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INTERPACIFIC SPEARFISHING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2013- 8-15 JUNE 2013
CAPRICORN/BUNKER GROUP REEFS – GLADSTONE QUEENSLAND
The Interpacific Spearfishing Championship is the only international event in which Australia currently competes. I had the honour to be appointed as Championship Director for the competition on behalf of the Australian Underwater Federation (AUF).
There are currently six countries that compete in the Interpacifics:- Australia; New Zealand; New Caledonia; Tahiti, Guam and Hawaii.
The competition is held in different countries on a rotational basis – so it is in Australia every 5-6 years or so. When it is held in Australia it is held in a different State on a rotational basis. So that means that it could be quite some time before we see the event being held in Queensland again – so it was a pretty big deal for Queensland to host the competition this year!
It is a pairs/team event – there are usually two men’s pairs forming a four man team from each competition country and a ladies pair from some countries (this year Australia and New Zealand only).
The competition was held on the Capricorn/Bunker Group aboard two charter vessels, the Tura and the Eastern Voyager.
The owner Chris and his team looked after us well in running what was to prove a successful competition, despite some hiccups along the way.
The scoresheet was limited in order that the relevant bag limits applicable on the Great Barrier Reef would be exceeded. That was done by having a maximum limit per species per day of competition of three. Fish were also grouped into various species groups, for example trout, cod etc with a maximum of five fish per group. For example a four man team on a day of competition could not shoot more than three common coral trout and not more than five coral trout in total. All in all, it proved to be a successful score sheet format that limited the take while providing good variety and was challenging at the same time.
The format of the competition generally consists of two days scouting and two days of competition. This year we scouting / competition days were held on alternating days. Usually there are two days of scouting and two days of competition. This was purely given the distance involved and travel between reefs it was be impractical travelling to and from the various reefs on a daily basis aboard the large live aboard vessels. It was much more practical to scout a reef one day, stay overnight and compete on the reef the following day – then move on to the next reef.
The competition is a ‘swim off’ style with all competitors having to start and finish at a designated point. Team managers are able to pick up fish and communicate between pairs using a tender.
This year we were able to have a warm up day as Sykes reef. Fitzroy reef was the first competition reef, which has a large lagoon. The scouting day was relatively uneventful. For the first day of competition we have nice weather with pairs spreading far and wide across the reef.
New Caledonia took out the first day of competition. In the ladies, Australia were off to an almost unassailable lead after the first day. I believe the most meritorious fish for the trip were taken that day being three nice sail fin snapper by the boys from Guam, one in particular was a cracker.
Following the first day of the competition, the skipper Chris had some grim news, that with the managers zooming all over the reef during the day we had used most of our quota of fuel for the tenders and were only half way through the trip. That created some dramas for me trying to co-ordinate a plan. We investigated a possible fuel drop (which was prohibitively expensive). In the end it was a case of making do with what we had.
Taking account of the prevailing conditions, current and geography of the reef the next scouting day was held at Lamont reef and we were very frugal with the fuel, saving it for the competition day, which proved a successful option. The second day of competition went off without a hitch.
Team New Zealand prevailed on the second day in the men’s, with New Caledonia close behind. But it was not enough, with New Caledonia being victorious overall. In the ladies, New Zealand mounted a strong comeback, winning the day, but it was not enough, with Australia victorious in the ladies event.
The trip wound down with a social dive at Masthead Island on the Friday morning and thereafter the usual celebrations. A few of the Guys from Australia and New Zealand got a bit carried away on Saturday night in Gladstone but we won’t go into that here.
Most Australians and Kiwis took their quota of fish home. Given the restricted list all fish taken were top quality table fish. As most competitors had to return overseas remaining fish were donated to Food Bank Australia who were most appreciative of the fresh seafood which they could distribute to the homeless and needy.
Overall, the event went well, importantly everyone got home safely and great fish and good times were had by all. Next year’s event is to be hosted by in Tahiti. Any Australians wanting to make the team ought to attend the Nationals to be held at Emu Bay, Kangaroo Island this year.
Safe diving,
Luke Randell
THE COMPETITORS
Australia
Ben Thomson
Ryan Springall
Ian Puckeridge
Adam Smith
Peter Walsh
Kahlee Andrews (ladies)
Taylah Martindale (ladies)
Manager - Guy Wood
Manager ladies – Joe Martindale
New Zealand
Dwyane Herbert
Julian Hansford
Paul Best
Jackson Shields
Karl Bottema
Gemma Shields (ladies)
Karline Going (ladies)
Manager – Herb Herbert - manager
Manager ladies - Darren Shields
Shane Fitzmaurice (maybe)
Hawaii
Kurt Chambers
Spencer Haskins
Mike Jutt
Mike Hong
Manager - Jonathan Barretto
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