Thirty feet below the ocean’s surface, submerged in a sport unlimited by the vastness of its playing field, Reyton Siliado clutches his woodstock gun, scans the deep blue and thinks through his gameplan. This is what I’m looking for, this
Thirty feet below the ocean’s surface, submerged in a sport unlimited by the vastness of its playing field, Reyton Siliado clutches his woodstock gun, scans the deep blue and thinks through his gameplan.
This is what I’m looking for, this is where I’ll find it. Am I positioned correctly? How will I angle my body so that upon my ascent to the ocean’s surface I’m in perfect streamline? Do I have enough oxygen to make the catch?
The Encyclopedia Brittanica couldn’t hold the amount of knowledge needed to be a champion spearfisher. The tides, the currents, the moon and its gravitational pull: these are all factors which could render the perfect catch – the proverbial touchdown or the homerun of the sport of spearfishing.
To Siliado, the sport isn’t about the catch, or the skill, or even the competition. It’s about the knowledge of the ocean, a oneness with the earth’s most mysterious terrain and an adventurous brush with the unknown.
“When I’m out there, I feel like the cork of a wine bottle, floating with the ocean,” said Siliado. “It’s just me and the sea, with no one around but the beauty of my surroundings. It’s like I’m in my own world.”
Siliado is only one of the many Kauaians who indulge in the spearfishing adventure. The sport has been a mainstay of the Kaua’i and the Hawaiian Islands – as well as an international club (The International Underwater Spearfishing Association (IUSA)) – since 1950. But the island of Kaua’i has yet to host a freedive spearfishing tournament of its own.
Until now.
For all interested freediving spearfisherman, there will be a contest held Sunday, May 26, here on Kaua’i.
The Kaua’i Spearfishing Tournament will take place at Ha’ena Beach Park (dry cave area) Sunday morning with a 7 a.m. diving time, and will end at 2 p.m. The boundaries of the contest are between Ke’e beach to Camp Naue. If needed, the alternate site of the tournament will be Black Pot Beach at Hanalei Bay.
The standard rules to the contest are simple: You must be over 18 years old, or with a written parental consent, to compete in the contest. Start at 7 a.m. and return at 2 p.m. with fish, swimming only from shore with float. You must have a visible dive flag to participate. Also, all divers must supply their own cooler with ice to maintain your catch. After the weigh in, which takes place at the dive location, the fish is yours.
The scoring: 10 fish per diver, 2 per species, one point per pound, one point per fish, and 21 maximum points per fish. There is a 14 inch minimum: (Opelu or Horn Kala, Palani (Knife Fish). (Kumu, Munu, Moana-Kali) Goats. Mu, Enunui, Uhu. And 18-inch mimimum: Uku, Ulua/Papio.
Divers placement will be determined by total weight of catch – largest fish, jackpot fish, etc.
In terms of penalties: If more than 10 fish are caught, but not more than two per species, then largest fish overall will be disqualified. If both are more than 10, and more than two per species, both largest fish overall and largest fish of that species will be disqualified. The tourney is run on the honor system: No discarding of fish for others of higher point value. The tournament board wants all divers to be safe and have fun….and to practice.
There will be an informational meeting to all participants prior to event day.
The entry fee is $25 per diver (all proceeds, prizes, awards and food), and applications can be mailed to Martin Lugo: 4400 Ede Rd. Omao, HI 96756 (808) 652-2439 or Reyton Siliado: PO Box 787, Hanapepe, HI, 96716 (808) 335-0505. Call Martin or Reyton for information on where to get an application or for more information.
