LA State Freediving Champion:
Keith Love (Texas Bluewater Assassins)
1st Runner Up: Chad Morris (Gulf Coast Freedivers)
2nd Runner Up: Joe Wegmann (Helldivers)
LA State Women's Freediving Champion: Krista Holbrook
1st Women's Runner Up: Jeni Taylor
2nd Women's Runner Up: Renee Lirette (Aqua Aces)
Amberjack:
Keith Love - 49.5 lbs
Chad Morris - 48.7 lbs
Chad Morris - 48.5 lbs
Cobia:
Chad Morris - 49.6 lbs
Joe Wegmann - 48.2 lbs
Joe Wegmann - 48.0 lbs
Grouper:
Bill Crawford - 13.0 lbs
Bill Crawford - 9.6 lbs
Brian Head - 9.5 lbs
King Mackerel:
Mike Freeman - 14.5 lbs
Mahi Mahi:
Keith Love - 1.6 lbs
Keith Love - 1.5 lbs
Mangrove Snapper:
Joe Wegmann - 11.4 lbs
Michael Gauge - 11.3 lbs
Bill Crawford - 11.3 lbs
Miscellaneous:
Louis Rossignol - 51.9 lbs (Alligator Gar)
Darren Druoant - 41.0 lbs (Black Drum)
Krista Holbrook - 39.2 lbs (Barracuda)
Red Snapper:
Chris Hartwell - 24.4 lbs
Mike Freeman - 24.2 lbs
Brian Head - 23.9 lbs
Weigh-In: July 26, 12pm - 2pm Weigh-In Location:Lafreniere Park,
Shelter #7
Registration Fee: $15
Since this is the tournament's first year, we decided to keep
the registration fee down as low as possible ($15!) and see what
kind of interest it draws. Because of the low fee, the weigh-in will
be a "BYOB" for alcohol. We will make a decision on serving /
selling food a few weeks before it starts, although we definitely
will have BBQ pits.
Eligible fish are:
Amberjack
Cobia
Grouper
King Mackerel
Mahi Mahi
Mangrove Snapper
Miscellaneous
Red Snapper
Sheepshead
Wahoo
Yellowfin Tuna
Prizes: We have a large prize table for this event. There will be
trophies for the LA State Freediving Champion, 1st & 2nd Runner Up,
Women's Champ, and Junior Division (under 18). The overall winner
will receive a custom built gun, to their specs, made by Chad
Morris. We will raffle a custom built gun made by Gil Gacula (spear-diver.com). The remainder of winners the will be able to
pick from the prize table, then contestants will via random drawing.
Sponsors: Special Thanks goes to Chad Morris, Brian Head, and John Hanson
who are personally donating items.
The sport of freediving
is dangerous by itself, when combined with competitive spearfishing
it is even more dangerous. One of the most common causes of death
amongst freedivers is a phenomenon traditionally called "Shallow
Water Blackout."
This phenomenon occurs
when the freediver is low on oxygen, and is returning to the
surface. Due to the decrease in atmospheric pressure, the expansion
of the diver's lungs can draw oxygen out of the blood stream causing
blackout.
Freediving in
Louisiana presents even more dangers because of the fact that our
waters frequently have a "murk layer" (layer of muddy, low-viz
water) on top which makes it difficult or impossible for dive
partners on the surface to see their diving partner down below.
There is additional
danger involved in diving Louisiana waters due to the fact that
spearfishing is done in close proximity to offshore oil platforms.
Many divers have been killed or injured due to head injuries during
rapid ascents.
Below are some tips to
avoid death or injury while freediving Louisiana waters:
Always dive with a
partner nearby. Keep an eye on your partner and be aware of
how long they have been down. If there is a murk layer, you may
have to dive below that in order to see your partner.
Do not push yourself
in terms of breathold time. There's no need to stay down long in
LA waters, when you dive down on a rig, fish are either there -
or they are not. The fish here are also not very weary of
freedivers, so waiting around at depth will not be very
productive (on scuba, that may be different). Come back up
before you normally feel the need for air.
Always ascend to
the surface with one arm held straight up above your head.
Wear gloves. If you dive oil platforms, it will just be a matter
of time before you hit a crossbeam while ascending. You will be
much more likely to survive if your hand hits it instead of your
head.
Louisiana oil
platforms are covered with sharp barnacles, coral, sea urchins,
and other nasty stuff. Stay away from them and wear protective
clothing (gloves, wetsuits, etc.) in case you accidentally come
in contact with them.
If you're not used
to diving Louisiana waters, entering a spearfishing tournament
is not a good way to learn. If you decide to despite this
warning, go with a diver who has experience in Louisiana waters,
and take it slow. Don't stay down as long as you normally would
in water's you're comfortable diving in.
If you wear dive
weights, make sure that you are buoyant down to 30 ft.
Don't hyperventilate
prior to diving.
Bring extra weight
belts so you don't hesitate to drop yours if you're in trouble.
Come up early if you
have any strenuous activity while underwater.
Take long surface
intervals between dives. (Most people recommend at least 2x your
downtime)
Be aware that at
some times we have strong currents in Louisiana waters. Use a
tow line behind the boat so divers have something to grab onto
in case the current is too strong.
Dive Flags -
Alpha and/or Diver Down flag must be displayed when divers
are in the water. Divers must keep within 100' from flag. A
white anchor light required at night. It is also recommended
that boaters maintain a distance of 300' from any boat
displaying a Diver Down flag.
