What to Expect from Your Basic Spearo Course

Key Points:

Beginner-Friendly Training: No prior diving experience required, ideal for newcomers.
Comprehensive Skill Development: Learn diving techniques and spearfishing skills including speargun handling and fish tracking.
Local Marine Insight: Understand the behaviors and habitats of local fish species such as Hottentot, Cape Galjoen, and more.
All-Inclusive Course: Includes all necessary gear, a spearfishing license, and federation membership.

Introduction:

Embark on an underwater adventure with Apnea Addicts Freediving’s Basic Spearfishing Course, tailored for newcomers eager to explore the exciting world of spearfishing. This comprehensive course combines essential diving techniques with specific training on how to safely and effectively engage in spearfishing in False Bay’s vibrant marine environment.

Course Overview:

Designed for those with little to no diving experience, the Basic Spearfishing Course offers a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Participants will gain a foundational understanding of various diving and spearfishing techniques needed to begin their journey as spearos. This includes learning about the spearguns commonly used in the area, how environmental factors like winds and currents affect fish behavior, and essential safety and rescue procedures.

Extensive Training Modules

Basic Diving Skills: Covers fundamentals of freediving, focusing on breath control, safe ascent and descent, and efficient finning techniques.
Speargun Handling: Detailed instruction on choosing, maintaining, and operating spearguns, with practical exercises to master loading and unloading in a variety of water conditions.
Environmental Education: Sessions designed to instill a deep appreciation for marine biodiversity and the importance of sustainable fishing practices.

Local Marine Life and Spearfishing Techniques

Hottentot (Cape Bream):

Habitat: Commonly found in the lush kelp forests along the Western Cape’s Atlantic coast. These fish thrive in waters ranging from 2 to 40 meters deep.
Behavior: Hottentots are sociable fish that often form shoals, making them predictable yet challenging due to their numbers.
Spearfishing Strategy: Participants learn how to navigate the kelp forests to locate Hottentots effectively. Using a speargun sized between 80-100cm, like the Freedivers Horizon 90cm, is recommended for optimal maneuverability and precision. Techniques include stealthy approaches and targeting from a distance to avoid startling the shoal.
Conservation and Limits: The course emphasizes responsible fishing practices, adhering to a daily bag limit of 10 to ensure sustainability.

Cape Galjoen:

Habitat: Found in rocky shallow waters, this fish is a staple along the South African coastline but is known for its elusive nature.

Behavior: The Cape Galjoen is extremely cautious, often giving spearos only a brief opportunity to make a successful shot. It is known for its quick reactions to any disturbances in the water.
Spearfishing Strategy: Techniques focus on minimizing noise and movements. Participants practice approaching targets slowly and calmly to prevent spooking the fish. Precision aiming is crucial as the opportunity to spear a Galjoen usually comes just once per encounter.
Conservation and Limits: With a bag limit of two, the course teaches the importance of selective fishing, targeting only mature specimens to help preserve the population.

Red Roman:

Habitat: Prefers deeper rocky areas and kelp beds, ranging from 15 to 45 meters deep, where it lives in small family groups.
Behavior: Red Romans are territorial and can exhibit bold behaviors when approached. They often retreat into caves or crevices when threatened.
Spearfishing Strategy: Advanced training includes techniques for approaching cave-dwelling species without causing distress. Participants learn how to coax the fish out of hiding using gentle taps on the rocks with the spear shaft and how to maintain a respectful distance to avoid provoking aggression.
Conservation and Limits: The bag limit for Red Roman is two. The course covers the ethical considerations of spearing such a rare species, emphasizing the need for conservation-minded practices.

Two-Toned FingerFins (Butterfish):

Habitat: Typically found around rocky outcrops and within seaweed beds.
Behavior: Although common, larger Butterfish are cunning and can be challenging to spear due to their agility and the protective nature of their hard scales.
Spearfishing Strategy: This section of the course focuses on precision targeting and proper spear handling to penetrate the tough scales of larger Butterfish. Techniques include close-range spearing to ensure maximum impact and strategies to avoid spear damage against the rocks.
Conservation and Limits: Participants are encouraged to target only abundant sizes and to practice catch-and-release with smaller or breeding-age fish to promote sustainability.

Age and Health Requirements:

Minimum Age: Participants must be at least 8 years old to enroll in the Basic Spearfishing Course. This age requirement ensures that younger participants are capable of comprehending the instructions and handling the physical demands of the sport under supervision.
Medical Fitness: All participants are required to be medically fit for diving activities. Prior to the start of the course, participants must submit a medical clearance form signed by a licensed physician. This form assesses the participant’s ability to withstand the physical stresses associated with freediving and spearfishing, including cardiovascular health and lung function.

Experience and Skills:

No Prior Diving Experience Needed: The course is designed to accommodate beginners with no previous diving experience. It provides a comprehensive introduction to freediving and spearfishing, ensuring that all participants start with a solid foundation of knowledge and skills.
Swimming Ability: While extensive diving experience is not required, participants should possess basic swimming skills. Comfort in water is crucial, as it ensures safety during in-water training sessions and builds confidence as participants learn more advanced diving techniques.

Legal Requirements:

Liability Waivers and Consents: Participants (or their guardians, in the case of minors) are required to sign liability waivers. These waivers acknowledge the risks associated with spearfishing and freediving and confirm the participant’s consent to engage in the course activities.
Spearfishing License: The course includes the issuance of a spearfishing license, which is mandatory for engaging in spearfishing activities. Participants will learn about the legal aspects of spearfishing, including size and bag limits for different species, and the importance of adhering to local and national fishing regulations.

Safety Protocols and Rescue Training Comprehensive safety training is a cornerstone of the course, ensuring that participants are prepared for any emergencies. This includes:

Rescue Techniques: Practical drills on rescuing a fellow diver in distress, managing diving accidents, and emergency ascent procedures.
First Aid and CPR: Basic first aid skills tailored to water-related injuries and CPR certification.

Course Inclusions and Benefits

Comprehensive Gear Setup: Participants are equipped with the latest spearfishing gear tailored to the local marine environment.
Licensing and Regulations: Detailed guidance on adhering to local fishing laws to ensure responsible spearfishing.
Extended Network: Graduates become part of a community that offers ongoing support and opportunities for advanced courses.

Conclusion:

The Basic Spearfishing Course at Apnea Addicts Freediving offers an immersive introduction to spearfishing, equipping novices with the skills, knowledge, and ethical understanding necessary to pursue the sport responsibly. With a strong emphasis on safety, conservation, and community involvement, this course prepares participants for a fulfilling journey into the world of spearfishing.

Charl Marais