Announcing “The Blue Wild” Expo on June 5 and 6, 2010, in the magic city of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida!  It’s our fourth year, and we’ve outgrown our previous venue, so we are holding it at the prestigious and modern Broward County Convention Center.

We have plenty of action for spearos and freedivers, but we also have presentations and product demos for those interested in underwater photography or videography.  We have several world-class marine artists exhibiting their works, and many unique presentations — whether you want to learn more about blackouts, shark management, or dive history….we have something for everyone, including a Film Festival!

Speakers this year: Stan Waterman (famous underwater cinematographer), Dr. Jose Castro (world-renowned shark scientist), Rob Torelli (spearo and award-winning videographer), Pipin Ferreras , Manny Puig, Ron Mullins, Art Pinder, Dan MacMahon, Kirk Krack, Dimitris Kollias, and many more.

We have all the major brands represented and many Exhibitors who will give demos including Jay and Julie Riffe, Mark Laboccetta, Daryl Wong, Ray Powell, Guy Skinner, Roger Yazbeck, Shane Breedt, and more. The Expo also features practical hands-on Workshops and a huge Raffle at the end of each day with over $30K of prizes!

You won’t want to miss the Friday Evening Kick Off Party at the Marriott Courtyard on Ft. Lauderdale Beach — on the sundeck, right on the beach, drinks, music, and lots of fun. The nightlife in Ft. Lauderdale Beach is HOT, HOT, HOT!!!

For out-of-towners, our sponsoring hotel, the Marriott Courtyard on Ft. Lauderdale Beach is offering an amazing $89/room rate (on the beach), as is the Marriott Renaissance Hotel which is across the street and walking distance to the Convention Center. We recommend flying into Ft. Lauderdale airport and taking a taxi.

You can dive right off the beach during the day and party at the clubs and restaurants at night. But most of all, you won’t want to miss this amazing Expo on Saturday and Sunday! For hotel and other information, or to pre-register, go to www.thebluewild.com, or e-mail Sheri Daye at sheri.daye@yahoo.com.

Hi Competitive Chairs for USOA Clubs and Councils,

You will find attached the approved “U.S. National Freedive Spearfishing Championship bid for next years event.  Please pass this bid to your club/council/members so they can make plans for the 2010 event which will be hosted by the Midwest Diving Council (MDC) and held on Thursday, August 5, 2010 at Greers Ferry Lake in Heber Springs, Arkansas. This is going to be a great event at a beautiful new location.  You will be allowed to spear up to 15 game fish plus the normal rough fish.

One of the issues we will need to figure out is whether we will have a Mixed or Women’s team division this year.  I am asking each club to get back to me by May 31st with the tentative number of teams they would like to send for each of these divisions.

Also, as a reminder, this years National Championship scores will be added to 2011 National Championship scores to determine who will represent the U.S. at the 2011 Pan-American Spearfishing Championships and the 2012 World Spearfishing Championships.   The 2011 U.S. Nationals will be held somewhere in Florida most likely, so Florida divers have a big incentive to come in 2010 and work towards a World team berth.

Best Regards,

Dave Edlund

USOA National Skindiving Director

Final Bid for the 2010 Nationals

Next week Monday, December 28th from 4pm-6pm we need ALL fishermen, divers, boaters – ANYONE to show up at the State Capitol for a HUGE FISHERMANS RALLY!

This started as a rally to preserve fishing on Kapapa island, an area fished and taken care of by fishermen since the EARLY 1900s! Now the DLNR is on the verge of stripping fishermen of access to the island and rights to fish through administrative rule changes.

It was realized that this is not just a Kapapa Island issue! For years, shoreline fishermen, divers and boaters have been subject to many injustices of the DLNR. Kaena point, bottomfish closed areas, Northwest Hawaiian Islands, misdirected funding, unethical methods used to support no-fishing MPA’s AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON AND ON including countless LIES TO THE FISHERMEN!

This type of treatment is not only directed at the fishermen but at the hunting community as well!

It does not matter if you are a blue water diver, troller or shorecaster. If you fish you need to attend and SUPPORT YOUR FELLOW FISHERMAN! There are an estimated 200,000 of us out there in the state and we need every available body to show up! Lets show the DLNR in 2010 they need to start WORKING WITH US and not trying to EXTERMINATE OUR WAY OF LIFE!

Spread the word and mahalo for your support!

Listen to the Carol Cox Podcast for more information here

EVENT FLIER

LAKE WORTH, FL – November 1, 2009 – SpearoTek, Inc., the exclusive distributor of Beuchat International in the U.S., announced today that Team Beuchat-member, and 2009 National European Champion, Pedro Carbonell will be the special guest of honor at the Spear Wars Key Largo Open (KLO). Carbonell will be available to sign posters and pose for pictures at the event’s weigh-in on Sunday, November 8^th at the Key Largo Marriott Resort, Largo Key Conference Center in Key Largo Florida.

Carbonell, who is from the Balearic Islands, Spain, is one of the most successful spearfishing athletes in the world. Winning the 2009 European National Championship in Tipaza, Argelia made him one of only a handful of divers to win four European National Championships (Spain 1990, Menorca 1999, Portugal 2003, and Argelia 2009). In addition, Carbonell has won three individual world cups (Spain 1996, Tahiti 2000 and Brasil 2002). Only two other athletes, Pepe Amengual and Renzo Mazzari, have previously been named three-time world champions.

The KLO is part of the Spear Wars Blue Storm Tournament Series, which began in 2008 with the classic Spearboard Open (SBO), the Palm Beach Open (PBO) and KLO. In addition to each tournament’s large prize table, there is a special package of prizes and trophies for the Grand Champion, 2nd and 3rd place winners of the entire tournament series which will be awarded at the Key Largo Blue Storm Open at Marriott Key Largo Bay Beach Resort.

Founded in the 1930s, Beuchat has been involved in the development of all aspects of underwater activities. SpearoTek, Inc. is a leading U.S. wholesale distribution company for the most innovative spearfishing and freediving equipment from around the world. Through extensive research, development and testing, SpearoTek, Inc. is first when it comes to bringing cutting-edge spearfishing technology to U.S. markets.

LAKE WORTH, FL – October 29, 2009 – SpearoTek, Inc., the exclusive distributor of Beuchat International in the U.S., announced today that Team Beuchat-member, and 2009 National European Champion, Pedro Carbonell will be present for photos and autographs at the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA) 2009 Show in Orlando, Florida on Friday November 6^th and Saturday November 7^th. Carbonell will be available in the Beuchat Booth (# 857) at DEMA 2009.

Carbonell, who is from the Balearic Islands, Spain, is one of the most successful spearfishing athletes in the world. Winning the 2009 European National Championship in Tipaza, Argelia made him one of only a handful of divers to win four European National Championships (Spain 1990, Menorca 1999, Portugal 2003, and Argelia 2009). In addition, Carbonell has won three individual world cups (Spain 1996, Tahiti 2000 and Brasil 2002). Only two other athletes, Pepe Amengual and Renzo Mazzari, have previously been named three-time world champions.

The DEMA show, is the only international trade event for the diving, action water sports and travel industries. DEMA 2009 will take place at the Orange County Convention Center from Wednesday, November 4^th to Saturday, November 7^th, 2009. The show is not open to the public.

Founded in the 1930s, Beuchat has been involved in the development of all aspects of underwater activities. SpearoTek, Inc. is a leading U.S. wholesale distribution company for the most innovative spearfishing and freediving equipment from around the world. Through extensive research, development and testing, SpearoTek, Inc. is first when it comes to bringing cutting-edge spearfishing technology to U.S. markets.

The Pacific Coast Spearfishing Championships were held on Saturday, September 26th at Spooner’s Cove at Montana Del Oro State Park and this year they were hosted by GLACD.  It was the first time they have been held at this location since the 1970’s.  Montana Del Oro is located about 6 miles south of Morro Bay and when the fog lifted on meet day, you could see the majestic Morro Bay Rock fully exposed.

The PCC’s attract a hard core spearfishermen and this year it was no different.  Many past PCC individual champions were in attendance such as Rene Rojas, Dennis Haussler, Mike Pender, Brock Kennedy and Dan Silveira.  The camaraderie was great as usual!  Burgers at Sylvestors in Los Osos was fun after meet day!

The morning started out foggy and a long period swell dropped visibility considerably from the previous days.  The sheephead and reds headed to deeper water.  But the divers in the meet found fish, many of which were donated to needy families.

GLACD put together some outstanding looking award plaques with a bronze USOA medallion at their centerpiece.

For the third year in a row, Dan Silveira won the individual high aggregate and this year with a score of 106 points.  Dan’s catch also included the largest fish of the day, a 16 plus pound lingcod.  This is the third year in a row Dan has won high individual aggregate and that is a first in the long history of this event.  While attendance is not what it used to be,  Dan has won the event with scores averaging greater than 100 points which is a level that have been infrequently reached over the years, even when fish were more plentiful.   Most years, the top PCC scores are around 80 points and that is when the sheephead limit was generally 4 per diver.  This year, only one sheephead was allowed by GLACD compared to the daily State limit of 5.

Dan’s team which included Dave Edlund and Kale Pastel took high aggregate team honors with 225 total points.  This was Kales first ever spearfishing tournament!  Second place team honors went to Dennis Haussler, Rene Rojas and Paul Young with approximately 165 points.

LAKE WORTH, FL – September 15, 2009 – SpearoTek, Inc., the exclusive  distributor of Beuchat International in the U.S., announced today that  Team Beuchat member Kimi Werner placed 2nd in mixed competition with  partner Wayde Hayashi and 3rd in the women’s individual competition at  the 2009 USA Spearfishing Championships at Leo Carrillo State Beach,  Malibu California. Werner also received the All American Honors of being  the number one ranked woman to go to the Worlds. The 2009 USA  Spearfishing Championships took place on Thursday, August 6, 2009.

Werner flew to California early to put in three weeks of scouting before  the Championships. “It was hard and painful at times to get used to the  cold water and big waves that came in this year,” says Werner, who  started scouting with a 5mm Beuchat Camo wetsuit before upgrading to a  7mm Beuchat Elaskin suit. With the warmer suit, Werner really could  enjoy the California Coast. “Diving in the beautiful kelp forests and  learning all the new species of fish and other marine life was an  everyday adventure.”

Werner, who grew up on Maui, says, “People sometimes wonder why we do  this—why spend so much money and time to travel to a competition with no  cash prize attached. I used to think that perhaps it was for pride, or  for proving to oneself that goals can be accomplished. Now I realize  it’s so much more than that. It’s for the sake of sportsmanship,  teamwork, exploration, and perhaps above all, connecting with great  people who share the same enthusiasm and love towards all oceans.”

The 2009 Championships were Werner’s second United States National  Championships. Werner, along with partner Andy Tamasese, won the mixed  division of the 2008 USA National Championships of Spearfishing in Rhode  Island. Werner also won the titles of Women’s National Champion and  Rookie of the Year in 2008.

Founded in the 1930s, Beuchat has been involved in the development of  all aspects of underwater activities. SpearoTek, Inc. is a leading U.S.  wholesale distribution company for the most innovative spearfishing and  freediving equipment from around the world. Through extensive research,  development and testing, SpearoTek, Inc. is first when it comes to  bringing cutting-edge spearfishing technology to U.S. markets.

Independent film “The Cove” will be playing in select theaters in Hawaii on Friday, 8/28/2009 for one day only.  This film covers the controversial dolphin hunts of Japan and features freedivers Kirk Krack and Mandy-Rae Cruickshank.

For more information about the film, visit thecovemovie.com

For showtimes, visit consolidatedtheatres.com

Awards

Men’s Largest Fish: Justin Allen, Sheepsehead, 19.9 lbs
Women’s Largest Fish: Amanda Ernst, Sheepshead, 6.56 lbs
Men’s Novice Diver: Richard Balta
Women’s Novice Diver: Kelsey Albert

Men’s All American
Dennis Hausler, Bob Humphrey, Hanalei Adric, Justin Allen, Harold Gibson

Women’s All American
Anne Doherty, Kelsey Albert, Kimi Werner, Amanda Ernst

HONOLULU – Maui native and now Oahu resident, Kimi Werner, the 2008 women’s national spearfishing champion, is set to defend her title in Malibu, California tomorrow, August 6 as she competes in the 2009 U.S. Spearfishing Championships. Werner clinched the title last year by spearing a 33-pound striped bass, the largest fish caught in the woman’s division. It would have ranked second in the men’s division.

Primo Beer, a Hawaiian mainstay since 1897, is proud to support Werner at this year’s championships, as both spearfishing and Primo have deep Hawaiian roots.

In a primarily male-dominated sport, Werner has managed to stand out in both team and individual competitions. Despite only taking up the sport four years ago, she was also named rookie of the year last year after her title win.

The sport of spearfishing involves shooting a fish with a spear at close range calling on incredible strategy and skill. While Werner makes it look like underwater ballet, spearfishing can be dangerous if correct technique is not applied.

Tanks are not used in free-diving spearfishing. Spearfishers hold their breath underwater anywhere from two to four minutes. Typically Werner settles around 70 feet and surfaces after around two minutes.

“One of the best tricks a spearfisher can take advantage of is a fish’s curiosity. Fish see their world with their eyes and with vibrations picked up by their lateral line. By moving very slowly you can move in and approach them,” said Werner.

Growing up on Maui has meant that the 29 year-old’s life has revolved around the ocean. As a child, if Werner wasn’t swimming or playing in the water, she was enjoying family barbeques at the beach. “Barbeques are such a huge part of our culture here in Hawaii. I have fond memories of the laidback afternoons where family and friends would gather to barbecue, drink Primo and listen to Hawaiian music,” said Werner.

Spearfishing allows Werner to truly appreciate and respect the magnificence of the ocean. Werner recognizes that spearfishing is an ecologically sustainable form of fishing and a way of utilizing the ocean as a resource.  “We basically have one breath and one shot to catch our prey. This is the challenge that draws me to the sport. I like the fact that there’s no bycatch in this style of fishing. To me, spearfishing and conservation go hand in hand.  I like to think of the ocean as my refrigerator or grocery store. I only take what I need and always enjoy eating fresh fish.

“Sometimes we spearfishers hold meets to hunt only invasive species, such as ta’ape, toau, and roi. These are fish that destroy the reef and kill native fish. Invasive species tournaments save countless numbers of reef fish,” said Werner.

Werner follows an intense training schedule that begins at 5am. In addition to spearfishing, Werner practices different techniques and positions using a foam target anchored to the ocean floor. It’s not uncommon for Werner to spend more than 10 hours in the ocean on a single day.

Werner also manages to squeeze in the time to be an artist, known for her ocean-themed paintings, as well as a culinary school-trained chef. Her diving excursions are often the inspiration for her beautiful paintings of the wildlife and scenery, as well as the source of gourmet meals. In the past two years, after participating in the spearfishing championships, she has gone on to win the event’s Iron Chef-style cooking competition the same day.

Werner is very grateful of the support of Primo as she prepares to defend her title. “Primo has always been synonymous with the lifestyles of Hawaii’s watermen and women and I am happy that they continue to recognize this tradition by supporting me at the 2009 championships. Primo is Hawaii’s beer and I would love nothing more than to celebrate victory again this year by enjoying a Primo,” said Werner.

“Spearfishing has been a part of island culture for generations and we’re excited to be able to support Kimi,” said Kyle Wortham, Director of Marketing for Primo Brewing & Malting. “She is truly a renaissance woman and the perfect representative for both Hawaii and Primo.”

Primo is proud to be one of the sponsors of this year’s championships. For more information on the 2009 U.S. National Spearfishing Championships, visit: http://www.nationals09.com

About Primo

Primo dates back to 1897 when it was first brewed by Hawaiian Brewing and Malting Company. Today, Primo is a craft-brewed beer with a flavor developed specifically in Hawaii for Hawaii. Created by award-winning brewmasters Phil Markowski and Bob Newman, Primo has the smoothness and drinkability of a light lager with a satisfying taste for today’s beer drinkers.

Primo is also proud to support its surrounding communities by donating a portion of the proceeds from each case of Primo to nonprofit organizations that help preserve and perpetuate Hawaiian culture and environment.

For more information about Primo, visit www.primobeer.com.

About Primo Brewing & Malting Co.

Primo Brewing & Malting Co. is a division of Pabst Brewing Company. For more information about Primo beer, visit www.primobeer.com.