Freediving/Spearfishing, what are you doing to prepare?

With abalone approaching, Amphibian's talk about some diving at GMS 4, and all this downtime in the rain; I have gotten inspired.

I pulled out my Terry Maas freediving books and videos, watched Blue about 5 times and decided to really work on improving my dives this year.  I just ordered the Manual of Free Diving, by Umbarto to pick up some new tricks and tips.

I got some Omer Longfins last year that really improved my depth.  I need to strech out the foot pockets in some hot water to fit my hobbit feet better, but they have increased my depth to 30-40 ft dives in freshwater (going off my wrist computer), with a 30-45 second down time.  I definately want to improve my bottom time and depth further, and started doing some CO2 and O2 tables.  I started on the exercise bike do to the rain to prep the cardio.

I put some new bands on the guns.  I have an Omer Excaliber 82cm, that I am thinking of cutting the 130cm  spear down or getting a shorter spearshaft for.  A smaller spear on the gun would be nice in the low vis conditions.  I even considered making a mid handle for it, which I could take on and off when conditions dictate.  It would be simple to make a clamp on trigger with a pushbar which engages to stock trigger.

I want to convert my JBL magnum to a halibut gun.  I may rig up a slip tip and floatline for it.  I thought about cutting it down, but may want the extra power to force through the halibut in the sand.

I have the urge to make a homemade wood gun, for shooting the rocks while abalone diving.  I like my Omer, but it can be a little long for shooting into caves.

So what equipment, exercises and/or new techniques is everyone implimenting this year?  I can't wait!  I need to get some blood on my guns.  Inspiration pictures are welcome! LOL

Matt

New techniques....gonna try getting more than 2 hours of sleep the night before the dive 

Old techniques I am re-employing....started lap swimming in the am before I go to work, well so far its been light swimming and serious jacuzzi work...I'll get more hard core around march.

New gear....my buddy Matts is gonna build me a homemade pea shooter.       

Hi Matt and ART:

    I'm going to make a Dive float and buy a new Snorkel.
I have been driving a Compact and need to save money for trips
to Van Damme. I would like to do some shore diving after I built
my Float unless someone has a Dive Float they want to part with.
                                                                  Sea-ya
                                                                  Ernie

http://shop.bbprodive.com/product.sc?productId=59&categoryId=9

I've heard/read that Yoga can improve bottom time so I'll give it a try.

Im gonna buy A float line, new fins, and A new railgun! 

I definately want to make a float line.  I will try out a bright poly rope floatline to start with.  Just to see if I like it.  I think tied to your ab bar, that you could mark a nice hole or large ab so you could dive right back down to it.  Hooked to your gun you could find your speargun if dropped or pulled off by a big fish. 

For my JBL, I want to make up a breakaway set up on a float line and floats.  That way I can hit a large halibut and track it down after it tires out.

We will see how my gun comes ut first agarcia  .  I may turn out as a bath toy rather than a fish killer.  I am going to try and make up just a small red oak or mohagany gun.  I want to make my own trigger assembly and pin it into the stock.  Here is a good site on homemade guns: http://www.renepotvin.com/ .
His hockey guns are really nice!  Wish we could spear in freshwater like Canada. 

I heated and streched out my fin pockets some last night.  I need to invest in a shoe streacher, but used my fat feet and neoprene booties for now.  They actually fit most my foot fairly well, but pinch a little just on the sides, just behind my little toe; making the sides of my feet cramp a little then go numb.  I am just trying to streach out the toe area some more.  It seems to be working, and the more I use them the more they should soften and strech.  I hope.

Matt

Inspiration pictures,
1st pic is a nice Wahoo taken in Mexico off Alijos Rocks
2nd a nice 9lb. Halibut I took in Monterey this past summer
And the final 2 are of some fine dive loations, enjoy

Ranger Jim

Well I did a 30 min run and O2 tables today.  Felt good to get some exercise again with all this rain!  I should take advantage on our stationary bike more when the weather is nasty.  The bike is easier on my back as well.

I picked up a small diamond dremel bit from Home Depot.  I rounded and smoothed out the notches on my spear shafts to accept the dyneema wishbones.  I then finished them off with some wet/dry paper and oil, then charged some nylon twine with polishing compound and ran it back and forth thru the slot until it smoothed out the edges and made it looked nice and shiny.  It should be real easy on the wishbones.

I made some new euro bands for the Omer and some new bands for my JBL.  I used the brass euro adapters which fit perfectly in my Omer.  I made some loops with overhand knots for the tube ends.  I just insert the wishbone into the loops and secure with a sheet bend.  It makes it easy to install the bands and switch out wishbones as they wear.  The loops and adapters were easy to insert into the tubing with some silicon spray.  For the loop, I used the tube on a flux brush to push the loop in place.  The tube made it easy to insert the knotted portion, while keeping the loop inside the tube.

The wishbones fit the spear well.  I am going to order a backup spear with the micro shark fins or pins next.  At least the dyneema wishbones won’t cut my fingers like the metal ones can.  I have seen some nasty pictures on the internet when a metal wishbone lets loose.  Ouch!

I also stretched out my Omer Millennium foot pockets.  They always seemed to cramp the sides of my foot and over my arch after about 30 min.  The curse of Hobbit feet.  I just layered my feet up with socks and inserted them into the foot pockets.  A little heat from my heat gun and they now fit perfect!  I can actually wiggle my toes a little now.  Next time I will get the Picasso Black Teams.  I hear they are good for large feet.

I ordered my new float line gear, but decided to fix the first one I made.  I cut it apart and sprayed some orange marking paint down the tube, and blew it thru with the compressor.  WOW, what a difference.  The tube almost glows now.  I will wait several days for the tube to dry completely, and install the ends.  I have a stainless eye bolt with a nylock nut JBwelded in place.  I will use this time rather than the fishing clips.  It fits well and is rated for 450 lbs.  I will now attach both 20 ft tubes as well.  I am going to use some 3mm dyneema, with a knot on each end.  I will insert it into the tubes and use a constrictor knot to join both tubes together.  Lightweight (so it floats) and strong.  I will use a dyneema loop on the end to attach a float to if necessary.  This was my budget float line and I am trying to stay with motif for this line to see how it works out.  Thanks Fuzz for all the tips!

Matt

Checkout Deeperblue. It's a freedive site with training tips.

I have the Picasso foot pockets and they are very wide in the toe area.

I have been diving pretty much the whole winter. Testing out some smaller guns, and testing out some smaller length bands on them. I also get the crew to get there with me also and do the same so we are continually working on communication, safety, and awareness. Been making sure everyone is self-sufficient with their own gear. Not using my gear as their main base eg. float, bait bag, stringer etc.
Hookups, what?!

what are you doing to prepare?

Been following the usual routine:

Checking kayak to make sure everything is rigged well
 - *Looks outside window, sees kayak covered in leaves...*
 - "Ya, looks good."

Growing the winter fat necessary for cold water conditions
 - Strict donut diet, supplemented with bacon
 - mmm... donuts
 - note - may need larger wetsuit

Trash-talking
 - More important than actually being able to dive
 - "You couldn't reach the bottom in a kiddie pool!"
 
Getting gear ready
 - Using friend's workshop to make/mod/repair gear
 - Using friend's new wood chop saw to hack up old shafts for stringers
 - Getting banned from friend's workshop

Practice breath-holds
 - 2-3 times a day in workplace bathroom
 - for increased self-training, carne asasda burrito w/extra beans

I feel better now that Fuzz confirmed trash talking is important. I do that very well as I'm sitting on a wash rock puking as AbMan dives in the 10 foot swell.

Thanks amphibian.  I am a member of spearboard and deeper blue.  Great sites and where I have been getting a lot of rigging tips. 
Matt

Bloodbath what guns are you testing?  I am thinking of getting or making a smaller hole hunting gun.

Fuzz I already have the donut diet down.  Thank goodness I got an ultraflex suit!  But I will stay warm like a walrus!

Matt

I picked up a 55cm hammerhead in Hawaii and it came with open muzzle and closed muzzle attachments. I like the ease of the open muzzle, and with shorter bands, it has enough power to do some damage. I'm talking about rockfish now! Other guns that I have tested are a couple Cressi sub pneumatic spearguns. There is alot of talk about the seals busting and no one to repair them but, they sure do have some power. Even a smaller pneumatic for caves would definitely put a lingcod down. Each gun definitely has it's purpose and there is only one way to find out which works best for you.