Picasso America Open!

[Sebaste]

just wanted to say thanks to Greg and Vanessa for putting on a great event. the conditions were poor but I think everyone had a great time. The prize tent was also very generous!

Looking forward to next year.
Dave

[Dave Edlund]

Fabulous event!!!!!

I have been to many a dive tournament, but water conditions aside, this was one of the best. Well organized, great food, super generous prizes. I am still charged up from the many Rockstar's I downed!

I can hardly wait till next year and I may try to do both SOCAL and NORCAL Picasso's then.

The social time between weigh-in and awards was incredible as it felt like a re-union of lost friends.

Thank you Vanessa and Greg of the Freediveshop for running the Picasso Open. Fantastic!

[thereefgeek]

Good times!!
Days like yesterday make you appreciate even more those days of 20+ feet of viz and glassy water.
The seas were big but the tournament was bigger.
Congrats to everyone who bothered to get in the water on Saturday the 12th
Great job to all the folks from the Freedive Shop and the sponsors that made this weekend such a blast!!! (too bad I don't drink Rockstar )

[Abdvrob]

Thank you Greg and Vanessa. Like the others stated, the comp was a blast. Too bad for the bad conditions, funny how 12 hours can make that much of a difference. But the comraderie was still there and the day was still good. I will definately be there again next year. Thanks again!

[Tino Bernazzani]

I have to say my wife and I had a great time.
It was a fantastic weekend that had plenty of highlights for me.
Had a chance to hook up with Tyson from the LA Fathomiers. Great guy that drove 10 hours to be there and shot his first vermilion the day before the comp while scouting.
I even made the board (for about 10 minutes) with a barely 9" ab that my wife convinced me to enter after I was pretty sure it was short. Thanks babe it was worth that new wetsuit I was so lucky to win.
Great big thanks to Greg and Vanessa as well, I'm looking forward to using the new Elite suit and hanging up the Apnea for good.

**But one of the biggest highlights for me to witness during the event was a random act of kindness that Eric Sabbe showed the day of the event.
Eric had a chance to pick 4th from a prize table that was filled with different wetsuits, fins, spearguns, and more.
But instead of adding to his gear bag he chose to let Jon Christofferson (a 15 year old junior competitor) pick in his place. Jon chose a new Yazbeck suit that he needed and was really fired up.
Eric, Your the man brother, that was one of the coolest acts of kindness that I've witnessed in a while. I am sure you made Jon's year.

I added a pic of Tyson's red.

[Fis_Hunter]

It was a great event and lots of fun and nice people and lots of good karma to Farris who did a little beach cleanup at first light. Yakfisher you might want to P.M. the reefgeek I think he may want to resell a gun

[fishSTICKer916]

I really wish i could have gone to the event... Well, theres always next year i guess. But its so FAR AWAY!!!

[Travis Jones]

What are you guys talking about? Conditions were great....for picking blackberries. After hanging with great friends, drinking tons of beer and eating Brad's killer Paella, a few of us hit the vines. I came home with a cooler full of abs and berries.

Thank you Freedive Shop and all of the generous sponsors who contributed to this event. Fish, or no fish, it's always great to get so many crazy spearos together in one place and tell war stories. Good times.

[Aircowboy]

Bummed I missed it but looks like good times!

[divingdesigns]

Thanks to everyone who helped put this event on. It was a blast. Conditions could have been nicer but that is the north coast. It was great to see eveyone, good food, good people and great prizes. Thanks to all who put in the hard work for the event.

[Icarus Pacific]

All that the others have said and more to the Freedive Shop and Caspar RV Campgrounds! Check my blog at www.*************.com/blog later today for a writeup.

edit- it's up.

[Orygun]

Thanks Greg and Vanessa, and everyone else who helped put on the contest, I had a great time. Winning a speargun in the raffle was a highlite for me! I'm going to try and do the so-cal next year. Looking forward to more great contest!

again, thanks

Daniel

[riobuster]

Originally Posted by Tino Bernazzani

**But one of the biggest highlights for me to witness during the event was a random act of kindness that Eric Sabbe showed the day of the event.
Eric had a chance to pick 4th from a prize table that was filled with different wetsuits, fins, spearguns, and more.
But instead of adding to his gear bag he chose to let Jon Christofferson (a 15 year old junior competitor) pick in his place. Jon chose a new Yazbeck suit that he needed and was really fired up.
Eric, Your the man brother, that was one of the coolest acts of kindness that I've witnessed in a while. I am sure you made Jon's year.

Last year Jon shot a nice greenling but dad was late getting him back to the check in so he couldn’t enter it. Needless to say I was dogmeat for that one and he has been planning for this year ever since! Conditions on Fri. only buoyed his hopes for Sat. He was a little less hopeful when we saw the water on Sat. and even less so when we saw divers 10 times better than us turning around a coming back in, but there was no way he was not going to go out and give it a try. After an hour I told Jon the conditions were getting too bad to stay out (it’s amazing how long 15-20 seconds seems when you are waiting for your son to resurface). I know he was bummed and would have stayed out there until the last second but he agreed to come in. I can’t thank Eric enough for his generosity! Not only did it truly make Jon’s year but also was a good lesson in kindness. Not to get too philosophical here but seeing everyone get together and have a great time despite the poor diving conditions (this goes for your event too Tino) also teaches a lesson.
Thank you, Greg and Vanessa for another great event! The potluck was great and Jon thought watching Greg shove 6 brownies in his mouth was HILARIOUS. I can’t wait for next year.

[matt mattison]

What evey one else has siad thanks greg and vanessa, awesome event, maybe next year the water will be better.

[divingdesigns]

Here are a few pics, and that was very cool what Eric did with his prize. First class act and something that will go a long way.