Anyone from Port Elizabeth, South Africa?

[Ricochet]

Anyone here lives at that end of the world?
How is the diving there and spearfishing?
There seem to be some nice beaches but its probably too cold at this time of the year.

My employer sends me there for several months and I don't want to sit at home whenever I have some sparetime (or speartime? )

[island_sands]

Originally Posted by Ricochet

Anyone here lives at that end of the world?
How is the diving there and spearfishing?
There seem to be some nice beaches but its probably too cold at this time of the year.

My employer sends me there for several months and I don't want to sit at home whenever I have some sparetime (or speartime? )

oh very nice indeed, you are close to Jefferys Bay mate, and not far from some good shark diving.
Its very stormy in PE at this time but getting closer to October November its very pleasant. Where are you staying? A friend of mine owns a nice 2bed apartment by the sea, close to all amenities including bottle store (liquor store ). You can contact him at heinrich246@yahoo.com - the rent is only ZAR 2500 a month! (360 USD) which is a song!

[bluecape]

Hi Ricochet

Very nice spearing, especially if you can get use of a boat. If not, also great shore diving a little further ( 25 miles) away around a place called St Francis. If you go to St Francis and find a small Estate / Property agency as you drive into town, the local spearo works there and is always keen to take guests out. Do'nt know his name, but any fishing shop in St Francis will be able to hook you up with him!

Last word mate, do'nt dive alone out there. White Sharks like the place!
Enjoy.

Jeff

[Ricochet]

Originally Posted by island_sands

oh very nice indeed, you are close to Jefferys Bay mate, and not far from some good shark diving.
Its very stormy in PE at this time but getting closer to October November its very pleasant. Where are you staying? A friend of mine owns a nice 2bed apartment by the sea, close to all amenities including bottle store (liquor store ). You can contact him at heinrich246@yahoo.com - the rent is only ZAR 2500 a month! (360 USD) which is a song!

Ah good to know that there is someone who knows the local liquers, liquids, and waters
I'll be long enough in PE to try the whole range of south african redwine
I have no idea where I'll live. Guess I'll know it within the next days. My company has rented a house where two co-workers live at the moment. But they will leave SA in a few days. So I'll have the whole house for my own
An apartment at the sea sound very nice though!
Is Heinrich from Germany, too? His name let me assume it.

[Ricochet]

Originally Posted by bluecape

Hi Ricochet

Very nice spearing, especially if you can get use of a boat. If not, also great shore diving a little further ( 25 miles) away around a place called St Francis. If you go to St Francis and find a small Estate / Property agency as you drive into town, the local spearo works there and is always keen to take guests out. Do'nt know his name, but any fishing shop in St Francis will be able to hook you up with him!

Last word mate, do'nt dive alone out there. White Sharks like the place!
Enjoy.

Jeff

Aiaiai, sounds very nice. Thanks for the tip. I'll try to find some local spearfishers. Espeacially since I'm a beginner spearo (if you can call me that), who needs any help I can get
Can I buy spearguns down there? I don't want to bring mine with me... makes me look like I'm going on holiday

At the moments its not the GWS's that worry me. Driving on the left lane does!
Though, this will change with the first shark encounter....

[bluecape]

You can buy guns in Capetown, I'm sure there must be a place in P.E. that will sell as well.

Are you going to get to Cape Town at any stage? Also, what dates are you in PE? I do regular trips to spear in Knysna, which is about 3-4 hours away from PE. Will be happy to take you out and lend you a gun if we hook up.

Jeff

[island_sands]

Originally Posted by Ricochet

Ah good to know that there is someone who knows the local liquers, liquids, and waters
I'll be long enough in PE to try the whole range of south african redwine
I have no idea where I'll live. Guess I'll know it within the next days. My company has rented a house where two co-workers live at the moment. But they will leave SA in a few days. So I'll have the whole house for my own
An apartment at the sea sound very nice though!
Is Heinrich from Germany, too? His name let me assume it.

no... he is a pure South African (Afrikaner) and they often have German names. Have some red wine for me!!!!! And a good steak

[chris the vis]

Ahoy Ricochet
I'm a student staying in P.E..The water at the moment is about 16C so it aint so bad depending on your preferences. I dive with a 5mm suit and can last usually about an hour or three depending on how active I am. Right now there's a nasty cold front making it's way over us and the sea is looking rather undiveable, but last week was good with some of my friends shooting some small musselcrakers in the 6-11kg size range off shore dives in the bay, Also elf/shad, bronze breams, red roman have been spotted. As far as kit goes, we mostly order our stuff from durban or cape town as the local dive shops mostly cater for scuba dudes. So it's probably best to bring your own gun and kit or get it in CT/durban if you go past there. I'm sure we can make a plan for you if you arrive in PE without these things though. Like bluecape said St Francis and Eerste Rivier are just around the corner from us,about an hr&half drive. Although I have not dived there myself yet, it's well known for it's fish and I'm planning to make a hunting mission there soon. Hopefully, we'll have a boat sorted out soon and can then start doing some diving further out along the pinnacles and hunt some yellow tail.
Anyway I'm sure you'll enjoy the diving here if the sea plays along. Let me know when you're planning to visit us!

[Yogaman]

Hey Ricochet,

Just shot up to J-Bay/Cape St Francis on a nine-day surf-trip . Viz not that good for the most part, but did get a couple of diveable days. One day at Seal Point was coldish but decent viz (about 8 to 10 metres). Haven't dived the area often, but there seems like loads of spearing potential in the area.

Also, you'll have plenty spearing/diving options if you find time for weekend trips up and down the coast

[chris the vis]

Oh, you may want to check this site out for interest sake. Don't think it's been updated for a while, but it can give you an idea of what to expect:http://spearfishing.webvision.co.za
And also if you do make a stop at cape town you may wanna stock up on wine, brandy, fortified wines, witblits and mampoer (local schnaps). We could perhaps discuss the feasibility of freediving in these liquids in another thread, though the after effects may be more than just a CO2 headache, hmm?possibly even worse than the bends.

[island_sands]

Originally Posted by chris the vis

We could perhaps discuss the feasibility of freediving in these liquids in another thread, though the after effects may be more than just a CO2 headache, hmm?possibly even worse than the bends.

jeez are you hard core or what !

[bluecape]

Originally Posted by island_sands

jeez are you hard core or what !

Hey Sara

The mans a student!! All students are hardcore

Those were the days hey, when you could dive all day, party at full volume until sunrise, slam down a coffee, and start the whole process over! Weeee.

Jeff

[island_sands]

Originally Posted by bluecape

Hey Sara

The mans a student!! All students are hardcore

Those were the days hey, when you could dive all day, party at full volume until sunrise, slam down a coffee, and start the whole process over! Weeee.

Jeff

too true.. but you missed something important in your list...

[bluecape]

I did yes. But I guess It could fall under the 'full volume' part??

[Ricochet]

Originally Posted by island_sands

no... he is a pure South African (Afrikaner) and they often have German names.

Ah yes, that was my second assumption.

Originally Posted by island_sands

Have some red wine for me!!!!! And a good steak

You can bet your bottom dollar
I was told that the steaks are great there.



@Chris
My flight is already on Sunday.
( <sarcasm>The company really gives me a lot of time to organize things</sarcasm> )
I'll stay at least untill end of september.
I guess thats long enough to spend some time in the water or to consume its derivatives
I fear that my luggage is limited to 20kg (I'll know more on friday). So I'll only be able to bring some basic equipment with me. Like a wetsuit, mask, snorkel and maybe my fins if they fit into the bag.