Who is this course for?

For novices and moderately experienced spearfishermen/women. This course is not designed for advanced underwater hunters, though it is quite probable that they would learn something as this course is based on personal experience rather than simply being a transfer of existing public knowledge. If you want to learn more about spearfishing in the Port Elizabeth area it is great as it covers information that will fast-track your success.

Yellowtail taken on Zephyrs Wall, Cape Receife, Port Elizabeth

                        Background

   There are a number of ways of fast tracking your progress in any field:

• Study all you can about the topic
• Study specific courses on it
• Get a mentor who can guide and advise you as you progress
• Freedive.co.za offers this course in spearfishing.

So what qualifies me to teach this course? 17 years of spearfishing and freediving experience as well as the fact that I have been in the teaching and research game (in chemistry) for 16 years. Also see about the founder for further background information.

    Springbok Spearo with a 10 kg Garrick taken at Noorhoek, Port Elizabeth              I call this baardman nearer for a picture

       My diving CV is as follows: 

    To help you decide if you want to purchase a course read my CV.

• South African Spearfishing Records: four
• Representation of Eastern Province in various spearfishing competitions and Nationals.
• Represented SA as Springbok Spearfisherman in 2007 - we qualified South Africa for the World Champs in 2008.
• Currently Ranked # 3 in South Africa (October 2007).
• Won the 2007 Tony Dicks Spearfishing Competition.
• Dive for the Dolphin underwater club and twice we won the the Interclub competitions..
• Our team (Eastern Province won SA Nationals in 2006 - I was sea-captain of that team).
• Have held breath for over five minutes,
• Dived to 53 meters on breathhold with ease and spearfished to 40 m.
• 17 years of experience in shore and boat diving
• Have over 1300 dives as experience.
• More than 6000 hours spent at sea.
• I have to date only scuba dived once.
• Seventeen years of experience in teaching, lecturing and mentoring students.

     Rd Stumpnose on RIY banks                            Jutjaw at Cape Receife                                                 Musselcracker

What's it all about?

The objectives of this course are:

·  To inform you of what equipment you need and to be comfortable and successful in your spearfishing.

·  To train you in techniques that make you efficient.

·  To explain various spearfishing techniques or strategies.

·  To tell you where and when to spearfish for optimum success.

·  To indicate potential hazards and minimization of risk to such hazards.

·  To point out relevant legislation (South African) and spearfishing ethics.

·  To supply practical tips to enhance your success - little-big things that make all the difference to your success.

In summary, SKILLS TRANSFER.

                              Speared musselcracker at Seaview

        Course Outcome:

A spearfisherman/woman who knows how to freedive, hunt fish, and select appropriate equipment, and techniques to allow him/her to spear quality fish. He/she will have an increased ability to predict when and where to dive for improved spearfishing.

             A red steenbras approaches my camera                                                Speared at Bushy Park                           

The skills you will learn for spearfishing need not apply only to spearfishing – you may which to take up photography and shoot on film – the stealth of a freediver will permit close-up photographs of fish that fear scuba bubbles and their noise. You may simply want to dive but not have to rent, buy or carry heavy scuba gear.

This course will take you through the necessary steps to achieve the objective and hence outcome. First the equipment you will require is described, then hunting techniques, next methods of training, thereafter the conditions for improved success are covered and, a section on cautions that warns of potential hazards.

Throughout the course I include quotes of, how should I put it, "genetically advanced", individuals that give some insight as to what attitudes will create success.

   Prerequisites

• The chief prerequisite is a willingness to learn to freedive
• Be able to swim
• Moderate physical fitness
• Medical fitness

There are two options - either attend the course physically here you attend lectures and there is pool training included. Alternately can do it by correspondence - you receive an electronic copy and work through it yourself. Obviously the physical attendance is superior to the correspondence but the I feel there must be flexibility to cater for those unable to attend.

Also see the spearfishing mentorship option.

Costs

Option 1 Course attendance - R695 includes lectures as well as pool training. For pool training you should have a mask, snorkel, wetsuit optional but recommended, weightbelt, fins and booties or socks. 

Option 2 Correspondence - R395 Here you can study at your own pace and at your convenience. This option excludes lecture attendance and pool training - those would be done by yourself in your own time. Obviously safety is a greater issue and must be carefully considered.

                                                  A red stumpnose in the "Kom" Port Elizabeth

Speared stump                                                                                    Student target practice

Skills Transfer