Date: August 4th, 2018
Location: Weigh in at the Bon Vue Inn
This past Saturday, August 4th, 2018 NEF Spearfishing Co again had the honor of being a sponsor for the Tristate Skindivers 8th Annual Species Meet. I could not be any prouder to be a part of this fantastic event as it has grown into the premier spearfishing event in the North East. With 98 registered divers/competitors coming together to raise some money for a fantastic charity and compete in the North East’s largest tournament. This event raised approx. $3,000 to be donated to Dana Farber in Boston MA and brought together our New England spearfishing community.
Special Thank You to the incredible field of sponsors for this event which donated many prizes and spearfishing gear for the raffle. It is such a fantastic way to put spearfishing gear in front of divers to check out and almost every diver gets a chance to win something from the sponsors. It adds such a special spirit to this event.
Spearos and Spearas came from as far away as New York to New Hampshire, and I’m sure a few from other locations. The “Species Meet” format offers a higher level of competition while promoting sustainable fishing ethics. Divers can weigh in only 1 fish from each species as part of their tournament stringer and receive 10 points for each qualifying species they weigh in and 1 point per lb up to a maximum of 20 lbs per fish.
With two categories for the competition being either Boat or Shore/Kayak, this competition offers a way for everyone to compete on an even playing field for their desired hunting method for the day. Every year we see many new faces get involved and compete and this year was exceptionally good. I was stoked to see so many new NEF customers and friends who just started diving this year compete and weigh in fish, outstanding !
The weather decided to throw us firkin knuckleball with 5-6 ft seas and thunder storms. But, as a competition of this level often does, the best divers always rise to the top. With some familiar faces on the podium this meet also witnessed some new faces earn a winning standing that day. Congratulations to all the winners for both Categories. Below is a list of the top 3 divers in each category.
Category – Boat:
1st Place – Fran Bonadies – 113.8 points
2nd Place – Brian Jessurun – 96.3 points
3rd Place – Kelly Gillette – 82.1 points
Category – Shore/Kayak:
1’st Place – Adriano Rodriques – 86.2 points
2nd Place – Hans Roser – 84.6 points
3rd Place – Aaron Hampton – 56.8 points
Some really impressive stringers given the weather and the sea's conditions for the day, congratulations to you all !
Another special Thank you goes out to South Shore Pangas who brought up the new 22.5 ft Corvina Panga from New York to compete in the competition and give divers a chance to check out one of the worlds favorite dive platforms. Pretty cool that South Shore Pangas is bringing these to the North East. Check out the pic of the 22 ft below then contact them to see one!
I am often telling people that New England is blessed with one of the best spearfishing communities in the country. With a varied field such as this one all coming together again this year to compete, share experiences and help others…. once again this is reinforced. It is good for the spirit of everyone to have access to such a dive community and the fact that we are part of one of the best is a compliment to you all. Thank you.
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| group photo credit: Kate the Great Tolmie |
Fantastic job done by club organizers Mike Landau, Mike Meyer and Josh Brouwer ! Club foounding fathers should be very proud of what their vision has turned in to over the last 8 years. Well Done everyone.
Have an interest in joining the Tristate Skindivers Club or an interest in becoming a sponsor for future events? Contact the club here on FaceBook - https://www.facebook.com/TristateSkindiversSpearfishingClub/
Dive Safe,
Mike
NEF Spearfishing Co - www.nefreedive.com
