Thread: Intro to spearfishing

Good evening Gentlemen.
My boy (14 yo) is keen to try Spear fishing.
I used to scuba dive last century but have been out of tje game for a while.
Would something like this represent good value?
https://www.wettie.co.nz/products/pa...shing-package/

I would be grateful for any advice from those in the know.
Thanks in advance.
Chur.

All good entry level gear.
Only difference between the two big brands of suits in nz is length
Wettie being the longest

Looks like a reasonable package. Consider a course for him. Freediving has some risks.

Second a course or joining a local club. Make sure he has a dive buddy. Easy for youngsters to get carried away and push their limits too far. At the very least have him watch some online safety info - this guy is very American but good outline of the basics http://freedivingsafety.com also noobspearo podcast has some good stuff on it.

I will be with him. I have done a lot of scuba diving in the past, but not in the last 20 years. I am looking at a set for myself too.

Shallow water blackout is a huge risk to new freedivers, even if you are experienced in SCUBA. Seriously, consider a breeding course.

Sounds interesting

That's a good deal for new kit. If there's any thought of chasing kingfish at some point then the longer 110 gun might be the go. But getting started a 90-100 will cover most things. Can always trade up later if he's really keen on it.

Shallow water blackout certainly isn't just an issue for beginners. In fact experienced divers who become capable of diving deeper for longer have to be particularly aware of the risks and the physiology involved. As mentioned the key for beginners is to not be competing against themselves for longer and longer dives.

It's a great sport and very rewarding being able to outsmart and harvest some great table fare. Hopefully summer delivers some good conditions.

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Thanks men. We will just start snorkeling and go from there. baby steps.

As a 14yr old, just get him out into the shallows and lots of it. Somewhere with good visibility, accessible by foot (or boat if you have one) and he can stuff around stalking fish that in future he won’t be bothered with but will have heaps of fun. Leatherjackets are a perfect starting point I get my 9 year old onto and they eat well too

Getting used to moving around in the water, lining up shots, reloading guns and untangling lines etc will take a lot of time and he can do it in a fun, relatively safe environment. I still find myself stuffing around in the shallows sometimes enjoying the marine world. Looking around for butterfish and shallow crays etc.

Don’t take it too seriously for the time being is what I’d suggest and if he likes it then by that time he’ll start to make friends with others who will be able to push the boundaries a bit further

Exactly bro. that's the plan. Just get him used to the environment. Got a boat and some sweet spots in mind.

That's a great suggestion actually. If you have a gopro or other waterproof housed camera with a floatie handle would be a great way to learn how to figure out fish and learn relaxation and non threatening behavior so the inquisitive ones come in closer or at least don't spook. That'd be a great first step towards spearing some nice fish later on.

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Originally Posted by Bol Tackshin

Shallow water blackout is a huge risk to new freedivers, even if you are experienced in SCUBA. Seriously, consider a breeding course.

I think he wants to get him into diving, not shagging

But seriously, I third all the recommendations about doing a course. I (dry) drowned holding my breath for too long when young and dumb. VERY fortunate that I had mates close by.

Originally Posted by Bol Tackshin

Shallow water blackout is a huge risk to new freedivers, even if you are experienced in SCUBA. Seriously, consider a breeding course.

Not necessarily only a risk for new freedivers. I've lost 2 very experienced and accomplished mates to SWB over the years.
A freedive course will definitely help with the theory, safe breathing-up techniques, and how to manage a SWB situation if you are the buddy on the surface.

Starting out, and playing in the shallows (5M and less), the risk of a SWB is very low, while still putting you in a good position to gather Paua, Crays, Moki, Butterfish etc.

SWB is often an issue for beginners and the very experienced for different reasons.

New divers tend to hyperventilate not knowing the danger it causes, I was guilty of this. Hyperventilating delays the body's urge to breathe. To avoid this just try not to think about your breathing before a dive and just breathe as you are now.

Experienced divers just tend to push the limits too much at times ie. waiting for that big kingi that has been hanging out the back then shooting it at the end of your breath-hold then keeping pressure on it as you attempt to swim up.

As Quentin said learn how to recover a diver who has had a SWB, also practice it. If you are buddy diving it is surprisingly easy to recover a blacked out diver once you drop their weight belt.