have fresh fish. :cool:

According to their website, it is the mission of the Suncoast Harvest Food Bank to supply nutritious food and allied items to charitable feeding programs serving low-income and poverty stricken people. The Food Bank’s objective is to alleviate hunger, which in turn fortifies the will of individuals and families to succeed and improves their health – the foundation upon which better lives are built. The Suncoast Harvest Food Bank is located in Land O'Lakes, Florida. Their website is:

www.suncoastharvest.org.

Here are some images from their website.

[SpearMax]

That’s it for the first round = $9,500 in prizes!

Many more prizes are coming in daily. Our goal is have at least $75,000 of prizes at SBO 2007. :eek:

Remember - the slots of Spearboard Open 2007 are limited to 400 contestants, so don't delay. :sleep:

The advance sign-ups are coming from all over the country. :thumps:

Sign-up right now at the following link: http://www.spearboardopen.com/

And check out prize thread # 2 here:

http://www.spearboard.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44914

[Ed Walker]

Wow. That is an impressive prize list. Man, $2500 in Florida Freedivers or DD bucks would be REALLY nice.

[SpearMax]

Wow. That is an impressive prize list. Man, $2500 in Florida Freedivers bucks would be REALLY nice.

Thanks Ed! Mike and Cheryl at Florida Freedivers are donating a variety of prizes that total $2500 as a Gold Sponsor. Their excellent store is a few blocks from my house. They agreed to give us a wide assortment of prizes so the prize table is not so top-heavy. I really appreciate that and of course they will run the ring toss FRA fund-raiser in the extra EXPO table space we are giving them. Good people working for a good cause! :)

[HeadHunter]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What else can you say??? WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Red Tide]

Awsome job Tony. The SBO prize table is always something to behold. It is important that we "All Spearos" support the companies that support this tournament.
The sponsors need to see a return for their generous donations, and I need more snorkel keepers. :D

[fishkillapro]

I plan on shooting the SBO; but just wondering, how many entries do you have so far??

Feel free not to answer if it is confidential or something.....

[SpearMax]

I plan on shooting the SBO; but just wondering, how many entries do you have so far??

Feel free not to answer if it is confidential or something.....


We are going to wait until there are 399 entries to announce it. ;) Because of the nature of the SBO, we get a tremendous number of advance sign-ups. GR Tarr (aka Red Tide) was the first to sign up this year. See his post above. That freedive guru wins so many prizes at tournaments, it is ridiculous. :D

Last year, there were 305 contestant entries and our goal was 300. We have a marketing campaign coming that will fill up the remainder of the 400 for SBO 2007 pretty fast in my opinion. But, that campaign is top secret until you see it happen. :p

[bruce119]

When do you think the shirts will come. No hurry just woundering.
Thanks
Bruce

[SpearMax]

When do you think the shirts will come. No hurry just woundering.
Thanks
Bruce
Good News Bruce! They just arrived at the end of last week and we are mailing them this coming week to those who ordered them. They look great! I will put up a separate thread with photos on them shortly. :cowboy:

[westpalmspearo]

is there a cap at 400 people

[SpearMax]

is there a cap at 400 people
Yes Patrick. I hope you guys in Palm Beach Freedivers already mailed in the registrations like you said you were going to do. :cowboy:

[Quetzal]

If the cap last year was 300 why did you sign up 305?

[westpalmspearo]

no we didnt

[Uno Breath]

Last year, there were 305 contestant entries
It sure sounds like you did.

[westpalmspearo]

no, he asked if we the divers from florida freedivers sent in our registration yet

[SpearMax]

If the cap last year was 300 why did you sign up 305?

Q, we over shot the goal by a few people and since it was not many, we let them in at the Thursday Captain's meeting which was the last chance to sign up. This tournament has huge advance sign up compared to some others. Not really many wait until the Captain's meeting. We are getting another tent this year to house the prizes behind the stage so there will be more seating in the main expo area. Last year, we lost a whole row of tables to the prizes. We have to buy the BBQ meals and rent the tents, extra tables and chairs in advance of the Sunday event.

[SpearMax]

Awsome job Tony. The SBO prize table is always something to behold. It is important that we "All Spearos" support the companies that support this tournament.
The sponsors need to see a return for their generous donations, and I need more snorkel keepers. :D
G.R. I could not agree more. All tournaments should be supportive of each other and the sponsors that donate. I try to support tournaments on Spearboard all the time with special forum sections and such. Hey man....You should go ahead and change that "Registered User" on your avatar to "Tournament Junkie!" like we talked about a couple of wees ago. :D

[Sherpa]

I've surely patronized FFD............. "my mail-order shop of choice"....... also,

Spearmax, I just saw the post regarding T shirts... so you don't neccessarily have to
reply to the pm I sent earlier.

thanks,
--Sherpa

[SpearMax]

I've surely patronized FFD............. "my mail-order shop of choice"....... also,

Spearmax, I just saw the post regarding T shirts... so you don't neccessarily have to reply to the pm I sent earlier.

thanks,
--Sherpa

That's Ok Sherpa. I already replied that your two shirts are being mailed now. You should have them in California is 2-3 days. Thanks! :cowboy:

[KEYSKILLER]

nice tony, good work as always

b.

[SpearMax]

Brad, check out prize thread # 2 here:

http://www.spearboard.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44914