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.

Story: Jumped over to check on a tako that I spotted from my kayak, but I lost the hole while getting my gear.

I spotted 3 uku in a group at 40 ft. Dove on the uku, selected the largest of the 3 fish. I shot my 3-prong down at an angle.

Prongs entered just blow it’s dorsal fin, exited in the middle of the fish. Fish immediately began spasming. I captured and brained it.

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

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