Freediving and Spearfishing in Yorkshire?

[markw]

Hi All,

After being a regular freediver since the mid 80's until around 2001-ish (I'm original member number 5 of the British Freediving Association!), I've had a bit of a layoff from regular freediving, mainly due to having had kids.
Now my kids are a bit older I've started to get back into freediving and spearing again, and recently booked myself onto one of Saltfree's courses at the NDAC to get my AIDA 2* (which didn't exist back at the time I was freediving regularly) and rekindle that desire inside me to being under the surface.

I've been away from it such a long time it's like a new start for me - my fitness is better than it was 12 years ago having started cycling, swimming and Yoga regularly, so I'm coming back into it with a renewed enthusiasm.

I'm also giving it some healthy respect - one of the reasons I stopped freediving so much is a fairly silly solo-dive blackout incident after a 20m dive in menorca, which made me realise I need to be careful and dive with a buddy.

So - are there any clubs in the North UK who dive and train regularly that I can tag along with, or anyone who fancies buddying up for regular training and coastal trips? I also used to spearfish although I'm a pretty poor shot, so that could do with regular practice too

Mark.

 

[TiminYorkshire]

I'm just starting out at Spearfishing and so far have tried spots between Recar and Kettleness, about to move to Staithes so happy to have someone more experienced tag along! (Still to shoot something!)

I've got a hectic month coming up with a shutdown at work (big chemical plant) but should be hitting the water a lot from the back end of April, hopefully there'll be some vis by then!

 

[markw]

I'm just starting out at Spearfishing and so far have tried spots between Recar and Kettleness, about to move to Staithes so happy to have someone more experienced tag along! (Still to shoot something!)

I've got a hectic month coming up with a shutdown at work (big chemical plant) but should be hitting the water a lot from the back end of April, hopefully there'll be some vis by then!

End of April should be when the sea settles down the the Viz gets better from memory around Flamborough and Runswick Bay - and Redcar / Staithes isn't too far for me here in York - so definitely would be brilliant.

 

[TiminYorkshire]

Coolio, just give me a shout on this thread or via pm nearer the time.

I'm currently mulling over the idea of a RIB, although in the meantime I've this beast! :

 

[DafyddRees]

I am going to sell my kayak and surf board in the next few months with a view to getting a rib... much more spearo friendly!

 

[grantl]

Mmh - I think there's pros and cons there Daffyd. I like the look of the Aquaquad but I'll stick with a yak in all likelihood.
Here's a nice wee vid of the Aquaquad
[ame]http://youtu.be/1KNADNrI0sc[/ame]

 

[DafyddRees]

Yeh I saw that video but do not like the price tag attached to them! Plus it won't fold nicely into the back of my car!

I loved my kayak, just ready to move onto a little more exciting that will get us the distance in a better time.

 

[grantl]

I didn't think their too bad? There's 3 in good nick with a nearly new 25 hp for £1500 each on boats and outboards.
If they guaranteed fish like that is buy one for sure

 

[DafyddRees]

I think the one on b+o is the smaller version, I definitely would not fancy getting 3 well proportioned spearos on that hah!

Edit: Have they been removed from b+o as I cannot locate them any more? They were blue as I remember rightly with all 3 sold by one guy?

 

[markw]

Coolio, just give me a shout on this thread or via pm nearer the time.

I'm currently mulling over the idea of a RIB, although in the meantime I've this beast!

That's a fantastic kayak - what make is that one?

As for the rib - I sadly just passed up on buying a floppy - a proper old grey zodiac with a solid transom and a nice little engine for £1k. My old dive club were flogging it off.

I think wifey would have a fit if I bought it at the moment, though. I already need to get my twinset and stage cylinders in for test which is going to be the rough end of £150 with O2 cleaning.

I reckon I could get away with £400-500 for a diveyak, but a RIB at the moment is a nice dream

 

[TiminYorkshire]

The kayak is a Fatyak, I haven't used it for spearing yet, waiting for the chance, but should be fun.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95h5ttyAB5o&feature=player_embedded]Surfing & fishing the Fatyak KAAFU - YouTube[/ame]

 

[StuR]

Hi Folks. Just thought I would introduce myself. I have yet to aquire my kit & get in the water. But I'm hoping to get some useful advise here on DB. Quite a few years ago a spearfished in Tenerife quite regularly, but my old gear is done & I now live in West Yorkshire. Family holidays gives me acess to Anglesey & Italian coast quite a few times a year. But I still feel a bit landlocked! I'm very keen to take the sport up again, but can't help wondering if it is practical, given my location. I'd be keen to hear from any other Yorkshire Spearo's? I'm also keen cyclist (MTB & road) & practice yoga. So I would be happy with just half a dozen weekends a year spearing, when the weather allows and I get the time. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers.

 

[axe4157]

Hi guys I'm darlo based and fairly new to the sport but getting in regular up here, in fact on way for a surf & spear at maybe runswick but spear quite a bit at Redcar gare and off the front, real keen to dive with others tho and really do not like diving alone so if anyone fancies a like in and this coming week is looking good drop me a pm, maybe get a regular group going? Some real good stuff off Redcar and a couple of wrecks that always seem to have bass hanging out

 

[freerider]

Hi guys,

I live in Whitby and I am keen to have a shoot and a dive with a few others. I also have a 4.5m Jet RIB that seats 4 and is pretty quick! Not done any diving round here yet but did a fair bit abroad whilst travelling.

Give me a shout, diving alone is spooky!

Paul

 

[Seany87]

Hi Guys,

I'm a keen spearo from North East UK. I have experience of spearing in Norway, and zero experience for spearing in the UK.

Anybody wanting to hook up for some spearing or a dive, anywhere in yorkshire, redcar, Staithes, Holy island or pretty much anywhere, drop me a message on here!! Going solo isn't a good idea but its my only choice so far.

Dive buddies seem to be limited here so it would be great to get to know some of you!

Cheers
Sean

 

[Seany87]

Hi guys,

I live in Whitby and I am keen to have a shoot and a dive with a few others. I also have a 4.5m Jet RIB that seats 4 and is pretty quick! Not done any diving round here yet but did a fair bit abroad whilst travelling.

Give me a shout, diving alone is spooky!

Paul

Hi Paul,

interested in spearing? anytime in July! I can get to Whitby its just over an hour from me at Bishop Auckland. & It would be great to have a dive buddy.

Drop me a message on here if your available & i'm ready to go.

 

[axe4157]

I will be heading in this week plenty if anyone fancies a look in

 

[freerider]

I'm keen matey. Whitby area. Ive had my eye on Hawsker for a while, looks fishy!

 

[axe4157]

what day is good for people next week? shall we try and have a Spearo 'Meet'? I'm free any day and the weather looks good so if anyone has a good idea of a spot to check, I'm in!
Other than that freerider you free tomorrow to check out Hawskers? Drop me a pm cause no idea where that is but up for it!

 

[DafyddRees]

Hey guys, just on my way back from Cornwall at the moment but will be up for a dive next week. Free most days and would prefer a dive up in Northumberland as I am scared of catching leprosy swimming around Sunderland way.