Vancouver Island freediving partners

[3bushels]

I'm looking for a diving partner in the mid-island area -- anyone out there?

I live in Nanaimo, but I'm happy to drive for a little adventure.

 

[Erik]

If you're not a spearo, you're still welcome to come up and join us for diving and coffees!
http://forums.deeperblue.net/canada/73725-bc-spearing-trip-round-3-2008-a.html
Aug 9-17 we'll be in Telegraph Cove.

 

[legionnair]

I live in victoria and i am also looking for a dive partner
i am new to the sport but have no prob hitting 40 to 50 ft right now

later

 

[tylerz]

Yes, I am on Vancouver Island floating around between Vancouver, Victoria, and Nanaimo. I also know others in Victoria. If you are still interested let me know. Jumping on a ferry walk-on from Nanaimo would have you in Vancouver to join some freedivers as well.

Cheers,

Tyler

 

[legionnair]

hey man yeah still interested I have a buddy that goes with me we are new to the sport and dont do crazy depths but 45 t0 55ft is no prob
but lately we have been going to tower point it is not deep only 37 to 40ft
but lots of seals, erchins, snails etc...

so the answer is yes

pm me and maybe we can get something going

Dustin

 

[ahinalu]

Hey there are other spearos over here. I just moved to Victoria from Kauai. I
haven't had a lot of time off (I'm doing the watchkeeping course at Camosun
Interurban). I just got a 6/5 xcel surf suit, it's pretty damn hot for surfing, not
sure how good it will be for diving though.

I'd like to get in the water as well...
Anyone have any thoughts about the new suit?
How is the spear fishing over here?
Where can I get some bands for my Omer?

 

[Erik]

That suit would be passable for snorkelling, but as soon as you start getting underneath, you will not be happy for long. A proper 5 or 7mm freediving suit with hood is a must, as well as 5mm gloves.
Any real freedive/spearo gear will have to come from the internet. Talk to jimdoe2you first or Mark Labocetta (OMER North America- there are no retailers in Canada so you will get a very good price direct from him) or Scubastore in Spain.

 

[nz676]

actually i found a shop in vancouver that stocks spear guns and accessories they should have bands for you, very helpful the place is called the dive locker its 2745 west 4th ave vancouver might be worth a little trip and they have a sale on for boxing day 25 to 30 percent off most items

 

[nz676]

so i guess we do have one in canada now

 

[Erik]

Oh that's great news! I know that you can get JBL stuff in most dive shops but I wouldn't count that as good freedive spearo gear.

 

[ahinalu]

That suit would be passable for snorkelling, but as soon as you start getting underneath, you will not be happy for long. A proper 5 or 7mm freediving suit with hood is a must, as well as 5mm gloves.
Any real freedive/spearo gear will have to come from the internet. Talk to jimdoe2you first or Mark Labocetta (OMER North America- there are no retailers in Canada so you will get a very good price direct from him) or Scubastore in Spain.

Thanks for the replies.

It's a drylok suit with integrated hood (real bitch to get into as you have to squeeze
into a baffle system).

I have some friends in Kauai that can ship me some bands if there's no place
here for them. What do you consider snorkeling? I freedive, does that count?
My max was 117 ft but I've been out of the water for about 4-5 months so I'm
sure 60-70 ft might be my max right now.

Are there any good references to what kind of fish are good to spear?

 

[nz676]

dont really think they had any huge blue water canons but they had about 5 or 6 guns on the wall and bands, spears, floats, most i have seen in any store here they did have the cressi Comanche,Jbl, beuchat so a decent selection

 

[Erik]

I am a freedive spearo too- "snorkelling" to me, is floating around and not diving.
If you have experience in cold water (10C-16C around BC) then you know what you're in for. But if this is new territory, just go for it and see how it feels to you! Rockfish, Lingcod(in my avatar) and Greenling are good eating and good sport, but you must get the regs for your area as there is a massive amount of recreational fishing pressure in the southern area of the island. Go north and the fishing's better.
The diving here is challenging at times, with varying vis, temps, weather, seas and currents.

 

[ahinalu]

If you have experience in cold water (10C-16C around BC) then you know what you're in for. But if this is new territory, just go for it and see how it feels to you! Rockfish, Lingcod(in my avatar) and Greenling are good eating and good sport, but you must get the regs for your area as there is a massive amount of recreational fishing pressure in the southern area of the island.

I was surfing last week at Sombrio water was 46F (~7C) and the air was ~27F (-2 ~ -3C)
and I was sweating (had to take the hood off). This new wet suit material is fantastic.
Last time I surfed/dove in cold water was >25 years ago. What a difference.

Is there a on-line source for local regs?

 

[Erik]

All the BC regs are here: Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Pacific Region | English Site

 

[ahinalu]

All the BC regs are here: Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Pacific Region | English Site

Doesn't look like there's any food fish that is open till June in my area (except crab).

 

[Erik]

Yeah closures are bad down there. West island and north tends to be better.

 

[helwie]

I live in victoria and i am also looking for a dive partner
i am new to the sport but have no prob hitting 40 to 50 ft right now

later

Hello, i'm from Germany and I'm traveling trough canada. At the moment I live in abbotford at a farm because i'm waiting for my work permission. Afterwords I will go to Victoria. I'm actually a Scuba diver, but I want to learn freediving. I think i hold the skills for this sport. If you are interested please tell me soon!

 

[Barny]

Notice the majority of this feed is relatively date. I just finished pfi intermediate free dive course and am interested in getting in the ocean as much as possible, keen on both freedive / spear.

 

[tylerz]

Notice the majority of this feed is relatively date. I just finished pfi intermediate free dive course and am interested in getting in the ocean as much as possible, keen on both freedive / spear.

Where are you located on the island? I have a friend moving to Nanaimo who is looking to nurture a more active community on the island. She is an instructor also.