Bournemouth Spearos

[chrisreynolds]

I agree wholeheartedly Rick. I too only turn up at the comp weigh ins just to see what the big boys are getting and say hello. Not really a big fan of the usual kill all you can format (though the LIC comp looks different, but the guys from that club would destroy me!). Comps are a good opportunity/excuse to meet up but so is a sunny sunday or the pub or even breakfast at a cafe or a barbecue on the beach.

I also reckon that the guys doing the comps (correct me if i'm wrong) would also enjoy more non competitive get togethers over a few beers and the odd burnt sausage. (think dorset spearo bbq but bigger)

I don't think anyone would laugh at anyone else, in fact i reckon everyone could learn something from others and theres nothing like a few beers to loosen the tongue.

I think the network is already in place for a more social club but, as beanflicker said, it just needs someone to grab the organisational bull by the horns and take charge (cough, rick). I imagine running a club would take real commitment and support which i guess depends on the enthusiasm of everyone involved.

 

[James T]

Guys - more to follow on this topic - once the Crystal Clear mag is issued by the BSA I'll post what the LIC are planning - it is a different format comp as per the pairs comp a few years ago at Portland which is good fun and not as serious as the nationals.

 

[kkdavids]

Hi Guys
I am the earlier mentioned chairman of the BSA! and i do live in Poole! Agree with all the comments earlier regarding getting the Wessex club up and running again (my Dad started it years ago back when he has chairman of the Bouremouth sub aqua club). One thing i would say thou is the BSA is not all about competitions (this is just a part of it), its about a representation of spearfishermen in the uk (whether they are competitive or not) - an example of this was the potential ban on spearfishing which came up last year, without an official representing body we may not still be talking about spearfishing now! At the end of the day we all enjoy the same thing, getting in the water and going fishing!

Has anyone got in yet? im planning on braving it tomorrow for an hour or so!! (probably less of the so!!!)

 

[Old Man Dave]

Just out of interest, do you (the BSA) still keep national spearfishing records? Do you have to be a member of the BSA (or any club) to claim or are they "open to anyone" records.

Dave.

 

[Gaz D]

It weren't me, Chris...wonder if he /she caught anything

Blimey, did you guys know the head of the BSA lives in Poole?? Am trying to get him along to the Spyglass meet - he reckons the Wessex spearfishing club only has 3 members!!!

This is craziness - everyone's keen to get in the water and spear, everyone needs a decent number of dive buddies to call on, there's got to be some use for a Wessex club even if you're not into competitive spearing...let's get something going again!

Rik,

I'm a member of the BSA (so I think that number might have risen to 4 now). Joined last year, mainly to get to know a few more spearos, pick up a bit of local info, get covered by their insurance, etc.

The Wessex Club section of the BSA already exists (so, presumably, I'm already a member). Haven't actually met any of the other menbers yet, but have spoken over the phone a couple of times, and they are very helpful and informative.

I'm probably gonna enter their competitions this year too (I am assured that they are open to, and regularly attended by, all standards of spearfisherman, so hopefully I won't look too out of place amongst them).

And they are fairly organised too: did you know that there is a proposed ban on projectile fishing going through the EU at the moment - the BSA are involved in trying to to get spearfishing exempt from this.

There are obviously pros and cons to everything, but it seems to me that if you are into spearfishing then the BSA is a useful organistaion to belong to, and they are trying to cut down on the numbers of fish that are taken during competitions by introducing new rules.


Gaz

 

[Gaz D]

Sorry KKDavids, didn't see your post before I posted myself.

People have been getting in and taking a few fish around the Portland area (see dorset thread).

I've been in myself a few times around the Poole area and our side of the Purbecks. Was in at Sandbanks yesterday and inside the harbour for a couple of hours (bit naughty, but there you go). Viz outside the harbour was not much more than 3 meters, the weed and kelp is starting to grow, and the bait fish have just started putting in an appearance - unfortunately I didn't see anything to shoot at, but I'm sure that all of that is just around the corner now.

All the best,

Gaz

 

[kkdavids]

Just out of interest, do you (the BSA) still keep national spearfishing records? Do you have to be a member of the BSA (or any club) to claim or are they "open to anyone" records.

Dave.

Hi Dave, yes we do keep records, they are on the BSA site (should be on my signature below) - Not sure if its BSA members only or not, will find out and let you know

 

[kkdavids]

Sorry KKDavids, didn't see your post before I posted myself.

People have been getting in and taking a few fish around the Portland area (see dorset thread).

I've been in myself a few times around the Poole area and our side of the Purbecks. Was in at Sandbanks yesterday and inside the harbour for a couple of hours (bit naughty, but there you go). Viz outside the harbour was not much more than 3 meters, the weed and kelp is starting to grow, and the bait fish have just started putting in an appearance - unfortunately I didn't see anything to shoot at, but I'm sure that all of that is just around the corner now.

All the best,

Gaz

sounds like the fish are moving in. Had a quick dive at lulworth today, but very quiet... week or so of this nice weather should pick up the sea temp and brng the fish in (hope so anyway!)

 

[Gaz D]

sounds like the fish are moving in. Had a quick dive at lulworth today, but very quiet... week or so of this nice weather should pick up the sea temp and brng the fish in (hope so anyway!)

I was at Lulworth Sunday afternoon (see Dorset thread), didn't see any other spearos. Lovely day though

 

[Gaz D]

I've cut and pasted it for you:

Dropped in at Lulworth Sunday and turned right out of the cove towards Stair Hole.

Viz was superb (it had to be at least 10 meters in places). Kelp and weed beginning to grow nicely, bait fish swimming about, and a few wrasse on the bottom.

Quite a few boats about so had to keep one eye on them and stick close to the cliffs in order to avoid being mown down - which is how I managed to miss the only spearable fish I saw in two and a half hours. I was half watching a motor boat doing some pointless circles as I was coming back into the cove when I bumped head-on into four very big mullet. But by the time I had brought the gun to bear they were out of range.

Lovely day though - positively mediterranean in the water, in terms of vis.

 

[Mr. X]

And they are fairly organised too: did you know that there is a proposed ban on projectile fishing going through the EU at the moment - the BSA are involved in trying to to get spearfishing exempt from this.
...
Gaz

Hi Gaz, Yes we are aware of it and have been very active in fighting it. See the associated threads on the forum (search for "EU proposed ban" & the number 10 petition*, now closed). The good news is that the proposed changes were intended to simplify existing rules rather than to ban spearfishing in Atlantic waters (as clarified by Comissioner Borg of the EU!). They are now well aware of this unintended consequence and have made accomodation with a specific exclusion for recreational spearfishing. [BTW Some of the signatures of support came from readers of The Field magazine & the Countryside Alliance. There was concern over larger issues such as loss of ancient freedoms & careless draughting of laws].

 

[KWM]

Its fair to say that whilst the BSA were activerly involved in fighting such a re-writing on the rules, so where a great deal of non BSA members, many of whom are members of DB.

I was secretary of the BSA for the last two years in that time I was involved in fighting two peices of anti spearing legislation, a proposed ban in south wales and the European rule changes. Prior to that I was also involved with another member of the Sussex Spearfishing club in developing the voluntary code of conduct for sussex waters. This came about after sussex sea fisheries commitee told us that spearfishing was illegal in sussex waters.

As a point of intrest do people know the extent of the sussex sea fisheries area?

Dungerness to Hayling island.

Kev

 

[tonyiannu]

Hi all
I been diving on Sunday morning I havent seen to much a part a big seabream that saw me first and disappered like a rocket but the most disappointed think was that I was freezing.I managed to stay in the water for only half hour and when i went back to the car I coudnt move my fingers and feet.Never felt so bad.When I read about you guys staing like Gaz for 2 hours and half I start to shiver how it is possible? Yesterday I was wearing a 5mm omer wetsuit with 4mm gloves and 5mm booties. Should I wear the 7mm wetsuit? I have one but it doesnt make me feel confortable. Or I should wait the end of April for a warmer dive?

 

[James T]

Same for me Toni - I have to wear 7mm until it gets above 11deg otherwise I just get too cold. (I wear a 1mm neoprene vest aswell) I am not very tough.

James

 

[foxfish]

Tony, I usually start my season in May but I wear a 3mm shorty over my 5mm suit, you can buy a shorty from any surf shop from about £20 (I paid £12.95 for my last one)
I also use 5mm gloves & 5mm boots until the temp gets around 12-14 then I go for 3mm.

 

[UK Spearo]

or eat lots of pies

 

[Gaz D]

Hi all
I been diving on Sunday morning I havent seen to much a part a big seabream that saw me first and disappered like a rocket but the most disappointed think was that I was freezing.I managed to stay in the water for only half hour and when i went back to the car I coudnt move my fingers and feet.Never felt so bad.When I read about you guys staing like Gaz for 2 hours and half I start to shiver how it is possible? Yesterday I was wearing a 5mm omer wetsuit with 4mm gloves and 5mm booties. Should I wear the 7mm wetsuit? I have one but it doesnt make me feel confortable. Or I should wait the end of April for a warmer dive?

Tony,

I've spent a large part of my working life getting very cold and wet, and its f****d me up. I never want to get cold again, as long as I live, ever!

I was wearing a 7mm Omer Cayman wetsuit (long johns and jacket) with a thin (1mm or 2mm) open cell under-vest that I bought from Dave at spearo. I also had on a pair of Mares Tri-Gloves (5mm on the outside, 3mm on the palm) and a pair of Picasso 7mm open cell socks, that I bought from Dave Bailey.

I was as warm as toast, and reckon I could have stayed in all day.

One drawback: you need a lot of lead to sink that lot, so wouldn't recommend diving too deep (beyond 10 meters). I'm waiting (and waiting) on a weight harness from Dave @ Spearo uk so that all of that lead isn't concentrated on one place on my spine - because I had quite a back ache when I did get out of the water.

I've tried the shortie over the top of the 5mm open cell suit and that seem to work quite well too.

Wearing all that gear can be quite restrictive out of the water, but once I'm in I find its ok.

I'm not an expert on spearfishing mate, but I'm a quick learner when it comes to keeping warm.

Hope that was helpfull in some way,

Gaz

 

[Gaz D]

or eat lots of pies

Oh yeah, forgot that bit: I eat lots of pies too!

 

[podge]

Someone mention pies????roflrofl

 

[James T]

Gaz - I used to get a back ache aswell - I started doing some lower back strengthening exercises and plenty of pressups - no more back ache. Then I switched over to the harness I bought off Dave and haven't looked back its much nicer IMHO to distribute the weight around.