Pan Americans

[Sheri]

Just heard from the guys! They just finished the Pan American two-day meet in Higuerote, Venezuela. The US World team (Miguel/Mojarra Guinovart, Harolf Dean, Mikey Hickey, and Hank Juntunen) placed high enough to qualify for a position at Worlds 2008....yay! :thumps:

They only have 25 slots at Worlds, so not all countries can go. They allow 5 countries from the American continent, so based on this meet, the top 5 can go. It was a difficult tournament with few and spooky fish. Mojarra and Mike were sick to their stomachs...told 'em not to drink the water. :lol: These guys worked hard and sacrificed a lot just to get there. Unlike most other countries, these guys have to pay their own way AND miss several days work/pay. Anyway, good for them. Worlds (men and women) will take place at Isla Margarita, Venezuela, on November 2008.

This is the best picture I have. This was at the opening ceremony. From left to right: Hank, Mike, Erick Salado (team doctor), Mojarra, Haro, and Pepin Fernandez (team captain).

[jfjf]

Great News! Congratulations Guys!

[Marco]

You can find much more info here: http://www.pescaloapulmon.com.ve/

[Scott]

oh yeah http://www.pescaloapulmon.com.ve/chicas.php#

and the lineup-

A continuación la posiciones de la primera jornada.

PAIS ---------------- Nombre ------ Punt ----- Punt.

Venezuela -------- Rafael Alcala-- -11595 ----- 100,00
Brasil ---------- Gabriel Barra-- -9770 ----- 84,26
Brasil ---------- Fernando Thoni- -8420 ----- 72,62
Brasil ---------- Paulo Longo---- -8230 ----- 70,98
Chile ----------- Jorge Rodriguez - -6375 ----- 54,98
Chile ----------- Miguel Soto -5090 ----- 43,90
Chile ----------- Franco Bosquez -4785 ----- 41,27
Colombia -------- Freddy Charris -3815 ----- -32,90
Venezuela ------- Robert Baldan -3085 ----- 26,61
Peru ------------ Carlos Fung -1000 ----- -8,62
Peru ------------ Rafael Herrera -2000 ----- -17,25
USA ------------- Mike Hickey -2000 ----- 17,25
USA ------------- Harol Dean -2595 ----- -22,38
Venezuela ------- Jony Reyes -4790 ----- -41,31
Peru ------------ Paolo Corbatto -5000 ----- -43,12
USA ------------- Miguel Guinovart -5000 ----- -43,12
Colombia -------- German Lemaitre -6000 ----- -51,75

[Dave Edlund]

I'm so proud of you guys! I know you worked hard to qualify for the World Spearfishing Championships in November, 2008 in Venezuela. Now you have a year plus to get ready for the big dance and the chance to compete against the top 20 spearfishing teams in the World! I am out of town now, but look forward to hearing the details of the PAN-AM spearfishing qualifier in more details soon!

[DRSALADO]

They worked their behinds off to place at the Pan-Am.
Now on, starts the count down for the worlds.
I feel confident that we can get at the top notches at the worlds.
I feel very proud of the team.
Good Luck

[ApneaSpearo]

congrats, I hope someone can post some stories from the competition when they return to the states. let's hope that team USA can have a strong finish at worlds as well.

[frogman]

Great work guys!
The team is made up of some the top S. Florida divers. This bodes well for the Worlds since it will be similar conditions/fish.
Good luck! :thumps:

[Rinaldo]

Great job !!!
Give hope to many South Floridians !

[Asturven]

Do not worry Guys,

In Margarita there are a lot more fishes than in Higuerote.

Will be a total different scenario too, several isles and a really strong current. You will be getting in and out of the boat all day long.

Congratulations

Ivan

[Sheri]

To summarize, our guys had very little scouting time, viz was less than ten feet the first day, fish were sparce, they weren't used to judging fish size in kilos (that hurt 'em bad), and several were sick. But they're glad they went, and they came home a lot smarter. They kept up a great attitude and are so charged up for next year.

Coincidentally, I was invited to Isla Margarita during the same week. I got to spend time with Pedro Carbonell, Alberto March, and dive with Joseba Kejereta (this year's National champ from Spain). They will be the team for Spain next year. Pedro has won World's 3 times, so he's like the Lance Armstrong of spearfishing. Alberto March has won Worlds before too, and he's known as probably the world's deepest spearo, comfortable at 40 meters (told me at dinner he's been bent eleven times). Joseba is a world traveling social butterfly, taking a sabatical from work to be a spearfishing vagabond, trading fish for shelter in third world countries. Fascinating guys...what an honor that was. (By the way, I was scouting for future Expo speakers, as well as fish...:p)

I can see why it's hard for Americans to win at Worlds. In countries like Spain they are used to spearing in tough conditions (very deep and spooky fish) which breeds great athletes, plus, they are completely sponsored and paid so they can spend a lot of time scouting. They have VERY strong support from their government, sponsors, public, etc. In contrast, the US guys are financially stressed trying to scrape up enough money for a single trip. But.....don't underestimate the underdogs!!!! They are world class divers with a lot of talent and a lot of heart. :thumps:

[Asturven]

Sheri,

In fact that was the second visit of Pedro to Venezuela this year.
I have some pictures of the first one, and after a couple of days they found the "tricks" to fish there.

The main characteristic of Pedro is that he adapts very quickly to the new places, in fact he won the three World Championships in a very different scenarios.

March is just of another World, he is capable to fish all morning in 130 fts with a minimum surface recovery time.

How was everything for you? Did you dive at Los Frailes?

Cheers

Ivan

[Sheri]

Hi Ivan, sorry for trhe slow response. Yes, we did dive at Los Frailes. Have you been there? I thought it would be like Florida. I think it's actually worse than Hawaii for small and spooky fish, and I hardly saw any groupers or snappers. The main fish they like to eat is barracudas (picuas), and they are sooo wary there. I got a big one after stalking them all day long. This kid wanted to hold my cuda for the camera and was bragging on me, saying "la mujer" landed the biggest fish. I guess I scored one for womankind that day. Never thought I would earn such respect by spearing a cuda! :p

All the Venezuelans were super nice, and there's a talented crop of young guys who will give everyone a run for their money at Worlds. I was extra glad that I can speak Spanish, so I could understand all their stories and get to know them and the Spaniards. It's such a small world when you have a common passion like spearfishing. There's a couple of Venezuelan women too who were away at the Pan Americans, and I hear they are real good. Looking forward to meeting all of them. Should be fun.

[keysdiver0106]

Ya you definitely wouldn't get that kinda credit here...Then again I can see hawaiins wishing they could shoot our Parrot fish too. Thats why diving all over is so cool tho!!!

CAN'T WAIT FOR THE EXPO

[arindam.0000]

what a big fish yar like me?or not..

[buck27]

This may be a stupid question but I am new to the sport so here it goes.

How do you get into competitions to begin with? How do you get commercialized? How do you make it big in spearfishing?
send me a message or an email please. vogt.j@hotmail.com

[balla32beau]

sick!

[Pedwid]

I so want this logo of the evolution, but can only find it in really bad resolution, do you know where I can get this?