Spearfishing from “A” to “Z”

Spearfishing is one of the most ancient ways of catching fish. Although nowadays people do not have to look for food this way, sometimes they practice this discipline. This sport is popular in many countries, because it is beneficial for one’s health and is perfect for those who want to mix business and pleasure and explore the underwater world.

Technique

Spearfishing is both a competitive discipline and a source of entertainment. No matter what you want to get from this experience, you need to make sure that your technique is good enough to practice this sport. Since spearfishing requires spending a lot of time under the water, looking for the fish, and even fighting with the creatures inhabiting rivers and seas, it is necessary to be capable of several skills: swimming, diving, holding one’s breath and shooting.

Equipment

Usually sportsmen use special weapons to practice spearfishing. When the gun fires, the spear goes through the fish. The tackle that is attached to the spear makes it possible to push fish towards the sportsman. Moreover, to succeed in spearfishing, it is necessary to use a mask, a wetsuit, a balloon with oxygen, a pair of fins. Some sportsmen use additional equipment, such as belts with carabiners attached to them, compasses and a watch put in waterproof cases, and special tools to measure the depth. Let us look at the equipment in details.

Weapons

Nowadays, spearfishers mostly use crossbows or guns. Usually the length of a weapon varies from 140 to 160 centimeters, although in some cases, it is possible to use shorter ones: their length may reach only 110 centimeters. Such weapons are perfect for spearfishing in remote places with a complex relief consisting of rocks, grottos and clefts. If a sportsman wants to catch a long fish, or it is too far away, longer guns come in very useful: their dimensions sometimes reach 2 meters.

Some fishers enjoy catching fish at night, which means that they need as much light as possible. To see everything that is going on around them, they opt for weapons customized by flashlights making the environment visible.

The mask

This piece of ammunition is used to protect the diver’s eyes. This is made of plastic and elastic material. There are models that look like binoculars, however, they are not good for the eyesight. Thus, in the recent years another type of masks has been constructed. It comprises only one part that is wide enough to see everything through it. Usually such masks are round in shape.

There are models with respirators. They make it possible to breathe under the water. Sometimes respirators cover the nose only, but in other cases, it covers both the nose and the mouth. Usually the respirators are modified by a scuba. The mask is attached to the head with the halp of a belt.

The fins

This equipment makes covering long distances easier. Not only do they help to reach higher speed, but also they make the force of the movements stronger. This peculiarity comes in very useful because sportsmen cannot spend too much time under the water. Some fishermen use shortened fins (the heal is not covered by the soles), others opt for the fins that cover the whole surface of the feet. Some of them do not use fins at all because they consider swimming in them too tiring.

Getting ready for a spearfishing route

Spearfishing is a discipline that does not require outstanding physical abilities. Almost any person can practice this sport. To be allowed to catch fish this way, it is necessary not to have any serious problems with the eyesight, and the lungs. The nervous system must be stable; otherwise, a person might lose concentration in case he or she sees something unexpected or scary. Finally, it is important not to suffer from any heart diseases. In general, though, this sport is available for anyone, including women and teenagers.

Training should begin with learning how to breathe. It is necessary to develop one’s own breathing rhythm before diving. A person will be allowed to dive only after learning to do it automatically. This process might take a lot of time, but the purpose of training is not to concentrate on breathing.

Dangers

Spearfishing is a way safer discipline than other types of diving. Yet, sometimes accidents happen. All dangers are concerned with failing to follow the safety rules. For example, something bad can happen is a sportsman does not breathe properly, or if he or she has not learnt anything about the environment.

What can one do to avoid these dangers?

• It is necessary not to skip training classes that take place on the ground. They are aimed at teaching you how to breathe.
• Apart from that, before diving it is important to find as much information about the place and its inhabitants as possible. Some creatures may be dangerous, so it is better to know it in advance.
• In addition, it is crucial to learn how to use the weapons.

History

Although this way of fishing appeared thousands of years ago, as a sport it developed not long ago. In the 20th century, spearfishing became popular in California, USA, and other countries, including Italy, France and Australia. They became the motherland of modern spearfishing. Nowadays, national and international spearfishing organizations work there. This is where the most popular competitions are held and the most interesting courses take place.

In 1955, in England there were more than 50 thousand fans of this sport. In 1956, this discipline became well-known in the USSR and other countries located nearby. After the premiere of a French movie “20 minutes under the water”, many people realized it was possible to explore oceans on their own, and spearfishing, as well as other underwater disciplines, awoke their interest.

Thus, spearfishing is a unique experience, which is available for many people coming from different places.