Tragedy - Randy Fry

[PaulV]

Tribe:
We have all lost an important member of our world. Randy Fry was killed by a GWS off Northern California yesterday (Sunday).

For the last five years he was the key political spokesman for our sport and was instrumental in maintaining open seasons for spearfishers in California, a state not too friendly towards recreational fishermen. We suffered against the commercial fishermen that had stronger lobbyists, and Randy singlehandedly upheld our end of the discussions.

He was ab diving in shallow water north of Fort Bragg with two others who witnessed the swift attack. No news yet if the body was recovered.

In his tireless style, he was the weighmaster the day before, at the 4th Cencal meet of the year, held at Albion. My last words to him were jokingly chiding him for how he was measuring one of my fish. I'm now in disbelief that I will not speak to him again.

I will miss you Randy. Thanks for all you have done for us.

Paul Verveniotis
San Carlos, CA

 

[Rolando]

Awful news, seems like we are losing too many champions of our sport. All you NoCal divers be careful out there (Sveno et al).

 

[fuzz]

A definite class-act guy who stuck up for recreational divers & their rights. Here's an article.

 

[Murat]

thats too bad...

My conceledence to his family and friends.


Its very hard to accept loosing a life in such way...:waterwork

 

[Erik]

Prayers from me.
Erik Y.

 

[fuzz]

Another article - body recovered.

 

[Cingene]

That is so sad. I was just out there going for abs earlier this month. Makes me want to think it out sometimes. Maybe I or a love one would be lost. That would be terrible. Prayers out to a comrade.

 

[donmoore]

My prayers are with his family and friends. This is so terrible. This man seemed to do everything right, but yet he was still taken.
don

 

[KelpMonkey]

That is just awful. And frightening as well.

How much more common are GWS in NorCal than SoCal? My favorite dive spot in La Jolla is right near a local seal colony, something I think long and hard about every time I swim in trailing fish blood.

 

[icarus pacific]

There are more Whites up here than in So Cal, but there as here and this was pointed out by Randy, if you choose to dive near a seal rookery, well, your chances of meeting up with the landlord are higher, regardless of North or South.