WHY PAIRS?

The Pairs concept has been going on successfully in New Zealand for many decades now, it was brought in to combat the incidence of mishap to the individual diver and since its inception there has been no major injury to a spearfisher during these team events. This pairs format is also what is used in the Inter Pacific Spearfsihing Championships that our Australian team enters against countries such as New Zealand, New Caledonia, Guam, Tahiti and Hawaii.

The USFA is always excited to offer this safe concept to its members.  The Pairs style of diving guarantees improvement in the individual’s spearfishing and diving skill and ensures safer practice due to the “one up one down” nature of the event. The one diver “up” on the surface is able to look out for his descending team-mate’s safety both below and on top of the water.

Grommets (under 16) are able to enter with a Parent or older diver, so not only will it ensure great enjoyment with the family, but it can also see greater knowledge handed down to the next generation. Throw in great fish prizes and awards for the teams and everyone can walk away smiling from a great day in the water.

The fish sheet for this format also differs to regular club events. A highly restricted fish sheet, and only one fish of each specie can be presented and weighed per pair, per day!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Some helpful points that may answer some questions:

• It’s a great idea to read the rules, then read them again. If you can’t be bothered some of the key rules are mentioned below.
• Bring your floats to the event, however only one float is used for each pair, this float will be marked with your given team number for the weekend – keep reading.
• You will need to supply your pair (team) with a 4m line (this is the short line the surface team member attached to his gun and then to the float), a requirement for you to have on you. This is one of two lines, the other being more than 6m and less than 40m see Rule 4.6
• Rule 3.6 where one member of the team must be connected to the 4m line the other member must be connected to the longer line, at all times. Therefore, it is a great idea to ensure you have shark clips on your guns (you each carry a gun) and shark clips on your shared float. 
• One member of the pair is always on the surface see rule 3.4
• Rule 3.9 A team member may assist their team mate to land a fish. However, one diver must remain on the surface.
• It is imperative to have one diver in the pair on the surface at all times.
• Everyone leaves and returns to the same area. It is a rock hopping event – no boats.
• Arrive at the location at least 45 minutes before starting time.
• When you come back ensure you sign off so we don’t go looking for you, and present your fish in an enclosed esky or tub, iced is preferable, at the designated weigh in location at Tomakin Sports and Social Club (where ice will be available from the ice machine) – Ensure your catch is iced down and looked after, ready to cook and eat!.
• Your catch must be entirely gutted and gilled, best to do this in the water during the event.
• Minimum weights begin from 450gm for most species. Banded and Red Morwong, Snapper and Dusky Flathead 675gm, Rock Blackfish 1kg, Mulloway and Kingfish 3kg.

WEIGH IN PROCEDURE:

• At the entrance to the weigh in area there will be a set of ‘Test Scales’ where you may check your fish make the minimum weight. 
• If you are unsure on how well your fish are gilled and gutted, here is the chance to ask the Assistant if they are satisfactory.
• Your fish will now be bagged and marked and placed in the line for presentation to the Weigh Master, they cannot be touched by you now.
• The Weigh Master will check your catch and perhaps weigh some individual fish to ensurer minimum weight is met.
• He will count out the number of fish and declare a total weight on the scale.
• Once you agree this will be recorded.
• Any large species you may have for fish prizes, you can take these fish to the Fish Board where an assistant will check your individual fish weights.  If your fish is large enough compared to the others presented, you will be added to the Fish Prize Board.  Fingers crossed no -one gets a bigger one!

There will be an award for the Best Teams and some Age Categories as well Prizes for  different species of fish for both Seniors and Juniors!

Join us for a weekend in the ocean to practice the latest advancements in safe skindiving and help to preach the safe diving message to others.

Spearfish safely – practice one up one down.