Diving without the walker: How "old" is "too old" for spearfishing?

[Ricksafer]

Diving without the "walker" How old is "too old" for spearfishing?

In my view there's no such a thing as "too old" for enjoying the sport we
have embraced for all our, in my case, quite long lives. It's a matter of
physical, mental and emotional state.

Given a reasonably healthy physical condition, no medical "no-nos", as heart
conditions,or any other really limiting condition it's perfectly possible to
continue spearfishing and free-diving "till death do us part" from our
beloved sea.:inlove

Of course, our exploits will be adapted to be compatible with our particular
situation. No more "testosterone induced" pushing the limits, no more "show
off", nobody to impress any more.
Just a simple, safe and wonderful diving experience within our own comfort zone
having taken all safety measures and precautions more to the letter than
when, not so long ago (in our minds...) we were both immortal and invincible.

The baby boomer generation is still going strong after 65, myself a glorious
67, my lawyer a whooping 85 and he still goes spearfishing. I consider him
the most impressive case of "geronto-diver" I've known.

Depths will be shallower but not less attractive, apnea times will be
shorter but no less fulfilling, catches may not be as numerous but they
certainly will be as exciting!

I'd love to get statistics on how many spear- freedivers over 65 are still
active. I wouldn't be surprised to learn more about what I already know. We
"oldies" might not do IT deeper, or Longer, but we still do it and enjoy it!

Like I like to say: Today's 60's are yesterday's 40', on steroids!"

 

[Bill]

I enjoyed reading the words young fella' but I'm not quite ready to give up on the 'deeper and longer' yet.

 

[vali]

i don't think that age can be a problem...
of course i'm just 45 of age and perhaps is not my place to talk here
however, from what i.ve read in the first post, we seem to have the same glorious feeling for the water...
i can feel that in your heart and mind, you are young [like you, I feel that yesterday I was 20 years of age)]
my mentor in spear-fishing techniques wil celebrate his 81 birth-day in the next saturday
at 75 he shurrely dived for spearfishing mullets, but he had an accident and he broke his leg [on dry land]....after that had some recuperatory time in bed and that keped him away from diving...
but i remember that man [at his 75 years], diving with no problems at 8-9 m in aspetto
so...i gues that "too old for spearfishing" is a verry relative term...

 

[Ms Mer]

Age is a state of mind I believe - sometimes the body tries to tell us otherwise! My mum is 81 and is so active that she would give many 60 year olds a run for their money. She keeps talking about "one day when she gets old". She has a healthy disregard for her age and it's great. Like Vali, I'm 45 and I only took up the sport last year and hope to be diving for many years to come as it's that love of the water that draws me. So I don't think there is a cut off age. Like you say Ricksafer, there is no such thing as too old.