Key West Open?

[Chad Carney]

Has anyone heard anything about this tournament?

Chad

[diligaf]

Chad,

It’s my understanding Spearboard member Sheri Daye kicked a little ass! If my memory serves me correctly, Sheri finished with the 2nd place hog, 3rd place grouper, and 3rd place snapper; all these results are in the men’s division.

Dave

[keyspearfisher]

The people on the playmate took the most awards or partial awards home. Seems blown glass trophies and nitrogen do not mix. First place over all was a 69 pound AJ. First Grouper 50+. Hog 11#. Snapper? Very rough seas(small craft advisory) and poor vis near shore made it hard work to find fish around Key West.

[Nikki]

When was it?

[Chad Carney]

Here's the results:

Hey Chad,

My name is Norman Vogel, I'm the director of the first annual "Key West Open" spearfish tourn. Ive got all the info and have just finished writing up the rough copy of the article that i would like to submit to spearfishing mag!! In brief, 42 of the most die hard spearos showed up to compete in the not so perfect 20 knot winds 6 foot seas and 5 foot vis!!! heres the skinny on the results

Hogfish.....1st victor yue 11lb, 2nd sheri daye 8.3 lb, 3rd kevin quinn 8lb

grouper....1st stephen rogers 51.8 lb, 2nd calvin moorse 39.6, 3rd sheri daye35.4

snapper....1st chris ward 12.3 ls, 2nd dane karcher 10.0 lb, 3rd sheri daye 7.7 lb

sportfish 1st michael delph 69.6 lb a.j. 2nd dane karcher 42.1 lb a.j. 3rd rick gage 31.7 lb aj

grand champion michael delph, shot that a.j in 191 ft of water on the airplane!!!!

please give me a call at 305-294-2334 the tourn was a huge sucess!!! and 1000.00 dollars went to big brothers and big sisters of the florida keys!!!

quick note ,i'm going to hawks kay on thurs to speak at the meeting about banning hogfish from being speared any info on there habits breeding or population would be a help, thankyou,

Norman Vogel

Congratulations Norman on a great first event! (It was held on Nov 14, 15 & 16.)

Chad Carney

[Spearchucker]

Does Sheri have a job? I have never seen someone be in so many places.

[Spearooo]

her job is making us look bad!!!!!j/k

[Spearooo]

What are you talking about?

[Aimrite]

"Striaghtup" do you know Sheri Daye or
Capt Bob from the Playmate? Sheri was very instrumental this year by rounding up significant divers from the South Florida area to make the trek to Key West, in addition to this she played a large role in contacting several manufactures asking for donations that served that event. Granted the Playmate may have gone to fort but that was with the premission of the tournement director. As far as "cheaters never win" you odviously don't know their personal character. However what you post and say falsely will eventually make up your character!

[Screen Name]

That post has been removed. Straightup is asking for trouble.

[Straightup]

I apoligize Someone was using my computer and did not log their self in. Unfortunatly I did not even read the Reply. I only saw coments directed at me. I am not sure what is worse someone talking smack under my user name or someone judging my character over the internet.

[Straightup]

And no I don't Know Sheri but good for her!

[Screen Name]

Originally posted by Straightup
I apoligize Someone was using my computer and did not log their self in. Unfortunatly I did not even read the Reply. I only saw coments directed at me. I am not sure what is worse someone talking smack under my user name or someone judging my character over the internet.

If you saw the stupid posts, it would be clear what was worse.

[mushkee]

100 miles out in 6 foot seas, at least in paid off...

[kitefisherman]

I do know Sheri. What I think is worst of all is that someone might judge HER character based upon someone talking smack under your username. IMO your character comes secondary under the circumstances.

Nevertheless, let's move on. Enough said - I hope.

Congratulations Sheri on the great finish! Once again you showed everyone what a great competitor you are - regardless of whether you are male or female. Your consistent accomplishments speak for themselves. You don't need anyone here to validate them.

[Straightup]

Believe half of what you see and none of what you read

[fishkilla]

how could someone us your name and you have no idea who it was?

[Straightup]

I KNow who it was. His user Name is dinomite. Please leave me out of it.

[dynomitedane]

Originally posted by Aimrite
"Striaghtup" do you know Sheri Daye or
Capt Bob from the Playmate? Sheri was very instrumental this year by rounding up significant divers from the South Florida area to make the trek to Key West, in addition to this she played a large role in contacting several manufactures asking for donations that served that event. Granted the Playmate may have gone to fort but that was with the premission of the tournement director. As far as "cheaters never win" you odviously don't know their personal character. However what you post and say falsely will eventually make up your character! let me ask you this aimrite if you help with the event and you know the rules but none of the other people know the rules till the captains meeting is that cheating or is that being shady come on give people a chance give the real people a chance to compete fairly many people want to compet in spearfishing but why when the contest are always so shady you are turning people away and why dont you throw up some money for the contest and take away tanks come on bra lets do it keep it real and by the way i was in key west and it seemed to me capt bob was shady it looked to me like he was tring to weight one fish in twice and going to the fort was not the problem it is the shady way you people do things i got beef bra

[Aguaji]

Dude, your English teacher was shady.

[diligaf]

Dyno,

In life, we accomplish more by being pro-active than we do complaining about others. I’ve known Sheri for years, I can tell you there is no other person with a more outstanding character. Her moral character is an example for us all and knowing her has made me a better person. I’ve also had the privilege to meet Rick and Capt. Bob, Rick would give you the shirt off his back to help you out and Capt. Bob is one of the best captains I have ever met and it’s always a pleasure to be on his boat.

I just met Norm the other day. He was at the FWC meeting standing up for OUR spearfishing rights, being pro-active to defend our sport and help all spearfisherman.

Maybe next year, you can volunteer to help Norm promote and put on the tournament. With the positive effort of one more person, the tournament will be even more successful and you will come away with a sense of accomplishment. Good Luck!

[Spearooo]

posting under someone else's name seems even more shady, Personaly I didin't head down there bc of the disparody btwn scuba and free. anyhow I have never heard anything negative about sheri so I think you migth be a tad jealous....
just my 2c

[Griswold]

dyno,

Try to mix in a "." bra

Direct some of that attitude at the guys and girls trying to take away your right to spearfish.

[fishhunta]

i got beef bra

I'm glad you've got beef, cause it seems like you didn't get shit for fish in the tourny.........

[Aimrite]

Dyno,

In reference to the "shady way the world is treating you"! As far as Aimrite Hawaii being one of these shady represenitives of the Key West Open, your right we are guilty! If being a manufacturer that donates more than $1000.00 worth of diving gear with less than a weeks notice to benifit Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Florida Keys is "shady" you caught us red-handed!

Funny thing, when I was a young man if I was ill-prepared and did not perform at my best "I knew it was my fault".

Bottom line was, this was a charity event that was very successful and hopefully we will all be doing the same thing next year. This is a great cause and everyone should do what they can to help.

[rigdvr]

dont waste to much time on this guys, dyno's post speaks for itself. I dont think any of you need to defend against that;)

[keyspearfisher]

That gun that Aimrite donated was a beauty. I laid down my money for charity. Unfortunately I am not in possesion of that gun. Although some of the rules need to be tweeked a bit to level the playing feild; I think for the first try, it was a nice event

[Sheri]

Dane,

I am really trying to understand your feelings about something "shady" going on with the Key West Open.

Just so you know, my trip on the Playmate was booked months in advance of this tournament. However, when Norm called and asked me to attend, I committed to do so, and I offered to help recruit people and merchandise. I admired that Norm was taking this on for a good cause, and I have a soft spot for disadvantaged kids. I was almost embarrassed to ask Wong/Aimrite to give more merchandise, because they have already given so much from previous requests, but they came through as usual, no questions asked.

Since our trip was booked to leave one day earlier, we asked Norm if that was OK, and we told him we would only turn in fish from Sat/Sun....the same time as the tournament days. I do feel bad that most of the competitors had to deal with the extra green water that was closer in, especially my buddies from the South Florida Spearfishing Club....they were great sports. We did have nice blue water in the Tortugas on Saturday, but we did experience that awful green water in the Marquesas on Sunday. We also had BIG 5-8' seas out there, and I still have some bad bruises from trying to catch the ladder between waves. We also went airborne several times while trying to sleep at night on our way back.....you can imagine.

Anyway, I'm sure you are a better diver/hunter than me, Dane. I would gladly send you my trophies if that will make you happier. Bottom line is that everybody that went out deserves credit, and thank God everybody came home safe. Also, thank God that we have people like Norm in this world who DO THINGS for people in need, instead of always thinking about themselves.

I know you are a talented young man, with your whole life ahead of you. As an experienced older person, if I may give you a bit of advice....get a good education, spend your time on healthy activities, and learn that the meaning of life is in giving to other people. As some of the guys on this forum are saying, focus on the positive and be proactive. In the grand scheme of things, trophies and titles don't mean shit. The goal of this tournament was to make some money for kids in need, not to boost your or my ego.

Along the spirit of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, I have observed that there isn't much mentorship in the way of spearfishing. I am offering myself up to help any young kids (especially young girls) that might want some help, and I challenge you to do the same....in a Big Brother sort of way. I bet you'd be awesome at it.

[mushkee]

you can mentor me spearfishing anyday, im still a young kid (17)...

[Straightup]

k

[rigdvr]

graceful as always...:cool:

[LASeaCat]

Rigdvr and others,

Is Dinomitedane the same high school drop out that went off on me? If not, it's his brother.

I don't know a lot of the folks in the St. Pete and surrounding areas that well, however I did get to meet many during my stay in St. Pete for the SPUC St. Pete Open. (Thanks Chad and Triche) All were very friending, honest, fun loving (almost like Hell Divers) and working towards a good cause. I got to meet Sheri and Rick and both are fine individuals whose character should never be questioned!

Oh....... Dino, please spell check for me!

[normanhghntr]

Hey, Norman here the tournament director for the Key West Open. I wanted to drop a note to clear a few things up!

#1. Rick, Daryl and Sheri busted thier buts to get some great prizes with almost no notice which helped to raise $1000.00 for a great charity.

#2. no one tried to weigh in more than one fish.

#3. Capt Bob did a great job getting people to sign up for this event, and was in full understanding and compliance of ALL the tourn rules.

#4. this tourn was designed to be fun, raise some much needed money for charity, and support the groth of a sport we all love.
we accomplished all of these things, and thank all our sponcers for pulling this off.

After evaluating our "FIRST" tournament, we know some of the rules need to be tweeked, any good ideas on how we can make it better please give me a shout! 305-294-2334. thanks to all of you diehard spearos who braved the not so perferct conditions, and brought in some great fish!!!!

on another note, for the love of god Dane just ask her out!!

[Straightup]

I think you all have missed the point. I was also at the tournement in Key West. I talked to many Locals and other people from around Florida. There were many divers that were disappointed with the boat that went to the fort. A DAY EARLY! It was not just Dynomite.
I am glad to see Spearfishing contest that are for charity.
But at the same time many people would like to see the sport grow. How can this sport grow if there is no integrity in the Contest. I am Sure many of the other divers would also have taken advantage of a one day head start! If they would have known it was an option.
Dynomite is not the bad guy. He is only expressing the point of veiw which I heard from many other people " In his own dynomite way".
Perhaps you should all ask yourself this question: Is it OK for one boat to leave early without the others Knowing?

PS I Also saw some kids that probably would have taken trophies home in the hogfish if it was not for the boat that went to the fort.
Hows that for big Brothers and big Sisters doing the right thing.

[Straightup]

Aside from the fort boat. The tournament was great. Norman did a great job. I look forward to next year.

[normanhghntr]

Hey Straightup, thaks for the coments, im glad you had a great time at the tourn!! I know Dane is not the bad guy we were really happy that he and his team came down here to support us, and thanks to them and Ditmar Biller for helping us out! as for the fort issue we have allready decided on a mandatory capt meating for next year and put in a request for 80 ft vis calm seas and no wind!!! thanks any other ideas send them!!!

[dynomitedane]

Thanks to Norman and John for all of your hardwork putting on the tournament...and I was very stoked to compete in it and look forward to future tournaments. Congrats to everyone that competed!

Norman: I would like to donate $2500 for first prize and trophies 1-10th place, and also get sponsors and televise it, if you will throw the "World Freedive Spearfishing Championship" in June or July 2004.
PS Thanks, again. You guys did a great job!

[Chad Carney]

Well, I'm glad to finally see everyone involved in this fiasco beginning to realize that nobody was out to take advantage of anyone else!

Had it not been for a charter commitment, I would have been down there for it. (That might have been really interesting since many of the divers involved are new and old friends.)

Dane placed second in snapper & 2nd in sportfish with a big AJ, others did well also in terrible conditions. The Playmate divers got their butts beat on the long run and put many nice fish on the boards in compliance of the tournament directors. How can you find fault with organizers who give it their all in horrible weather and still pull off a great event?

There is no perfect tournament, but for the first time out of the gate, in late season, this one was something special. Largely because of the hard work of Norman Vogel and his crew and the eager participation of the 42 men and women spearfishers in it. And it benefited a worthy cause as well...very rare indeed.

Many tournaments with more than 30 years behind them are still struggling with the rules, safety issues and details that make it all happen... or not!

In the very near future the participation in spearfishing tournaments is likely to go through the roof!
Not since 50 years ago has publicity begun to focus on the sport like it is now. Magazines, newspapers and unique internet websites are the driving forces. The organizers of tournaments and rodeos are beginning to communicate and benefit from each others experiences. Sponsors are flocking to the events and entrants are starting to follow the competitions across broader parts of the country, shooting with many different diving and equipment styles.

Hold on to your masks because the water is really going to heat up!

Chad Carney

[normanhghntr]

Chad, Thanks for the great letter!! Hope you can make next year, I'll see you at the St. Pete Open, and a few other great events coming up!!