Where are they now?

[Old Man Dave]

When I saw the name M.Holt on forums it got me thinking. Mike Holt (not Matt Holt whose name it was) was a well-known Channel Island spearo of the 70’s. Also noticed Old Dave asking for info on past buddies. So I wondered “Where are they now”? and “What are they doing”? Thought with the power of Deeperblue this would make a good thread.
I’m starting with naming some UK spearfishing champs of the past. Pete Hogan, Pete Crawford, Mike Bradshaw, Dave Heaphy. There are lots more and someone else can fill in the gaps.
What about our non-Brits? Terry Lentz, the only American world champ. Massimo Scarpati, an Italian, who some say was the best spearo , ever, bar none.
The fate of some of the greats is well known. Cousteau died about 7 years ago aged about 90 having rejected spearfishing at some point in his career. Ron and Val Taylor both international spearo champs (Ron world champ in 1965) went on their conservation thing and into filmmaking. Hans (and Lotti) Hass, great spearo and pioneer underwater film maker – is he dead?
Terry Maas is still diving and selling his videos. Jay Riffe is still diving and making/selling equipment. Carlos Eyles is no longer fishing but sells his expertise in freediving to punters in the Bahamas. Esclapez (Jean Paul?)(French world champ 1975) was starring in a recent DVD that Ed lent me on spearfishing, which looked very recent. Well he looked fairly old anyway.
Okay that’s my starter. Add names or info as you see fit.
Dave

 

[Murat]

The last i heard, Renzo MAzzari now working with Cressi.

Valerio Grassi making own guns "seatec" after leaving his own company "OMER"..

 

[Bill McIntyre]

I can help with Terry Lentz. I attended a meeting of the LA Fathomiers club a year or so ago, and he was there.

 

[dave]

A lot of the older UK divers are still fishing, look at http://www.underwaterfishing.co.uk/Results page.htm and see if there are any names you recognise.
Pete Crawford is diving most days now he is retired, and shooting more fish than people as third of his age! He was selected for the UK team for the Worlds in Chile last year, but had to drop out at the last minute due to illness (opening up a place for me!)
cheers
dave
www.spearo.co.uk

 

[old dave]

How about this rofl rofl rofl



British Spearfishing Association

Senior Champions
1959 D Canniford
1960 J Wright
1961 D Jones
1962 D Jones
1963 A Worley
1964 T Thomas
1965 M Barnes
1966 M House
1967 S Beall
1968 C House
1969 T Thomas
1970 B Milverton
1971 P Crawford
1972 W Pack
1973 D Heaphy
1974 P Crawford
1975 D Heaphy
1976 B Carlson
1977 P Crawford
1978 M Bradshaw
1979 P Hogan
1980 P Crawford
1981 P Crawford
1982 P Crawford
1983 E Smith
1984 P Hogan
1985 D Bailey
1986 P Crawford
1987 P Crawford
1988 E Smith
1989 P Crawford
1990 P Crawford
1991 D Bailey
1992 J Astill
1993 P Crawford
1994 D Bailey
1995 E Smith
1996 P Crawford
1997 E Smith
1998 D Bailey
1999 D Bailey
2000 D Bailey
2001 M Veal
2002 D Bartlett



back

 

[Murat]

A lot of the older UK divers are still fishing, look at (opening up a place for me!) cheers dave [url]www.spearo.co.uk

wooww!!! we have another national here

 

[UK Spearo]

Mike Bradshaw is a good friend, and he is still diving (in fact I dived with him on Bank Holiday Monday just gone). Walley Pack and Bob Milverton have both retired from diving I belive. Adrian Worley is the Chairman of the BSA and still manages to drag him self in sometimes (ha ha ha), Terry Thomas, I guess you could say I know him quite well.... I have dived with him for years.... he is still diving and teaching me stuff (going out with him on his boat this weekend)..... cheers Clive (Thomas... yeah he's me Dad!).

 

[Old Man Dave]

Hi Clive
Like father like son eh?
I think Terry Thomas was British champion twice and represented Britain in 3 world championships. That was in the late 60’s and early 70’s. He must have been a great spearo and sounds like he still is.
I don’t think I ever met him but I followed his career along with other top personalities from my era of the 70’s. In that respect I send my regards.
Dave

 

[UK Spearo]

Dave, will pass on your regards. Your correct Dad repesented the UK 3 times late 60's early 70's and was british champ in the same period.... I was a mere nipper! But have seen all the photos and listened to all the stories millions of times ;o)

He still gives me a good run for my money in the water!

 

[SurfnSpear]

I just thought you guys might like to know that there is a 1962 Spearfishing Championships of Great Britain large enamel badge on UK Ebay at the moment...BR

 

[Wishbone]

Okay, here's what I know...

Renzo Mazzarri is still diving and winning - at least the last year's Spearfishing Champion's League in Greece.
Jean-Baptiste Esclapez is doing fine with his own line of equipment with http://www.imersion.net
From the greatest spaniards - Jose Amengual is okay and kicking his fins, teaching his nephiews one of which is Pedro Carbonell to win world champs.
I read in 1993 that both Chilean World champs Raul Choque (1971) and Alejandro Flores (1983) are doing fine, and I think one of them showed up during the WC last year to boost the morale of the local team. I guess it was Choque since he's a truly legendary figure in Chile, and especially in his home town Iquiqe, where the championship was held.
I heard Dubravko Balenovic - the bronze winner for Yougoslavia in the first WC in 1957 was a candidate for the CMAS spearfishing committee during the elections this year, but wasn't elected. Frane Zanki imports spearfishing equipment in Croatia.
There are some great spearos that left us (at least I heard it or saw it somewhere):
Bruno Hermany - the brazilian with two WCups (60 and 63).
Juan Gomis a great spanish champion - The WC winner in 1961
Jose Noguera - another great spaniard - vice champ from the worlds in 61, bronze in 73 and captain of the Spanish National Team on many occasions.
Edwin Caro - the vice-champion from Chile 1994, victim of SWB.

Now if any of you guys have any photos from past worlds, please mail me about it since I am a fan...

Cheers,

Ivan

 

[Old Man Dave]

Good post Ivan. Very interesting. I would like to see some photo's as well. Maybe someone will post some here. Do you have any you could scan and post?
Dave

 

[Wishbone]

Thanks, Dave

I have some of the most recent ones, but I guess they are copyrighted, so it won't be a good idea.
But here are some I got from different people's personal archives and they won't mind me sharing them:
Jose Amengual in Spain, 1973
Jean-Baptiste Esclapez in Peru, 1975
Alejandro Flores in Chile, 1983
Jose Amengual in Spain, 1985

Those were posted on my website, and will be again soon enough...

Cheers!

 

[Old Man Dave]

Nice one Ivan. This thread is going well. I'm enjoying it anyway.
Dave

 

[UK Spearo]

Here's some of the British team from the ealry 70's

You'll See Bob Milverton, Terry Thomas, Pete Crawford, Al Mills, Wally Pack, To name a few in these pics.

Cheers
Clive.

 

[Wishbone]

Great photos, Clive!