New Orleans Aqua Aces

2009 Aqua Aces Rodeo
Benefiting Children's Hospital

Congratulations to the winners of this year's annual Aqua Aces Rodeo!

King Spearfisherman: Jason Gitreaux (Get Em)
Queen Spearfisherman: Christy Stone (Aqua Aces)
King Skindiver: Jered King (Aqua Aces)
Junior King: Dillon Breaux (Get Em)
Best Boat: Heavy Metal
Best Club: Helldivers

A special congratulations goes to Christy Stone who shot a new women's state record Amberjack that weighed in at 77 lbs. 13 oz!!!

The 2009 Aqua Aces Rodeo Dates are:

June 18 - 21, 2009

Weigh-In: June 21, 10am - 2pm

Entry Fee: $45 - tickets can be purchased in all local area dive shops. This ticket includes: 3 drink tickets, 1 Aqua Aces Rodeo t-shirt & your ticket stub for a raffle of a gun.

Weigh-In Location: Lafreniere Park, Shelter #7

Registration: Contact an Aqua Aces club member or register at a local dive shop.
Safety Warning: Please read our note on safety when diving in LA waters (click here)

Rules: Click Here read the 2009 Rodeo Rules.

Sponsors: Click Here
Sponsorship Form: Click Here

About Our Rodeo: The Aqua Aces rodeo is one of the oldest and most popular spearfishing rodeos in the State of Louisiana. Nearly 250 people attended our awards ceremony last year and just under 100 entered the competition. We had a ton of prizes for contestants and even for those who didn't place fish.

We serve food and drinks at the weigh-in. Even if you aren't participating it's a fun social event that is kid-friendly. Come see the the huge Gulf fish that are brought in at scenic Lafreniere Park in Metairie.

View Larger Map

Local Dive Charters:
Troy Wetzel
Xtreme Fishing Charters
http://rodnreel.com/CommonFiles/FishCharter.asp
http://www.grand-isle.com/charters.htm

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Safety equipment to bring: cable cutters (in case of entanglement), sea sausage, bailout bottle
Divers should only shoot fish they know they can handle.
Check out equipment prior to dive, service regulators, replace dive computer batteries.

2008 Aqua Aces Rodeo
Benefiting Children's Hospital

The 2008 Aqua Aces Rodeo was a great success, and we owe it to our club members, sponsors, and mother nature.

This Year's Winners:
King Spearfisherman: George Ansardi - Hell Divers
Queen Spearfisherman: Abby Donaldson - Get 'Em
King Skindiver: Chris Hartwell - Aqua Aces
#2 Skindiver: Joe Wegman - Hell Divers
#3 Skindiver: Don Scott - Frogmen
Best Club: Hell Divers
Best Boat: Heavy Metal

This year, the Aqua Aces made their annual donation to Children's Hospital before the rodeo so that it could be done during the annual Children's Miracle Network Telethon. Click Here or on the image below to see the video: