
Location: Wally Pontiff Jr. (Metairie) Playground
Rules:
2011 Rodeo Rules (PDF)
Rodeo Weigh-In Location:
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Important: Diver
Safety in Louisiana Waters
Divers from other areas
who are not familiar with Louisiana's waters should be aware that
there are some differences here that make our spearfishing more
dangerous than it is in other places.
Oil platforms, where
fish congregate, can be hostile environments. The beams that
support the platforms are covered with sharp barnacles, coral,
sea urchins and other nasty stuff. It is important to wear
gloves and some form of protective layer of clothing or wetsuit.
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Large, heavy objects
have been known to fall from oil platforms, and in rare
circumstances, divers have been hit by them. It is important to
be very aware of your surroundings and in the vicinity of other
divers.
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Divers have died
from ascending and hitting their head on a crossbeam. Always put
a gloved hand up above your head while ascending underneath an
oil platform.
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At times our
currents can be very strong. Make sure to use a tow line behind
your boat, and don't dive in currents that you're not
comfortable in. Divers have been lost due to strong current.
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If you're not used
to diving here, a competitive spearfishing tournament is not the
best way to learn. If you decide to anyway, make sure you go
with someone experienced in the area.
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Safety equipment to
bring: cable cutters (in case of entanglement), sea sausage,
bailout bottle
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Divers should only
shoot fish they know they can handle.
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Check out equipment
prior to dive, service regulators, replace dive computer
batteries.
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