From Tavernier, FL to Vigo, Spain

Que bola? I thought it would be appropriate to start this entry with the common Cuban salutation. I guarantee you they'll be hearing plenty of that next year in Vigo, Spain for the world spearfishing championships. Congrats to the new 2012 USA spearfishing team, consisting of a line up of guys with Cuban heritage. Makes me proud to be a South Florida boy! I had the pleasure of meeting and photographing some of the guys at nationals this year down in Tavernier. Those Spanish boys better watch out in 2012.

The team will consist of Harolf Dean, Miguel Guinovart, Alex Bristol, Eric Salado, and Sergey Lopez. An extremely talented bunch of guys, that I have no doubt will rattle some cages next year. In early August I was fortunate enough to tag along with Dimitris Kollias from Deep World Wide Magazine to cover day 1 of nationals in Tavernier, FL. Eric Pinon from The Broward Longfins was nice enough to have us on the safety boat as we bounced from team to team. Since my work doesn't often take me into the spearfishing community, it was a hell of a learning experience diving with such an accomplished freediver/cameraman as Dimitris. I'm pretty sure he has a third lung stashed away somewhere.

                                                  Dimitris at work


It was a nice day for diving minus the visibility, which wasn't ideal given the flat and sunny conditions. Every team had to work hard to put fish on on the boat. Every fish was worth 1 point + its weight. Lots of margates and triggers taken to make weight. Not the most productive grounds, so everyone really had their work cut out. The largest fish was taken by Manny Diaz; a 31lb kingfish.

                                                       Trigger fish


There were some nice fish taken. As I was only there the 1st day, I did see some nice fish being weighed, but they were few and far between. That goes to show you how hammered that area gets. The boundaries ran from the south end of Penny Camp to Alligator Light, and you had to be 3 miles offshore. I know some teams ran offshore for pelagics. I don't think anyone scored, but that would have been one ballsy move if they ran into some dolphin are wahoo.

                                  One of the nicer fish landed on day 1 


Teams were rewarded for deeper dives. The guys working the 80ft to 100ft range seemed to be more successful. We accompanied the Miami Freedivers Team 1 for a good part of the day. That team consisted of Harolf Dean, Miguel Guinovart, and Jose Santeiro. They were working deep and producing some good fish. There were a hand full teams diving that range, and they were landing fish with more frequency than the teams staying shallow. Here's a shot of Alejandro Bristol coming up from a deep hunt.

                                          Alex Bristol on a deep hunt


Harolf Dean dominated the competition, and took both days 1 and 2. All in all it was a great experience. To read more about it go to http://www.deepww.com/online/

                                           Harolf Dean disposes of a jack

                             Dimitris accompanies Harolf on the surface

All in all it was a great experience, and again, congrats to the guys selectd to the 2012 USA team. Give'em hell.

Next week we should have finished reviewing some different pole spears along with dive knifes:Brands, and the best place to put'em. Like to hear from different people on where they like to place their knives, and what are some of their preferences.

Safe dives,
Raul Boesel Jr
www.rulophoto.com