1st. Annual Costa Rica Blue Water Hunting Open

[virgili]

The 1st. Annual Costa Rica Blue Water Hunting Open will be held at Samara Beach/ Nicoya, on 19-23 January, 2009.

As organizer, I have been doing my best in order to offer to the participants the best competing conditions:

- January is the dry season, so that the sea is very calm, weather sunny and hot/ blue water guaranteed.
- The fishing zone (about 100 x 30 miles! ) is located in one of the best fishing area in the Central America Pacific Coast and January is the very high season for great pelagics.
- We will use sportfishing boats ( no panga! ) guided by well experienced Cpt. who know the place like the back of their hands.
- Lodging is located on the beach at hundred feet of the dock/ weigh-in station and in the best Samara resort.
- The prizes should be equal to the Open level…

By visiting the CR BWH Open 2009 website, you would get the whole INFO : prizes, rules, transportation, lodging, registering…

http://www.subaquavideo.com/costarica.html

This first individual tournament is limited to 20 divers + 2 guest divers and should gather spearos from the Blue Planet : U.S.A., South Africa, Australia…
At last two TOP blue water hunters will do us the honor of coming as Guest Divers and of taking part to the Open :
Sheri Daye Roberto Reyes

The open is also a social meeting : so we’ll try to live « Pura Vida » and the diver’s families/ friends are very welcome.
A pretty stimulating challenge ahead!
Clear water and dive safe!

Philippe Virgili

http://www.spearfishingmotion.com/index.html?lang=en


« To protect is also to know and to share! »

[bombard666]

I just down loaded the info and it will be sent to you soon......

[DABEER]

I hear about tons of these tournaments being invitational not that i think i could afford a trip like this but how do you get invited to these? is it a who you know thing?

[virgili]

get invited to these
By keeping in touch with me and by registering, if you are interested.

The CR BWH Open is not a sports club's members meeting! But a BW tournament widely opened to all motivated spearos...
Some eperienced colleagues/ friends contacted before I make this public, are now "in" and their feedback is enthusiastic enough to keep on working on this challenge.
Thank,s for your pertinent remarks and welcome aboard!

[GUNNY]

Ryan I would be interested in that.

[DABEER]

COOL i just wish i had enough money to go more places

[ROBERTO REYES]

Dabeer
Am Inviting You
;-)

[virgili]

It often needs to travel to far countries to diversify a blue water hunting practice... and it's not that easy for young spearos.

As organizer i plan to offer for the 2nd CR BWHO, held in Dec 2009 or Jan 2010, a burse to a young spearo.

Nominees should be 16- 22 year old.
The spearfishing back ground illustrated with pics and/ or video is the main record to apply.
The burse consist in a free registering to the 2nd Open (about $2000 U.S.) and a $500 US. cash as a help for the flight.
Spearboard forum seems to me to be the right international place to gather nominees.
I'll ask to the Sheri and Roberto, if they would be interested in taking part to the comittee.

[Wilddiver]

Just so y'all know...Team IF&SN/Pelaj from the recently blown-out Cape Town Tuna event are "in" for Costa Rica. Hope to see a few more of the guys who were in the Cape at this event too...

[virgili]

Here the OPEN RULES:

1st annual Costa Rica Blue Water Hunting
Open 2009 Rules.

1- Date & Duration of open:

The Open will be held over 5 days from Monday 19th to Friday 23th of January, 2009.
Ther will be a divers / captain’s meeting for all participants on Sunday 18th at 6 pm.

2- Diving rules/ Equipment:

General diving rules refer to :

http://www.freedive.net/ibsrc/

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

Specific Open rules :
Chum/ burley can be used by the divers.
Flasher are permitted.
Powerheads are forbidden.
An individual fishing licence is mandatory. The licence will be provided by the organizer.

3- Locality/ Transportation:

The fishing area will cover the offshore waters from Nosara to Cabo Blanco ( Nicoya Province ) . The offshore boundary is about 40 miles off the coast.
The boats will be leaving Samara Beach no sooner than 7:30am every morning and will be back at 3:30pm.
A lottery will be held to allocate each diver team to a boat on a daily basis.
All the participants must report back to the weigh in station at Samara Beach by 4:30pm.

4- Specie list/ Scoring systems:

The open will solely aim at pelagic fish generally found in the « blue water » and at less than 70 feet depth.

Eligible fish will be :

-Dolphinfish ( Dorado )/ Coryphena hippurus.

-Wahoo ( Guaho )/ Achantocybium solanderi.

-Sailfish ( Pez vela )/ Istiophorus platyperus.

-Black marlin ( Marlin negro )/ Makaira indica.

-Blue marlin ( Marlin azul )/ Makaira nigricans.

-White marlin ( Marlin blanco )/ Tetrapterus albidus.

-Stripped marlin ( Marlin rayado )/ Tetrapturus audax.

-Yellowfin tuna ( Atun aleta amarillo )/ Thunnus albacores.

-Bigeye tuna ( Atun oro grande )/ Thunnus obesus.

-Skipjack tuna ( Barrilette )/ Katsuwonus pelamis.

-Siera mackerel ( Cero )/ Scomberomus sierra.

-Spanish mackerel ( Sierra espanol )/ Scomberomus maculatus.

Fish taken during the Open become the property of the captains. On the last day fish may be used by the participants to dispose of as they wish ( take the fish for home freezing ).
All Scoring is on an individual basis.
Competitors are not to shoot more than 6 fish per day and more than 1 billfish per Open.
A maximum of 7 fish per competitor is allowed to be recorded over the duration of the Open and a maximum of 2 fish per species.
No upgrading : once a participant has recorded 2 fish of a species, he cannot record a fish of that species.
All eligible fish must be weighet and mesured each day at the certified scales wich will be at the headquarters.
Divers who do not make weigh in time at 4:30 pm. that particular day will no count for that particular day nor the following day.
Each fish count 1 point per pound.
There is not any min/ max weight or length.
Scores will be tabulated at hte rate of 1 point per pound ( lbs ), or percentage of, to hte closest .01lb.
In the event of a tied place, the participant with the largest fish recorded breaks the tied place.

The organizer ask for all participants understanding and cooperation by promoting a correct and conservative attitude.

5- Liability:

All participants must be insured by a recognized Insurance Policy for death and injury due to the obvious hazards involved in the sport of freediving and spearfishing.
The organizer recommend DAN insurance :

http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/index.asp

The participant will exempt and relieve the Open organizer Philippe Virgili, spearfishingmotion.com, the sponsors, the assistants, the charter boat services and crew, agents or representatives from liability for personal injury, property damage or wrongful death caused by negligence or for ny other reason.
By signing the application and the liability waiver, the participant will confirm that they have read and understoodthe rules of the Open and will asume the risk of personal injury, property damage or wronful death upon themselves.

6- Prizes:

First place : $3,000 U.S. ( A trophy is dedicated to the annual Open champion ).
Second place : $1,500 U.S.
Third Place : $500 U.S.
Greatest fish : $500 U.S.
Freediving/ spearfishing equipment will be distributed to the other competitors by sponsors.

An award banquet will be held for all participants, boat captains and officials at the headquarter on the night of the 23th of January, 2009 ( dress is informal ).

7-Open 2009 video:

A video will be edited by the organizer and one copy given to each participant. The video will be protected by copyright and only copies used for family/ private purposes of the participant are authorized. Any collective usage, reproduction and/or distribution conducted without prior authorization from the organizer is prohibited.

8- Registration:

Total cost is $1,950 U.S. per participant.
The cost includes:

-5 days sportfishing boat rental ( 8 hours per day )
- Welcome reception and divers/ captains meeting.
-6 nights full board : lodging is located very close to the beach / dock/ headquarter. Each diver is provided with an air-conditioned double occupancy bedroom/ bathroom in an hotel. Breakfast at the hotel. Lunch on the boat and dinner at a restaurant.
-One T-shirt, cap, edited video of the Open.
-Award banquet.
-Prizes…

All applicants must submit:
-an application form.
-a liability disclaimer.

Prior to being accepted for participation to the Open.
This can be download from the website and filled out.
The application/ liability disclaimer must be received from applicant prior to November1st 2008.
Once accepted (confirmation will be sent by mail ), the applicant has to send a $950 U.S. check or money order to
Virgili cp. Inc :
Virgili cp. Inc
102 Av des Ormes
Edmundston N.B.
E3V 4J9 Canada

The balance of $1,000 U.S. must be received prior to the1st November, 2008.

8- Cancellation Policy:

In the event of the entire cancellation of the Open by the organizer, all fees received for entries will be refund to the applicants.
Cancellations must be done by applicants by mail.

Cancellation fees:

After the 1st November, 2008: No refund. All fees are non refundable, not negotiable and not transferable.
Prior to the 1st November 2008 : 80% refundable.

9-Protests:

Protests may be registered by any contestant, official or event organizer.
Protests must be registered in writting to the event organization within 2 hours of the end of each day’s fishing. It must be dated and carry the name and signature of the person protesting.
A jury will be composed of one of the 2 guest divers, 2 participants, the event organizer, one captain. Any contestant who is the subject of protest or presents protest must be excluded from the jury in that case.
In the case of exceptional circumstances for wich no provision has been made in the Rules, the jury may, on protest from the participant concerned, use it’s discretion to lift a disqualification and impose a different penalty.


10-Confidentiality:

With a view to better protecting personal data the Open 2009, organizer informs you of the practices used on the site for handling data which is gathered and processed.
We use information regarding participants, exclusively to communicate with them regarding registering and to respond to their request for support or information.
The organizer do not use, nor share any private identifiable participant information which is provided on-line.
The organizer will not, without your authorization, sell or lease any information which is provided on line and personally identifiable regarding yourself or your firm, to any third party.
With a view to maximizing the protection of information, the Open 2009 website uses reliable technology in the field of security in order to prevent such data from being used in a wrongful manner or from being modified by unauthorized third parties.

11-Information:

For any further questions regarding the 1st Costa Rica Blue water Hunting rules, please do not hesitate to contact us at:
info@spearfishingmotion.com
subject : CR BWHO 2009

[virgili]

I'm very pleased to inform you that Tommy Botha, the legendary spearo from South Africa, will take part to the Open as a third guest diver...
About two third of the 20 divers are "in" and you are very welcome.
Best regards, Philippe Virgili

http://www.subaquavideo.com/costarica

[SpearMax]

I'm very pleased to inform you that Tommy Botha, the legendary spearo from South Africa, will take part to the Open as a third guest diver...
About two third of the 20 divers are "in" and you are very welcome.
Best regards, Philippe Virgili

http://www.subaquavideo.com/costarica

Sounds great Philippe! Good news about Tommy, Sheri and Roberto!

[virgili]

Good news about Tommy, Sheri and Roberto!
and... Daryl Wong who will do a top team with Sheri!!

[Wilddiver]

bump...watch for new sponsor info!

[Wilddiver]

I understand that the organisers of the Cape Town Yellowfin Tuna Blue Water Open have offered a reciprocal prize to the winner of this Costa Rica comp - the winner of Costa Rica gains free entry to the Cape Town event, and vice versa.

Rabitech are also keen to join the sponsors list...so if you are not there you'll miss out!

[LA Diver]

Yall can count me in for this one.

[scubadown16]

I have a question.... How many divers are you planning on putting in each boat??? Thanks

James Hardesty

[virgili]

How many divers are you planning on putting in each boat???

Hi James,
good to hear from you!
We will use only sportfishing boats (CPT+skipper): 6 boats for
20 divers + 3 guest divers (I obviously do not take part to the meet as competitor)
R. Bombard (from C.R.) and his 2 colleagues will use his own boat.
6 month before the Open, about 15 divers registered and many more declared themselves ready to be "in".
Divers registered come from the East/ West/ South US Coast, South Africa, Mexico, C.R....Among divers "in", are spearos from Brasil, Australia...

The best way to guarantee your participation is by registering!!

I have been getting in convincing colleagues from Europe (Italy, France, Spain..): they get intimidated by the competitor standart!;)
With all due modesty, I take the opportunity to recall how important is the social chapter during this Open: sharing with spearos from all the Blue Planet and with 3 (top) guest divers...
A pic of a local sportfishing boat.

[kill em all]

The billfish on the menu might cause an uproar over there

[Wilddiver]

Rather pelagic billfish than resident bottom fish...

[virgili]

These interesting points of view give me the opportunity to share good news:
Several sponsors will support the Open and the first involved are listed in the sponsors section:
http://www.subaquavideo.com/sponsors.html

So that all the paricipants will get freediving / spearfishing equipment and pretty nice guns in particular!:cool:

The billfish on the menu might cause an uproar over there

Thank's for your experienced feedback.

I have probably to remind again, that as a Costa Rica foreigner I could not plan, work and organize such an international meeting without a strong/ reliable support from the local (pro) fishermen and authorities.
The 1st annual CR BWHO 09 is under control and the best requirements will be combined (weather, fish, boats, lodging...)
The Cpt, native from the place, who will be in charge of he other Cpt, was really surprised and amused when I told him recently some diver,s concerns.
The difference thinking make the debate stimulating...
Billfish capture (only one per diver during the Open ) is tipically a plus of this blue water hunting tournament, as well as it would be organized in Mexico or in an other country were billfish captures are allowed.
As is the case with Costa Rica waters.
Welcome aboard, there are a few spots left!
"Pura Vida":beer:

[tmaas]

Philippe,
I have been reading about your meet with interest. A few of my friends have asked me to comment. Having hosted the first two La Paz Blue Water meets for the IBSRC,
I know the work you are putting into this project and I applauded that effort.
When we considered the species list for the La Paz, Mexico area, we too struggled with the billfish inclusion. In the end, we elected to keep them included.
You might want to reconsider the Costa Rica venue. You have made a good choice by keeping the meet away from the big marinas, however, there is incredible money in bill-fishing and much of it goes to Costa Rica. Costa Rica traditionally, has a large percentage of game reserves and many residents are conservation minded. If I were you, I’d consider eliminating bill fish from the venue. The same Internet information that you use to promote the meet might come back to haunt you and us later. If you want an idea of how many fishermen hate us, check out Bloodydecks.com and search for divers.
While I’m pleased that you are using IBSRC rules, you should know that we are opposed to trolling lures to bring up bill fish for a fish-in-a-barrel shoot. I’ve lured them up many times for photo opportunities. A usually wary fish becomes very dumb in these circumstances and this kind of “hunting” is so easy that it is deplorable in my mind. One sure way to alienate the fishermen of the world is to show them this method.
You might say that we have equal rights, and I’d agree. However, we live in a political world with very few numbers of “ spearfishing voters.” We are an expendable and visible minority. One of the ways we divers protect our rights is by piggy backing on the strength and numbers of fishermen. Why risk alienating them?
One last point made about marlin dying after being hooked. My friend Michael Domeier Phd. has studied this question extensively and finds that most bill fish taken with modern lures and hooks survive. It is the live-bait, gut-hooked fish that die routinely.
These are my opinions only. You have some great divers attending and a wonderful spot in the world for blue water fish.
Good Luck!

[virgili]

Terry,
first thank's for sharing your experienced and essential blue water hunting opinion.
Your feedback is as usual pretty stimulating!.
IBSRC The Open rules refer to IBSRC and IUSA. As organizer they must be applied without any restriction/ exception to the Open.

incredible money/ minority One says that it is estimated 44 million American fish for sport, anglers spend upwards of $41 billion dollars yearly on fishing and they generate over $116 billion dollars in associated economic activities... they are about 18 million certified scuba divers in USA and they spend $$$: you'r absolutely right if you remind us how (US) freedivers spearos make a kind of "minority". I was probably less conviced by that kind of argument because of the fact I'm a Med Sea (Italy, France) native, were there are several hundred thousands spearos in each top spearfishing country and were relationships spearos- fishermen-scuba divers are less tense.

Trolling "or not trolling". This technic debate has been popping up again and again since I made the things public. The Open will gather divers from different countries and I got so different feedback from them (positive/ negative)... this is the main reason why I have been leaving the debate open until today.
My first intention was to close the debate during the Cpt- divers meeting in Jan 2009, debate wich be held before the tournament and to accept the divers majority wishes.
My decision today is to ban trolling during the whole Open... and it will probably do some withdraw, but I take it upon myself to do that.

Billfish There are not any banning of billfish spearfishing in Costa Rica waters, as well as in Mexico waters. One fish per diver for the 5 days hunting seems to me a "conservative" approach". Is a zero fish the best conservative approach? (There's a wise saying that goes: "the best is the good ennemy")

Marlin dying I was told that bout 20 million fish are caught and released in the USA every year. There are a lot of studies about catch and release effectiveness and mortality: the hook type "J" or circle hook++, degree of exhaustion/ degree of physiological strees suffered++, time spent out of water, bait type, landing technic, method of release... different parameters wich have probably to be improved. Mortality is from 2% to 30% !! (fish are more often eaten by sharks).
The best scientific spearo contribution should be by tagging: spearfishing =release and catch...isn't it?

A wonderful spot Pura Vida!

[tmaas]

Philippe,
Thank you for your thoughtful and reasoned response. Unfortunately, in Politics as in Advertising, the emotional appeal usually far outweighs the scientific facts.
Again, good luck with your meet.
Terry

[blueh2oboy]

Phillipe it looks like you are taking a step in the right direction by taking the trolling out of the tourney but honestly you are still missing the point that I feel we are trying to make.

Whether or not we are justified in taking Billfish for our .001 percent of the entire worlds harvest per year or not is far from the issue. The real issue is that because we as Spearfisherman represent about .001 of the say in Fishing throughout the world we need to tread lightly and watch out for the future of our sport. .

There is a reason no one has started a spearfishing tournament in Costa Rica despite it being probably the #1 chance in the world to shoot billfish.

It is not surprising that a few local captains in a remote area are interested in having 6 full charters for multiple days. That money may represent the single most lucrative week of their year and money is hard to turn down no matter who or where you are.

You should try Pinas Bay, Los Suenos, Golfito, Quepos, Tamarindo, or Flamingo and see how the idea sounds. If there is any doubt as to the results take a look at anything on line about our esteemed representative in Panama a few years ago Robert Arrington when he speared a Marlin there.

There are plenty of species to pursue in Costa Rica and for the most part 75% of the divers probably haven't ever even been in the water with most of them so they and even the old salts will be delighted to hunt all the other pelagics.

I am all for the killing of Billfish. I think it is one of the most exciting and challenging aspects of our sport.

There is however a time and place. And what I think doesn't matter one bit to the rest of the fishing world or the people who have influence over the Rules and Regulations in foreign countries.

Tevoro Vula Vula

[virgili]

Cameron,
thank's for sharing again your opinion.

you are taking a step in the right direction

The debate is taking a step in a right direction: so that a "trouble spot" Open rule (trolling/ watever the fish) get clarified. As organiser/ spokesman, I would like to thank all the spearos who contribute, so that from now the things are more clear. Terry arguments were conclusive. More clear in particular for the registered divers who have been sending me for weeks positive/ negative feedback about this fishing technic.
Does the "right direction" refer to individual concerns or to an international blue water hunting charter?
Or is there somewhere on a Blue Planet, a spearo who is thinking to be the intellectual guide in blue water hunting or to be a kind of spearo community savior?
With all due modesty, I'm very glad that Open registerd divers will get fun in hunting in the best conditions and according to consensual rules.
"Billfish or not billfish" debate, has in my opinion to be left open without helding Costa Rica Open participants hostage.

no one has started a spearfishing tournament in Costa Rica

Does it mean that guys who did nothing were right and that from now on, woever organize something there would be doomed, sentenced to hell? Demonized?

money

You'r right in evoking how this kind of event generate money to the local economic activities, but you'r wrong in suggesting that money is the main crews motivation. They are very keen/ glad to take part as if it would be a challenge, because they like fishing.
As a Costa Rica foreigner I could not plan anything if I did not first take friendly interest to the local pro and their families. Authentic support has nothing to do with money. I have to say that one of the Cpt first suggested me to organize a competition, then this idea has gained ground...

Panama

I do'nt undersatnd the link made between a hint to a diver who broke the Panama law and those who will be in Costa Rica in January.:confused:

Cameron, you'r obviously very welcome as a guest diver to the 2nd CR BWHO edition. I did not change my mind.
But I wish we could as often as it is possible, to discuss in doing the difference between value judgment ( Virgili is fueling a "kingdom of fishermen fear" ) and concrete evidence judgment ( Cameron "is all for the killing of billfish" ).
Pura Vida.:beer:

[scubadown16]

I find this argument to be one of particular interest for me personally. As a three time La Paz World Cup competitor I can speak personally on the reaction of taking of bill fish from the captains perspective. They are just as excited to see them come in via spear as they are hook and line. I personally think that the taking of any bill fish is in NO WAY going to affect anything in Costa Rica or anywhere else for that. One other question. Why is it that we as Americans have to set the rules for other contries? I hear Cameron's and Terry's point about it being used to harm our spearfishing rights. But is the taking of a bill fish any more detrimental then the taking of any other fish? Each country determines what is legal and what is not. I am under the impression that taking of bill fish is legal in Costa Rica. With that said. Why not let it be. 20 to 25 bill fish is not going to make an impact on anything. My last argument would be. Is the taking of bill fish in Costa Rica in an area with very little exposure as bad as publicly displaying bill fish brought in to a Marina like the ones brought into South Carolina resently during a Bill Fishing Tournament??? I mean displaying a 1400 pound marlin at the dock to me is going to cause more problems then a spearfishing tournament half a world away.

With that being said I think the bigger problem of having more then two spearos per boat is a much bigger problem and one that needs to be addressed... From my research. Blue water hunting in Costa Rica is usually a boat driving around looking for birds, spinner dolphines, and floatsomes. Now when these things come up. I think putting Four divers who are all competing against each other in such a confined space is going to cause some problems. Two divers is easy to manage. Usually they are paired up based on ability,diving style, and similar factors. How can a boat driver really take care of four divers in the water. For one. And for Two, how can the mate really take care of that much equipment as well as keeping float lines and gear from becoming a cluster FU*K as divers bail in to dive on fish. If this was a team tournament it would be different. Because you could all switch off who gets in. The Tuna are going to be moving so its going to be a lot of in and out of the boats. I think that this whole three to four divers per boat needs to be looked at.

James Hardesty

[blueh2oboy]

20 to 25 bill fish is not going to make an impact on anything. James Hardesty


James,
In La Paz with the local Pangero's, 75% of the billfish caught there are taken to the dock. the only thing that keeps them from taking every one in is the Majority of foreign fisherman visiting push the catch and release. That is by no means the norm for the world and the main reason we hold a spearfishing tournament there. the Pangero's want to kill the billfish for food.

In Costa rica, 99% of billfish are released.
This has not always been the case but when hundreds of millions of dollars a year are pumped into the economy they make some changes and adapt.

Honestly with the quote above alone I can say I give up. No offense James but that is extremely naieve.

Phllippe.... best of luck. We have said our piece and tried not to look like hypocritic A$$holes and offer the knowledge of hundreds of top bluewater hunters and Fisherman from around the world that we have gained in our travels.

This is a total judgement call on your part. I'm done argueing a point that is not being fathomed.

Best of Luck.

CK

[Tedbudion]

I've some experience in organizing spearfishing meets, so humbly allow me to express my opinion.

I'm a Med Sea (Italy, France) native, were there are several hundred thousands spearos in each top spearfishing country and were relationships spearos- fishermen-scuba divers are less tense.

Apparenly you aren't aware of what have been going on over there. Relationships are very tense to say the least and for quite some time too. Just three examples: 1) the 1992 Worlds, in Spain--where spearfishing still has a lot of clout--had its venue transfered from Cadaqués (Catalunya) to Porto Cristo (Baleares) due to political pressure from German scuba diving groups; 2) Earlier this year, the CMAS-affiliated French spor diving governing body, FFESSM, abandoned spearfishing competitions, so far no problem, the recently founded FNPSA took over; then FFESSM started to lobby a competition ban altogether, the proverbial crap is still being spread from the fan as I write this. 3) In the proposed EU's Council Regulation concerning the preservation of fisheries resources in the North Atlantic, article 12, "Destructive fishing practices", states "... The catching, retention on board, .. sale of marine organisms caught using methods incorporating the use of explosives, poisonous or stupefying substances, electric current or any kind of projectile shall be prohibited.". (my highlight). Can you guess who is behind those four very insidious words buried in 25 pages of bureaucratic mumbojumbo? Some say it's directed to tuna and swordfish harpooning. Should we trust them? If it passes, all EU will have to comply, this could mean no spearfishing from Portugal to Norway, if taken by the letter.

As for the billfish issue, I agree with Terry in regards of the eligibility of marlin and sailfish in your meet. IMHO, you should reconsider it. You're right that, statistically, we don't even make an infinitesimal dent in the billfish population. But why alienate the very charter boat skippers that serve us? And I'm not talking about Costa Rica only. Those guys belong to a close knit community. Trust me, they will all hear about it, if they haven't already. It's like shooting jewfish (goliath grouper) in meets where it's still allowed (in Brazil, we've made jewfish ineligible 11 years before the official moratorium, now in place). What for? It would satisfy a small bunch and piss off a lot of people. It's a case where cons outweigh the pros. If one wants to shoot billfish privately, fine, I do (better, I try to...), but publicly and advertise it when all meets are releasing them, it's bad politics. And the possible fall-out will hit us all, not only you.

As for the trolling lures, I disagree in principle with Terry, but respect his opinion. Billfish aren't necessarily dumb when chasing a lure. Rather they and any other fish are very focused as they'd be when attracted by a flasher, burley (chum) or even a FAD for that matter. IMHO, they're all the same: artificial ruses to attract and distract our target. Therefore, we should accept or ban them altogether.

[scubadown16]

James,
That is by no means the norm for the world and the main reason we hold a spearfishing tournament there. the Pangero's want to kill the billfish for food.

In Costa rica, 99% of billfish are released.
This has not always been the case but when hundreds of millions of dollars a year are pumped into the economy they make some changes and adapt.

Honestly with the quote above alone I can say I give up. No offense James but that is extremely naieve.



CK

Cameron,
I don't take any offense. Everyone is entitled to their oppinion even you...:lol: Its not naieve its just my opinion. I won't even be attending this tournament. But I feel that allowing one bill per competitor is not going to change the course of the world.

On another note. I will correct you on your statement. It is not the MAIN reason Dennis Haussler holds his tournemant in that area. In fact only 4 bill fish have been brought in over the three years he has run the World Cup. So 6% of all the competitors over the three years have taken a bill fish. Hardly a reason to hold a compition there. Don't you think. Its held there because the infrastructer is there. Boats, captains,lodging,fish,and so on. So if your going to call someone naieve. Becarefull not to throw stones in glass houses. I respect your spearfishing ability. I know you do a lot for our sport. For that I thank you.

James Hardesty

[Not Nate]

Its not naieve its just my opinion. I won't even be attending this tournament. But I feel that allowing one bill per competitor is not going to change the course of the world.

James Hardesty

Maybe it's your opinion that makes you look naieve.

You've got Terry, Ted, and Cam (the rookie in that group) voicing an opinion based on real life experience from all over the world that maybe the organizer should reconsider allwoing bill fish.

While you've entitled to your opinion after having done three trips in three years to a single place, La Paz, it would be a good idea to sit back and think a little bit on why these guys are all saying any bill fish taken could be a bad idea.

It looks to me that those three guys are saying that ANY bill fish killed by spearfishermen at a tourney down there IS going to change the course of the world as it pertains to spearfishing in that country.

But that's just my opinion and I've never even entered a blue water competition out of the country.

[Bañados]

Philippe,

My name is Erik, my wife and I recently got back from visiting my Costa Rican relatives and family living there. Went there to celebrate our first anniversary and offcourse I took all my gear just in case.

We had torrential rains everyday (Rainy season) I really enjoyed! since it nevers rains in Southern California.

I spent two weeks during my stay getting to know the local fisherman and the diving and fishing operators all the way from Jaco in Central Costa Rica to the Panamanian Border. I met great captains with 20-30 yrs experience fishing Costa Rican Pacific and Atlantic waters. The fishing community there is very tight and are very well networked.

We shared some great fishing stories and had some extensive conversations while drinking cofee. Many of our conversations were about large game fishing including bill fishing like Marlin and how the Costa Ricans feels about Americans and other Foreigners about Spearfishing Bill Fish there.

Pretty much all the Captains opposed killing of Bill fish in their Territorial Waters. They practice only catch and release. They have made Bill fishing also a ecoturism activity. They feel that killing bill fish will endangered their bill fishery and will keep away the fisherman from going there. Majority of Anglers spent an average of $4000 -$8000 per trip in Costa Rica.


I have an article on research on Bill fishing in Costa Rica done by Texas AM University, is very interesting, I hope you guys can read it.

http://lutra.tamu.edu/hdlab/Projects/p40.htm


Costa Rica receives the vast majority of their Revenue from Tourism. The Majority of Tourist visit their Country to admire nature at its best, unspoiled and untouched. Costa Rica compared to the rest of the Americas, has the largest network of Parks and Reserves set aside for preservation and conservation including a large network of Marine Parks Fish Reserves.

Costa Rica is a young Country in the process of development, Costa Rica is the atmost front of Conservation of Natural resources and the Legislators have not taken the chance yet to pass laws regarding the banning of Spearfishing in their territory.

I hope you can reconsider and remove Bill fish from the tournament. Like some people already said, the fishing community in Costa Rica is very close network and most people know each other.

There is going to be a lot of upset and angry people including the Locals and many hard core Super Rich American Anglers that live there with plenty of cash to spend that will make sure they banned it there. in addition to all the well funded organizations that support Catch and release of bill fish.

If they find out about your event, currently listed on the top 20 on google, All they need is to make a formal proposal to the Costa Rican Institute of fishing (INCOPESCA) along with the evidence to pass laws that will make spearfishing illegal in Costa Rica.

Also for your information, Costa Rica does have Fish and game laws, that includes bag limit, size limits and species that are allowed to be taken via Sportfishing. All regulated by INCOPESCA.

Again I hope you can reconsider and remove Bill fish from the Tournament.

These are only my opinions.

[virgili]

Yesterday I rewed the situation with the Captain in charge of the other sporfishingboat crews and told him the feedback/ feeling we got about billfish captures...
He told me that since the last months Costa Rica Fisheries authorities are planning to protect definitively billfish specie in the Costa Rica waters...
He suggested me first to limit the captures to 5 sfish or marlins for the whole 5 days tournament, but I make the decision to ban marlin and sailfish of the Open eligible fish list.
Even though the Open wil be held in an isolated place and there are not any reg about spearfishing in CR, the Open is annual and we have to long term plan.
I will change the rules on the website rule section.
http://www.subaquavideo.com/rulesregistration.html
Change some details on the poster and inform the registerd divers.
During the Open, divers will certainly meet every day marlin and sailfish.
I will organize a billfish tagging competition with a prize:
an about $1000 US Daryl Wong gun engraved "1st Costa Rica BWHO 2009". Daryl, one of the competitors, will give himself the gun to the winner.
I got from colleague in NZ pertinent feedback about tagging "strippy" but your experience about this technic would be pretty usefull.
There are 5 spots left and pura vida amateur are very welcome aboard!:beer:
Thank's to Terry, Cameron and to the divers who gave us their opinion.

[scubadown16]

Maybe it's your opinion that makes you look naieve.

You've got Terry, Ted, and Cam (the rookie in that group) voicing an opinion based on real life experience from all over the world that maybe the organizer should reconsider allwoing bill fish.

While you've entitled to your opinion after having done three trips in three years to a single place, La Paz, it would be a good idea to sit back and think a little bit on why these guys are all saying any bill fish taken could be a bad idea.

It looks to me that those three guys are saying that ANY bill fish killed by spearfishermen at a tourney down there IS going to change the course of the world as it pertains to spearfishing in that country.

But that's just my opinion and I've never even entered a blue water competition out of the country.


Well,

Just so your clear La Paz is not the only place I have gone to where spearfishing sailfish and Marlin are legal. I was just using one place in general. But thats not my argument and its distracting you from my argument.

My whole argument is.... " Why is taking sailfish or Marlin such a big deal to everyone? I don't get how those two fish are any more important then taking say Blue Fin Tuna or Sharks or what ever other fish you want to put in here? As I understand it. Sailfish and Marlin grow at a pretty good rate? Compared to say a Blue Fin Tuna? Now yes I get the fact that hook and line fishermen love catching marlin and sailfish. Weather or not they choose to kill them.

Being how I am " Naieve " I would like to know if fishermen and people in say Australia feel the same way as people here?

The other thing is. If people want to make a movement about not taking bill fish in tournaments. Then don't you think all billfish tournaments that kill the fish should be banned. Like I said before. I think publicly displaying the 1400 Marlin at the dock resently in South Carolina is just as shitty.

Sorry if I have offended any one by my opinion. But this is a board where things are suppose to be discussed. I didn't know that you were only allowed to speak if you have the cridentials of Terry, Ted, and Cameron.

James Hardesty

[kill shot]

Guys I obviously don't have the crudentials that alot of you do. But after just talking with a really good friend of mine( 20 plus years in marling fishery) this morning about how they feel about people shooting billfish and how many that they actually think survive I was pretty astonished at what he had to say.

He and 99% of all the billfish captains I have ever spoken to think first off that we are all a bunch of crazy wackos for even getting in the water with these fish to begin with. Then he went on to mention that alot of billfish 50% or more actually don't survive. They see alot of these fish fall victim to sharks no matter how quick you can release them. As for people spearing them they figure that it would be nearly impossible for any of us to make an impact on the industry on the same scale that they do. More like they made it sound as though with all the billfish tournaments held around the world that there is no way we could even touch the kill ratio that the entire industry makes every year.
I see why Terry and everyone is concerned, it is a foreign country and we don't want to make a bad impression for ourselves or for our future. But look at the big picture and understand that we are a fraction of a fraction of what is really happening out there.
As James said what is the differance of us going over there to shoot big tunas, they are in a hell of alot more of a decline then the marlin.
I don't think anyone here is naive, we all have an opinion.

If the tournament bans the billfish then so be it. I am just going to hang with some good people and to shoot a few fish and have fun for a week.

And yes this was just my good friend telling me this but it seems to be pretty common when I have asked these questions in the past to other captains around the world. They tend to think that if we are willing to get in the water with a fish that puts holes thru the sides of marlin boats and what not that we should be given the chance just like they are given the chance to use hook and lines.

Would it be better if we all rigged the end of our spears with circle hooks?
Eric

[virgili]

Here the new POSTER
And the new RULES:
http://www.subaquavideo.com/rulesregistration.html

A BILLFISH TAGGING COMP will be organized during the Open. The winner will get a Daryl Wong special hybrid speargun given by Daryl himself.

Registered divers will get a monthly news letter.
Pura Vida!:beer:

[bottomnout]

Man they got a cool little bar on the beach by the language school in Samara, the chick who ownes it is hot but she got some really abnormal skinny legs. If anybody is going to that area other than for the open, they have this great hostel called RBO, I believe the guys name is Donald who owns it. Its really clean and cheap and right by the beach and that little bar. Donald and his wife will also cook up what ever you bring them. They got some serious rock piles in that area. Yall are going to have a great time.

[virgili]

skinny legs

"Legs allow men walking and women to make their way in the life!":cool:

Pura Vida:beer:

[Not Nate]

Well,

Just so your clear La Paz is not the only place I have gone to where spearfishing sailfish and Marlin are legal. I was just using one place in general. But thats not my argument and its distracting you from my argument.

My whole argument is.... " Why is taking sailfish or Marlin such a big deal to everyone?

Sorry if I have offended any one by my opinion. But this is a board where things are suppose to be discussed. I didn't know that you were only allowed to speak if you have the cridentials of Terry, Ted, and Cameron.

James Hardesty

You're the one who included the La Paz portion of your spearfishing resume.

Those other guys' opinions were based on direct experience AT THAT LOCATION. Taking bill fish is not a big deal to everyone. It's just a big deal in Costa Rica.

You're right, anyone can voice an opinion. It's just that when a guy like Terry takes the time to post a fairly verbose opinion on SB then it's worth paying attention to.

All that's moot as far as this thread's concern.

[Wilddiver]

While I agree with the sentiments expressed by Kill Shot up above and have had similar sentiments expressed to me - most rod & reel fishermen (confidence tricksters?) who are not anti-spearfishing out of pure antipathy, jealousy whatever, are amazed that we will get into the water with all the nasty beasties down there and reckon if we can spear it and land it we earned it - I congratulate Philippe on his decision to defuse the situation by taking the actions he has done. Even though both my and Tommy's primary target in making the expensive flight to CR was to target a big marlin, as Cameron and a few others said, there are other places we can do so. Of course, there will also always be line fishermen, specially charter operators, who are down on spearos for no valid reasons, perhaps because they perceive our sport as being easy!

But it would be good to see all the critics who have opposed this event and the fact that billfish were on the trophy list now doff their hats and give credit to Virgili where it is due!:beer::beer:

I doubt anyway that with the tournament limited to 20 contestants 20 marlin would have been speared over a 4-5 day period...unless bills are as thick down there as in the Reserve Bank? :confused: But I guess that even 4 or 5 marlin landed could have been detrimental, if I must believe those who claim to know better. At least in Mozambique any marlin brought to the beach is likely to help feed a hundred starving mouths in a land where protein is at a premium.

However, if I must stick my oar in and stir it around a bit, are tuna not more endangered in the world's oceans than marlin? Should we concerned and ethical spearos start campaigning for an end to shooting tuna too, 'cos it could give spearfishing a bad rep? :rolleyes:

I guess whatever we shoot, someone somewhere will hate us for it and try to derail our sport. Like those who quite happily buy lamb or veal or suckling pig at the supermarket, but decry the guy :cowboy: who goes out and shoots a deer in the woods. Spearfishoing is a "blood sport" I guess, so we will always get opposition. Perhaps we should rethink whether we should kill fish competitively? Do the hunters have comps to see how many deer they can shoot over a weekend, week or whatever?

AJ and Craig should watch out that folks don't try to stop us shooting tuna in the Cape Town Blue Water Tuna International too!:D


Eric, I love your line: Would it be better if we all rigged the end of our spears with circle hooks?:lol::lol::lol:

[Wilddiver]

Still no kudos forthcoming???

[downandout]

After spending considerable amounts of money flying all over the world to shoot fish others say should not be shot, my opinion is if you don't like the rules of the tournament or country, voice your opinion by not attending or visiting. Don't take a holier-than-thou stance and say your opinion is better than someone else because you come from America or were ever or what ever. If you don't like the rules of that tournament stay home. If you want to partake in the event, go, enjoy the tournament, be responsible, enjoy what that country has to offer and represent Spearos all over the world by being positive about the sport and enjoying the fact that there government and people allow the harvest of these great fish.

Finally, no matter who a person is or what they have done in the past matters not to me, some of the very people who say we should no longer kill "Jew fish" are the very reason they needed to be protected. Or even express negative opinions about taking Bill Fish, after taking many themselves. Hypocrites. This is just an example I am not pointing fingers at anyone in particular. Basically, Speoros need to be responsible about what they harvest, and be comfortable with it also, be positive about the sport, even if you disagree with what someone else is doing or has done, as long as it is legal or was when and where it happened the old saying goes "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all!!" applies. I believe this infighting that so often happens on this board is more detrimental to this sport, than someone shooting a fish that is legal but not PC. If you don't believe in harvesting Bill fish Don't, this applies to all species: just because you have an opinion does not mean you can tell me what to do. As long as the host country and the tournament have no problems with it, keep you opinions to yourselves and try not to tell others what to do. Lets keep this Sport positive and not draw negative attention to ourselves, by ourselves.

Thank you for your time

D&O

[lars]

I am interested in signing up for this tournament. I will send you a PM

[Wilddiver]

I've been outta town for over a month but feel the same still to how I did a few posts up...it would be nice if the guys who opposed the taking of billfish in this tournament, specifically Terry and Cameron whose opinions do carry weight, were to give Virgili some credit for responding to their (and other) opinions and banning billfish from this competition - a step I'm sure was not lightly taken and one that while perhaps politically (and ecologically) correct could also piss off a number of contestants already entered for the tournament. Just a "well done Philippe" would be nice...

[virgili]

Hi Daryl, good to hear from you!
Very pleased to notice how the Blue water hunting Planet is represented.
22 registered divers to the Open are from:
South Africa: 4
Canada: 2
Costa Rica: 3
Great Britain: 1
Puerto Rico: 1
Mexico:1
Virgin Islands: 1
Florida: 4
Cuba: 1
Connecticut:1
Georgia: 1
Texas: 1
Hawaii: 1
During the Open, the spearo cultur exchanges will be stimulating!;)
There are 2 to 3 spots left. (1st Nov. deadline).
Pura Vida.

[FishDie]

I'd like to know why you picked Samara? The place has been off the map from tourists for a quite a long time. Now you're attempting to build this annual tournament there and of course all the contestants and organizers will tell their friends how great of a place it is and in turn those friends will tell their friends and the next thing you know Samara has turned into another Jaco. :mad:

Why didn't you run it out of Tamarindo, Matapalo, or Mal Pais?

[virgili]

why you picked Samara?
In my modest opinion, three basic parameters are imperative, if you plan to organize an international bluewater hunting tournament:

The weather, probably the most important/ inescapable concern. I have been observing for the last years how the weather is sunny/ stable in this area during the dry season and how the open sea is very calm every year in January. (I have been doing several spearfishing trips to the Nicoya coast from Dec to April, 2 to 3 times a year). In that case the Pacific blue water is impressive (like a lake) and the visi incredible!

The fish: hunting off an about 100 miles wild coast from Nosara to the south (Cabo Blanco) without any touristic center/ marina... Obviously a lot of fish but also a lot of amazing encounters: whales, giant manta rays, giant turtles and different kind of huge dolphins schools...

The boats: 6 sportfishing boats? this was first hard to find in this isolated place but we made it...

Welcome aboard!

[FishDie]

In my modest opinion, three basic parameters are imperative, if you plan to organize an international bluewater hunting tournament:

The weather, probably the most important/ inescapable concern. I have been observing for the last years how the weather is sunny/ stable in this area during the dry season and how the open sea is very calm every year in January. (I have been doing several spearfishing trips to the Nicoya coast from Dec to April, 2 to 3 times a year). In that case the Pacific blue water is impressive (like a lake) and the visi incredible!

The fish: hunting off an about 100 miles wild coast from Nosara to the south (Cabo Blanco) without any touristic center/ marina... Obviously a lot of fish but also a lot of amazing encounters: whales, giant manta rays, giant turtles and different kind of huge dolphins schools...

The boats: 6 sportfishing boats? this was first hard to find in this isolated place but we made it...

Welcome aboard!

Thanks for responding.

That weather pattern is prevalent throughout the country during that time of year.

100 miles? Where will you be fueling up 6 boats in Samara to make 100 mile trips? That's a LOT of diesel. Within 40 miles (as a crow flies) to the north your in Tamarindo, a huge fishing center. Within 60 miles west your in Playa Herradura, or better known now as Los Suenos, another huge fishing center. 50 miles west your in Puntarenas, CRs only major shipping port. Amazing encounters? I thought this is about shooting fish, not taking pictures. Regardless, all the species you listed can be found anywhere along the Pacific Coast of CR.

Isolated place. Exactly. It's off the beaten path and hasn't grown into a Jaco or Tamarindo for a reason. Tamarindo, Playa Herradura (Los Suenos), Mal Pais, or even Quepos could've satisfied all the "basic parameters" you listed.

Anyways, I've been visiting CR for over 10 years and Samara has always been a really special place to me and I'd HATE to see it turn into a Los Suenos, Jaco, or Tamarindo. That's the only reason why the chosen location is upsetting to me. I'm sure it'll be a fantastic tournament and I wish you the best of luck.

[Wahooooo!]

Are you serious? You really think a spearfishing competition is going to turn it into a Jaco? and yes I went to CR for the first time in 1990 .

[scubadown16]

Are you serious? You really think a spearfishing competition is going to turn it into a Jaco? and yes I went to CR for the first time in 1990 .

I agree... I always hate it when people start saying that if you hold a spearfishing tournament that the place is going to be over run with thousands of people and the fishing is going to go to shit.... Even if every competitor in this tournament was to do really well and tell their friends I hardly dought that the place would become a tourist attraction. Best of luck to everyone... Dive safe. and Good luck...

[virgili]

Hi James!
Good to hear from you!
We got recently 2 new registered divers from CA and FL: one spot left now.
Seems to me that months ago you were interested/ motivated in taking part... You should share your nice personallity and your fighting spirit with spearos from the Blue Planet on a "pura vida" spot!
Welcome aboard!:beer:
A pic taken in January 08...

[FishDie]

Are you serious? You really think a spearfishing competition is going to turn it into a Jaco? and yes I went to CR for the first time in 1990 .

Not overnight, of course not. You can't deny that holding touraments and such and then posting pictures and stories all over the internet won't bring more attention to an already off the path town though.

You've seen the changes that have taken place down there if you've been traveling there since 90, they're not good.

[Wahooooo!]

Not overnight, of course not. You can't deny that holding touraments and such and then posting pictures and stories all over the internet won't bring more attention to an already off the path town though.

You've seen the changes that have taken place down there if you've been traveling there since 90, they're not good.

You're right, I've seen the changes and that is why I don't go anymore. There is very little about CR that is "off the path". It is a beautiful place with friendly locals and awesome ocean activities but the truth is they have been receiving more than a million tourists a year for the last ten years. I just dont think a spearfishing tournament, with maybe a few hundred people that will participate or hear about it, will make any difference in a country that receives 1,000,000 + tourists a year.

If I had the money in time I would love to participate in this tournament. To meet world class divers in a beautiful place with the chance at world class fish.:cowboy:

[BTSpearfishing]

Anybody needing a Blue Water Speargun for this event please contact us. We are having a sale on the Blue Water Models. In Tommy Botha's photo that is our Andre Speargun Gold 160 next to that prize fish.

[Wilddiver]

Anybody needing a Blue Water Speargun for this event please contact us. We are having a sale on the Blue Water Models. In Tommy Botha's photo that is our Andre Speargun Gold 160 next to that prize fish.

Ummm, I don't think so! I have been with Tommy a lot, handled that gun often, and that gun is his own manufactured gun with which he has taken some 80 tuna off Cape Town. But I do acknowledge that the Tommy Botha guns and the Andre guns are almost identical...apart from a few minor differences.

[scubadown16]

Hi James!
Good to hear from you!
We got recently 2 new registered divers from CA and FL: one spot left now.
Seems to me that months ago you were interested/ motivated in taking part... You should share your nice personallity and your fighting spirit with spearos from the Blue Planet on a "pura vida" spot!
Welcome aboard!:beer:
A pic taken in January 08...

I have always been interested in going... But with this bad economy and cost of everything going up. I just can't make both Your tournament as well as Dennis Hausslers in La Paz... So I am having to give up some of my travels and pick more carefully the trips I take... Sorry.... I would love to make this and participate... Maybe you would like to sponsor a friend??? :thumps: I wish all the participants a safe and fun trip...

James Hardesty

[virgili]

to sponsor a friend...
I planned to help a spearo colleague at the moment the Open recruiting began.. That I did in helping a Cuban colleague (and friend), one of the best spearo on the place, in taking part to the Open. As an experienced sportfishing boat Captain he earns probably about 30$ per month... a one day skiper tip in Costa Rica.:(
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he will get the authorization to travel out of Cuba!:bang:

[AJRABIE]

Tommy BOtha makes his own guns, I also know him and he shoots with his own range of guns. Very similar gun, tommy's is just less bling!
Cheers

[virgili]

Tommy BOtha makes his own guns
I brought back from SA this tuna gun made by T. Botha. I don't have obviously any complaint about this speargun...:thumps:

[kill em all]

If at any point during this event you do here heat from anyone about a harvest of billfish just send those fellas over to Martec in Quepos and show them what any longline boats bring back to the dock everyday. While sport fishermen are using circle hooks and releasing fish safely local longliners will bring 200-300 sailfish and marlin back to the dock to be sold to Sams Mart and Costco in the States as whatever. JUST WAIT TILL YOU SEE THE FACTORY SHIPS FROM TAIWAN WITH 2 CHOPPERS SETTING A PURSE SEINE WITH A 5 MILE DIAMETER KILLING EVERY YELLOWFIN TUNA, BILLFISH, AND SPINNER DOLPHIN THAT EXIST. And anytime you here pura vida it pretty much means F-YOU. Kill what you want - Anything goes in the third world - have fun and wish you guys the best in this event. - Albie

[virgili]

Hi Kill em all, thank,s for your interesting feedback and your wishes!

SHIPS FROM TAIWAN

I stayed in CR one week ago and I was told there that the government has been fostering strong economic relationships with China (wich probably means that Taiwan will loose soon some leverage there...).Not sure that this economic outlook will calm concerns about overfishing off the Central America Pacific coast.:(
I took these pics on the same day:
-at about 10 miles a local fishing boat using about 5 miles long "longlines" equiped with about 1000 hooks+squids...
-at about 40 miles an industrial fishing ship (from Taiwan) using a huge net...
The difference is amazing but are the goals in fishing different?

[virgili]

The 20 competitor official list:
Sheri Daye / florida
Tommy Botha / South africa
Roberto Reyes / puerto rico
Eric Walker / virgin islands
Daryl Balfour / south africa
Alejandro Franco / mexico
Zac Zuccharo / south africa
Daryl Wong / hawaii
Greg Magrinat / florida
Brian Jessurum / connecticut
Nigel Beresford / great britain
Jean Jacques Rousseau/ quebec
Cameron Condie / south africa
George Sean / texas
Bertrand Tiap Chong / quebec
Tim kohl / California
Scot leavitt / Connecticut
Chris blansfield / Rhode Island
Mike damms / Florida
Rob wills / Australia
There's going to be a tough and friendly fight for the 1st place..
A great challenge ahead!:thumps:

Pura Vida!:beer:

[kill em all]

The smaller boat with the longline gear is definately the more sustainable type of fishing except for the fact that those boats are harvesting billfish when they could release alot of them. Those sailfish and marlin generate way more money to the CR economy alive then dead. Sport fishing for billfish is one of the biggest industries in CR where as a sailfish or marlin harvested only gets $50-$100 per fish. Those longline boats could maintain a productive and healthy fishery if they stop harvesting billfish. However, what they take from the system does not compare to that asian boat with the net (purse seine). When I was living in CR and running a charter fishing boat it would be common to see ships with similar gear as the one in your photo except for the fact that they were 2-3 times larger and had least one helicopter on board. Those boats are raping the ocean of tuna. Specifcally migratory yellowfin tuna that tend to stay under the pods of spinner dolphins. Once one of their choppers spot the dolphins the boat is right behind circling the school with a purse seine net taking them all. No fishery can be treated like that and be expected to last.

[bombard666]

I just read here that the purse saners got pushed to a minimum of 35miles off shore and i have personally seen the Guarda Costa out there inforcing it! Its about time, and this year the tuna have already come back to the reefs in bigger numbers and size. At least here around Guiones!

[ROBERTO REYES]

When I was living in CR and running a charter fishing boat it would be common to see ships with similar gear as the one in your photo except for the fact that they were 2-3 times larger and had least one helicopter on board. Those boats are raping the ocean of tuna. Specifcally migratory yellowfin tuna that tend to stay under the pods of spinner dolphins. Once one of their choppers spot the dolphins the boat is right behind circling the school with a purse seine net taking them all. No fishery can be treated like that and be expected to last.

I can see in the pic of the second boat , the helicopter, seen them also in Mexico, taking so many tuna, its incredible there are still some in the ocean.
And of course, they will kill anything on the nets, including bill fish.
The smaller boats puts out miles and miles of hooks in the water, with floats,
what we do, is so ecological and responsible compared to any other kind of fishing,
its a petty we dont have the right exposure.

[Wilddiver]

Sad news for the competition is that Tommy Botha has been forced to withdraw due to the serious illness of his wife, Lindy. Lindy is back home after a series of major surgeries, but Tommy rightfully does not want to leave her at this time. Our thoughts and best wishes go out to Tommy and Lindy.

[kill shot]

Daryl,

Please give Tommy and Lindy my best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Eric

[virgili]

Sad news for the competition is that Tommy Botha has been forced to withdraw due to the serious illness of his wife, Lindy. Lindy is back home after a series of major surgeries, but Tommy rightfully does not want to leave her at this time. Our thoughts and best wishes go out to Tommy and Lindy.
I will call again Tommy to day from CR.
Last week he seemed to me be pretty worried about his wife .
Wish her the best and shortest convalescence.
Tommy is very welcome to the 2nd edition, we need his gentelman presence there!:cool:


Despite a recent earthquake in San Jose 2 days ago, there are not any serious dammage there and the roads are intact.
Here in Samara we get sunny weather, sea calm++, bluewater... Pura Vida!:beer:

[Wilddiver]

Agreed Philippe, Tommy - to all of us who have had the pleasure of diving or spending time in his company - is one of the true gentlemen of spearfishing. He's been called the Tiger Woods or Gary Player of spearfishing...and perhaps if our sport was a whole lot bigger those guys might be known as the Tommy Botha's of golf!

See you all in Samara on the 14th!

[kill shot]

See you all there tomorrow!!

[Quetzal]

See you all there tomorrow!!

Good luck, To you and Roberto and all participants. I wish I could have been there, not so much to compete but to enjoy the good times. I would have, but I make my living in taxes and this is "The Season" for me. If its earlier next year I would like to be there.

[Wilddiver]

Been in CR now since Wednesday. Dirty water and not many, not any, blue water fish about so far. Hopefully the situation will improve... Will keep you posted.

Tuna technique here very basic and hit or miss. Tommy and Milkes...you need to get here and teach these guys the Cape Town technique!

[virgili]

Pics taken yesterday
D balfour in blue water
B. Tiap Chong caught a nice rooster inshore
An humperback performing acrobatic inshore

[ROBERTO REYES]

Cant wait to get there, sunday at 2pm in san jose, way
too long to wait.

[downandout]

Best of luck to all of you this week, please be safe and shoot big fish, can't wait to see the pictures and hear the stories!

Best of luck and be safe.
Jon

[SWAT]

Just a heads up!!! The first leg of the Los Suenos billfishing tournament is underway this week- they have a 50 mile radius which includes carrillo-(watch out not all sportfish captains understand the spearo game-or realize that divers are in the water)- would have loved to attend your event.. good luck to you all -- safe shooting!!!! Need to add a few local slots to your international spearo venue... after all you/we are all guests in this country....PB Herradurra Bay Costa Rica....

[Daryl Wong]

ALoha Swat,

You'll have to dive next year. You will have a blast. I finally got my computer to work here. I'm not the most computer literate.

All I can say about this tournament is WOW. It is a well planned, first class operation, and world class waters. The gang here is diverse and totally enjoying the hospitality of Cost Rica and our host Phillipe Virgili. :thumps: He has something great here. This tournment isn't all about spearing something as it is about bringing divers from all over the world and states to meet and connect. It is an honor to meet many of them here. I knew most from only reading about them or seeing thier post on forums. But to meet them in persona is awesome. I finally got to meet "bother Daryl Balfour from South Africa, and long lost friend Bertran tiap chong from Montreal and to reconnect with all the north east guys and others who I have met through email is priceless.:thumps.

We have seen Wahoo, Marling, Sailfish, Mahi, Tuna, and all types of game. They have been pretty elusive so far, but that is what blue water hunting is like. I told all the guys if they shoot one fish in the tournament, they are doing great. I've been doing blue water for a long time and getting blanked is the norm. You have to be dedicated to spending hours on end looking into "blue water".
I would like to thank Philippe for putting on this great tournament and bringing all of us together so that our dive community just got smaller and tight knit. We all have the same passion for the ocean and its like a big reunion.
Three more days to go and anything can happen! I hope some of the guys can post some pictures.

Aloha Daryl

[Marco]

Keep the comments (and pictures) coming!

[Sheri]

I would like to clarify a couple things to the above post.

I have been to Costa Rica and Mexico a few times, and I have had numerous chances to take a billfish, but I decided awhile ago not to do that for my own reasons. However, I am not overly judgemental of spearos that do take one-in-a-lifetime where it's legal, it's low profile, the captains don't mind, and it's going to be eaten. I still believe that many, many more billfish die at that hands of fishermen---even catch and release ones--compared to the spearo take. Right here, right now, and especially in a tournament setting, it is not a good idea to take billfish.

Yesterday, we had 25-knot winds and elected to stay inshore. As you said, the viz was horrible. I made an honest mistake and shot a roosterfish thinking it was an amberjack (I could only see the back 1/3 of its body). Afterward, the captain told me not to worry about it......it's legal, they eat it here, they are not endangered, and they do not carry the stigma of a billfish. The other divers on the boat, Daryl Wong and Tim Kohl, told me to quit being such a worry-wart and enjoy the moment.

NO ONE HAS CHANGED THE RULES HERE....my fish does not count, and I would feel bad if someone uses my mistake as an excuse to shoot a billfish during the Open. Philippe has worked too hard to make this a nice tournament for everyone, and I think most people are enjoying it.

Pura vida!

[settingsteel]

Indeed Sheri...PURA VIDA:thumps:

[Chad Carney]

Pura vida Sheri!

Photo please!

[virgili]

2 best fish taken today:
-wahoo taken by Rob Wills/ Australia
-dorado taken by Greg Magrinat/ Florida
Pura vida!:beer:++

[scubadown16]

I hope you all stay safe as you dive... The water clears up and you all enjoy the moment. A bad day spearfishing is better then sitting infront of a computer on a good day at work... Best of luck to you all. Thanks Phillip for the pics...

James Hardesty

[virgili]

R Wills in the flesh!:thumps:

[Wilddiver]

Aha, at last the blue water fish are performing a little. A far better day today, though still too few fish weighing in. Philippe has shown the two best above, the first true blue water fish of the tournament, and Roberto Reyes and Cam Condie also weighed small dorado. Rob Wills´s wahoo was just over 28lbs and Greg´s dorado topped 26. Roberto then lost the best fish of the week...a wahoo that I guestimate (I saw it as it took off) at 70 - 80 lbs minimum...which snapped the mono at the spear on its first run. A few other guys saw some big bull dorados but not close enough for a shot.

The wind was offshore, and had pushed the dirty water that´s been hanging inshore way out, so there were some pretty long hauls out to the blue, and even then it was not too blue. But by this afternoon the wind had dropped and expectations are high for tomorrow, our last day, to be a cracker!

There are some big fish out there, just waiting to be hauled on to land and photographed! With luck the pic gallery tomorrow night will be full of beaming spearos and glum looking fish!!!:D

[z1taz]

I would like to clarify a couple things to the above post.


NO ONE HAS CHANGED THE RULES HERE....my fish does not count,



HA HA some big guys seems to be bit jalous from the weak woman kicking their
Ass####..!!

Enjoy it Sheri because to day was 54 in boca raton...

i m freezing in florida..;)....!!

good luck.

[Wilddiver]

The final day has come and gone...with only one fish weighed...a decent 31lb dorado spèared by Brian Jessurum of Connecticut. Enough to get him 3rd place overall. The comp was one by Canada´s Bert Tiep Chong with an almaco jack and a cero mackerel, with second going to Rob Will of Sydney, Oz, with a wahoo, cero mack and a small (very) almaco jack.

The final evening, prizegiving and dinner was enjoyed by all with prizes from Pelaj, Rabitech and Rob Allen distyributed by lottery, and Alex Franco of Mexico City walking off with the great Daryl Wong gun that was raffled off in aid of a local school. There were also cash awards of $3000 for the winner, $1500 for 2nd and $500 for third, with another $500 for biggest fish of the week. The winner also gains free entry to the 2nd Cape Town Yellowfin Tuna Blue Water Open in May.

Zak and I now move on to Louisianna to spear with Keith Simmons and Chad Morris, followed by a further week in Florida where we´ll meet up with Sheri and Wolf. Hopefully the weather improves dramatically over there!!!

[BigMako]

What?????? We have no fish up here. They all moved to Florida. No fish here!

[downandout]

Congratulations to you all, and especially Brian Jessurum my friend and teammate in South Africa. Hopefully in South Africa Brian and myself will move up the leader board a notch or two.

Daryl, I hope you and Zak have a great time on your trip spearing around the world, and happy hunting.

[Wilddiver]

Thanks Jon, see you in Cape Town in May.

[ROBERTO REYES]

I have to say I had a blast in Costa Rica.
I will give some brainstorm from my memory, and
post some pics, it was 5 days in the water, so
this will be long and probably boring, so dive in at your
own risk.

I hope Tommys wife is ok, and I wish I had met the legend.


We had bad weather some days,
blue water was far out, and since we could not take
the bill fish, (and there were lots of them) , and the big
Gorilla tuna did not knew there was a tournament
expecting them, we could not realice the dream of landing
a really big fish in the tournament.

But, even when I was sick in the boat ( I still have the flu) , when
we saw the spinner doplphins , I had to jump in, with big hopes to see
those giant yellowfins under the dolphins,but, we only saw small Yellowfins.

Only the last day of the tournament, at the last 1/2 an hours,
not too far from shore, we found a group of tuna going very fast
running after the flying fish, we jumped at them twice, but had to
let go, due to the short time left.

The mahi were big (all but mine) and smart, not going for the chum,
something not normal, since they are usually always hungry.
The wahoo were few , but they were there, some really big.

Without a doubt, meeting the guys in the tournament and been
able to share our lies about big fish, sharks and adventures was
my favorite part.
The guys from South africa are spoiled with big fish, and
they are a lot of fun to be with, Zac Zuccharo,Cameron Condie and Daryl Balfour, thanks for letting me use one of your guns, I had none and was able to go back to
the water thanks to you, and still shoot at a fish, I owe you a shaft.
I was very impressed by Daryls story of his encounter with one particular
elefant, Geez!, we even had a water melon war 30 miles offshore, next to
a 30+ log floating next to us.
Daryl, I keep forgetting those Zulu words...

That log had 3 mahi mahi on it, 2 of them 30 pounders, and a female of around 25, Alejandro shot the first and the second fish that was shot, got entangled with the first fish, and broke , the third fish was shot and lost, there were some 14 divers diving in the log after that, and still a marlin show up to look at Eric walker flasher.
Water was clear enough for me to see the 3 fish being shot at, ain't blue water great,GRRRR...

I took some chum , 3 trigger fish under the log, I was using then Daryl Wong personal gun, when he found out I had no gun, he offered his own gun, I cant say enough good things about Daryl, I wanted to meet him for such a long time, and I mean more than 10 years, and I finally met one of the nicest guys in our sport, what a gentleman,he even took a few handles, and mechanism to give some of the guys there, as a warranty for a product that was not broken, but he knew might have a problem, not to mention that he put a new mechanism in Alejandro Franco gun, it had some kind of problem, good things happen to good people, I wish him the best.
Oh, by the way, his guns rock, I wanted to test how far I could hit those oceanic
trigger fish, and I was nailing them really far, Bertrand came up to me and asked
what I was doing, I go, shhhhhh!, next thing he shot the last one with the tuna gun he made himself, great shot.
Sean George and some other guys had marlins swam up to them, they did not puled the trigger, Sean told me how he could see the big striper eye looking at him as he passed 10 feet away from him underwater.

I had the chance to dive again with Sheri, I remember her when she
was a real rookine diving with us in Louisiana, I think she still was stopping
at ten feet to decompress while coming up from a freedive in those days,
now she can dive like one of us, I have great pic of her in Costa Rica blue water,
that really represents what blue water is 90% of the time.

I have Eric Walker in the next island , and had to go to Costa Rica to see
his awesome new gun, Sheri was taking pics of us and seasniper in the boat
when a mahi came close to the boat, am still doing close ups of the pic to see if I can see the mahi in it.

[deepdown]

Great report Roberto, to bad the fish didn't comply...

Hope to see you one of these days in PR...

[ROBERTO REYES]

Now, let me see if I can explain this without crying, sniff, sniff.
My Tuna gun broke shooting an aquarium Dorado, I went for a
really long shot just for fun, the day before we could not go out
to the blue water, so we stayed inshore, I found myself with my
6 band alexander making aspeto in the reefs, it seems that
somehow it got a nick in the wood, and the bands got inside the wood
when I shot the mahi, delaminating the wood, will post pics, since
I had never seen some like that , It hurts me, but am sure you
guys will enjoy the pics.

[ROBERTO REYES]

I also got some pics of the guys taking shots.

[ROBERTO REYES]

Great report Roberto, to bad the fish didn't comply...

Hope to see you one of these days in PR...


Thanks Gerald.
I know for a fact that in fishing, is not all about the fish,
the real adventure is the trip itself, fishing is just the best
excuse we have.


Maybe I will see you one of these days in FL...

[Quetzal]

Congrats all. It would have been nice to have been there.
Roberto I know the broken gun really hurts. And you of all people, I've seen how well you take care of your gun.
I've never met Daryl but on the phone he is very nice.
Question? Isn't blue water and not alot of fish, more the norm than outside the norm?

[AlexF]

Roberto, you forgot to mention something. On the last day, there was a raffle for a really nice 60" Wong and the proceeds would go to buying a computer and printer for a local school.

I had got acustomed to not carrying any money and the tickets were going fast so I asked Roberto to buy some tickets for me so he bought half for him and the other for me. He was kind enough to let me choose my half of the tickets and lucky enough I ended up winning the gun.

Don't think there is much else to add to the repports, so I will just leave the picture of the gun with the builder, another of Robertos gun breaking dorado and one of a cubera that got in the way of frustration.

One of the days I ended up staying in shore and was taken to a deep (100ft) rock with green and murky water. I went down by myself with my omer 115 with reel and no buoy. When I got to 19m (63ft) I leveled out and this cubera shows up and before I could think I took a shot. I started pulling the fish on my way up and then realized I was somewhat deep and with no one on the surface so I just let go on the fish and let the reel go. All the way up I could only think I was so dumb on shooting this fish and that it was going to cost me my beloved gun. I fortunately go to the surface and just started pulling the snapper up, it weighed 33Lbs.

By the way, I didn't have plans on returning more guns that I took so I had a really hard time making the 3 guns fit into my gun tube, and had an even worst time getting them out yesterday. It took 30 minutes to take them out, and that was with the guns completely dissasambled.

It was a pleasure to meet and dive with all the people present. It made the trip worth it.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u278/AlejF/Diving/IMGP0265a.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u278/AlejF/Diving/DSCN0776a.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u278/AlejF/Diving/IMGP0269a.jpg

[kill shot]

To everyone who attended, it was nothing short of a really great time. As Roberto mentioned we got to meet alot of really great spearos from around the globe. It was also nice to meet up with Daryl and Zak once again and to meet there fellow SA Cameron who had plenty of Cuta stories to keep me thinking I will find a school like that here in STT one day. Sheri it was a pleasure to meet you as well after seeing and reading about all your stories and hunting over the years, hope to see you at the Expo in a couple of weeks. Daryl I will be seeing you in a few weeks in Hawaii as I have a bit of work to attend to over there.

Even though the fish weren't there( well I seen plenty of billfish to keep me dreaming until next time) it is alwasy nice to be able to just get into the water and dive. Even if it looks like it is snowing at 35ft inshore on a super windy day when I think some of the guys were wondering if there boats would make it back to shore. Next year hopefully the fish will show up and make the comp a bit more interesting.

Jumping in on the porpoise schools with Alex was awe inspiring seeing however many hundreds or even thousands there. What you see from the surface is just a fraction of what is there. Can't wait to see what it is like with the tunas under there. We jumped and jumped and jumped but no tunas. I would still go out right now and jump in again and again. We spent hours doing this and it never got boring.

There was alot of nice prizes given away and I ended up with a new Rob Allen to add to my collection.
And Roberto that gun of yours, OUCH!!!!

Eric

[virgili]

Back to Canada and back to reality!: Here is the air temp at about -25 Far. and the sea is inshore frozen...
As organizer it's still to soon and pretty hard for me to give an objective Open report. But what comes first to me is :
Thank,s again to the competitors: they fighted friendly and did their best. To be patient is probably one of the most decisive skill in blue water hunting...

We have seen Wahoo, Marling, Sailfish, Mahi, Tuna, and all types of game. They have been pretty elusive so far, but that is what blue water hunting is like. I told all the guys if they shoot one fish in the tournament, they are doing great. I've been doing blue water for a long time and getting blanked is the norm. You have to be dedicated to spending hours on end looking into "blue water" Daryl Wong.

Most of the divers met by chance sailfish, black/ blue/ stripped marlins and they could observe these magnifiscent pelagics at a very close range.;) an amazing experience as well as, for example an encountering with a giant manta ray swimming around a flasher in shallow water (during the windy day)...
Congratulations again to the winners and to Bert Tiap Chong in particular.
Warmly thank's to Sheri Daye and Roberto Reyes for giving us a great support and for sharing their exceptional experience. I'm very please to inform the spearos they accept to take part as guest divers to the 2nd. edition in January 2010.
Clear water!
Pura Vida!:beer:

[z1taz]

Now,my
6 band alexander making aspeto in the reefs, i.

Hey Roberto does this gun ~WAS~ a Steve Alexander????
i do not reconize it!!what model?open track??

strange ..very strange..old gun??

rgds marco

[ROBERTO REYES]

Allen
The thing about blue water is that normally
is very boring with no fish 90% of the time, is the
kind of fishing that most guys who dont sell fish
or go for many fish but instead go for the few hard ones
to find.
I love reef fishing, licking the rocks like I call it, but
nothing gets me exited as blue water( Hum!, almost nothing...).
Still, that 10% when you do find them, its all worth it.
Someone asked me, if I dream in spanish or english,
after thinking about it for a week, I can tell I dream in
blue water.

Alejandro,
I did not forget about it, I was just very happy that
my friend got the gun, we were all drooling for it.
You should have seen your face when you thank me,
your ears were on the way for a bigger smile.;-)
And, take a look at my Mahi, I was so proud of it that I wrotte "Rob"
on his cheeks with my knife.
Not a bad shot either.

Eric
Am ready, lets go.


And Marco Alexander my friend,
the tuna gun from Alexander is an incredible gun,
its not pretty, not build to hunt buyers, but very efficient, acurate gun.
It was my mothers gift (rest in peace), it does hurt more than any of
you would believe.

[sbh]

Great reports everyone...I'd love to make this trip one day. Roberto, I had something similar happen to a gun I made with a closed track. I shot a snapper under a ledge and the shaft didn't completely leave the track and the flailing fish apparently put torque on the shaft and put a stress crack in the front portion of the muzzle. I didn't realize it and then later somehow the same thing happend except my shooting line ended up sliding/slicing into the wood ???? Fortunately it was only about 2 inches deep and I've laminated it back up using epoxy and a syringe and its been fine.
Best Regards
Brent Harris

[z1taz]

[QUOTE=

And Marco Alexander my friend,
the tuna gun from Alexander is an incredible gun,
its not pretty, not build to hunt buyers, but very efficient, acurate gun.
[/QUOTE]

yes Roberto..we know ...we got one ..i thought the one that broke was a steve as you mentioned but should be a misunderstood..from me..this is why i was surprised it could happen to such a gun..

@ bientot ..see you in wild blue expo may be??

[ROBERTO REYES]

Brent, thanks, I had somelike that in mind, hopefully
it will work.
And Marco,its and old gun, I have been doing real
blue water with my Alexander for around 15 years now.
cant complain.

[scubadown16]

Its a shame anytime a gun breaks, is lost, or just does not perform like it should... My heart goes out to you Roberto. But that many years and that many fish. Sometimes you just have to retire a classic and charis its sentamental value. Especially with the family ties in this case... Good luck to you and hope we can dive together someday...

James Hardesty

[Daryl Wong]

Aloha Guys

I've been home a few days and just now catching up on jet lag. Here are a few thoughts about the tournament. I go on blue water trips for the adventure. If I see a fish great. If I shoot one even better. I go in with no expectations and that way everything is a bonus. I've learned to be like this and enjoy the trip after doing this for 15 years now. I haven't come close to filling my fish wish list, but then that leaves me with lots of things to look forward too.

The Costa Rica Trip was a blast. The water was nice and blue three days out of five and the other days we stayed near shore because of the wind. But that is how Costa Rica is. I've been down there 5 times and thats about the norm. The beauty of the tournament is that because it is multi day, you have options when weather doesn't cooperate. My last dive tournament in the Gulf, I was blown out for four straight days.:eek:

There were a few glitches being this was the first tournament, but I know those can be taken care of easily by the next tournament. The accommodations were first rate. Better than any of my previous trips to Costa Rica. The food was excellent (buffet) every night and everyone had a great time.
I enjoyed the trip not so much because of the diving, but because there were so many divers from around the world and we all had a blast. Every day we switched boats and dive teams and this enabled all of us to get to dive together and know each other. Even though it was a tournament, everyone helped each other with gear and worked as a big team on each boat each day. I think because of this we all bonded together and had a great time. Every night at the weigh in and dinner it was like a big party. Everyone telling stories and having a great time.
I was happy to get to know the new divers and also to see a few of my friends I've known through my spearguns and travels.
If they have the second Costa Rica blue water tournament, I would highly recommend diving it. The hotel is world class and a few divers brought wives and there will be more bringing wives after seeing how nice the place was for family to hang out. There is much to do in the surrounding area. Rain Forrest trips, tours and you can also go into town to eat if you want to check out the small town.
The people are so friendly and I never felt unprotected as I sometimes did on my trips to other countries. One nice thing about Costa Rica. You can travel light. Bring only shorts and t shirts. It was hot and humid. Just like home to me! If you can dive the tournament, you'll have a blast.
Check out Phillipe's thread for the pictures.

I would like to thank all the divers who attended and hope we all can meet again to dive together. And to Phillipe and his lovely wife Elizabeth, thank you for being great hosts,taking great pictures and letting us experience the "Pura Vida" of Costa Rica. It reminded me of home.

Aloha,Daryl

[settingsteel]

Aloha Daryl, great feedback

Pura vida!!!:thumps:

[ROBERTO REYES]

Its a shame anytime a gun breaks, is lost, or just does not perform like it should... My heart goes out to you Roberto. But that many years and that many fish. Sometimes you just have to retire a classic and charis its sentamental value. Especially with the family ties in this case... Good luck to you and hope we can dive together someday...

James Hardesty

JAMES
I feel the same.
and its a small world, it would be
my pleasure to dive with you.

[Toledo970]

Great stories and pics. What I always enjoy the most aren't the stories of the actual fishing, but of the friendships made and people that are part of it. Thanx for sharing the stories.

Roberto,
do you have a gun to replace it? If "NO" what are you considering?

[SWAT]

sounds like you guys and gals had a great tournament and lots of fun... again I hope you open the international competition to include some local slots!!!!!!

[virgili]

you open the international competition to include some local slots!!!!!!
Thank's for your feedback and welcome to the 2nd edition!
I opened the 2009 tournament to 3 (american) spearos who have been living in CR not far from Samara... they did registering, did until December 08 as if they will take part to the Open with their own boat, they received all the info I shared with the registered divers. At the time they never give any answer to my mails and never paid the deposit... I had to call them in December from CR and they finally inform me they changed their mind.(without any apologize)..!!:confused:
B.W.H. needs to be pretty patient!:cool:

[Spear CR]

Pesky Americans.

[ROBERTO REYES]

sounds like you guys and gals had a great tournament and lots of fun... again I hope you open the international competition to include some local slots!!!!!!

NO WAY.
I would die of envy seen you guys shoot marlin, while we cant
:-)

[bombard666]

Thank's for your feedback and welcome to the 2nd edition!
I opened the 2009 tournament to 3 (american) spearos who have been living in CR not far from Samara... they did registering, did until December 08 as if they will take part to the Open with their own boat, they received all the info I shared with the registered divers. At the time they never give any answer to my mails and never paid the deposit... I had to call them in December from CR and they finally inform me they changed their mind.(without any apologize)..!!:confused:
B.W.H. needs to be pretty patient!:cool:

I am sorry, and as i explaind due to boat problems early in my season here i was unable to make it. However i did offer my boat and services for the tourney, just for the cost of gas. I never heard back. I would have loved to have been part of this event however, my boat had to take presidence. Anyway i hope to be part of the next event, this year has just been a tough one for me hopefully next year.