New member introduction

  • Hello everyone, My name is John, I am almost 62. I moved to Tagaytay, Philippines in 3/13/2014. I have lived in Florida, USA for most of my life got bored with life and moved here to the Philippines.I am a certified diver but been many years since diving. My plan is to start beach free diving and spearfishing of course. But plan maybe to scuba. Rather disappointed cant spearfish with tanks. I live here in Tagaytay with my Filipina girlfriend. I'm going crazy if i cant start getting underwater soon.My love is the sea. I would like to meet people in my area to freedive with.And i must say i'm a beginner at freediving now for it has been so long. I'm going to Manila this week and try to find a speargun. Not alot of choices to buy them here.I don't know where to go but looking hard on internet if anyone can help, great. Help Help.I have two children. A son 24 and a daughter 28 that both live in Lakeland,Fl area. I am looking forward to meeting people as i read about the fellow who has a beachhouse up near Vigan ,Ph. I almost went there a month and a half ago to look around. My girlfriend is from Narvacan and has relatives there.I have many ex hobbies but my heart is under water or ontop catching fish. Please anyone interested in contacting me feel free. John Shaw Hooksalot2@gmail.com Thanks everone, John and Sharon.

  • Welcome to the forum John and Sharon, I wish you well on your new journey without the bubbles. Soon you will never look back I predict.


    Cheers, Don

    "Great mother ocean brought forth all life, it is my eternal home'' Don Berry from Blue Water Hunters.


    Spearfishing Store the freediving and spearfishing equipment specialists.

  • Hi John,
    Welcome to the forum:-).


    I don't know about your particular area, but a lot of the Philippines is pretty heavily over-fished. Going down on tanks popping the last remaining groupers wont help much in that regard - yeah, just a way of saying I think your plan off getting into freediving makes a lot of sense and is way more sporty.


    That said, you will be able to find fish there, just perhaps not every day. There are still smaller and medium sized jacks around and I actually really like them for table fish. They are very good on the bbq. Good thing about them is that they are probably the most curious fish on the (edge of the) reef.


    Parrotfish can be very few and skittish in places but if you happen to be in a place where you deem the population healthy, I wouldn't mind taking one. They keep the reef in shape, though, so they are definitely needed.


    But in general, the pickings are not easy, so you'd need a longer gun than just a reefie. I think a lot of the spearos in the Phiilppines are using 110cm as the smallest. But then again, the newer crop of Euro pipe guns like the Pathos shoot very well and have long effective band-length. I don't think there is a Pathos dealer in the PPs, though. But I think someone imports Hammerhead guns. I don't know if they are good or not, but others here might chime in.


    I am sure Dan or e.g. a Pathos dealer could ship you a gun, but there might be (severe?) custom duties. Best thing would be to ask a visiting friend from Europe or US to bring you one. I have brought guns in and out of PPs without issue (I go there for vacations).


    I have a local friend who used to shoot a 110 Hammerhead, I think. He changed to a 100 Salvimar Predathor Vuoto which is a pneumatic and he is very, very happy with his increase in range and power. He had the Salvimar dealer import the gun especially for him, though.


    I remember an interesting thread from another guy who had settled in the PPs, it's worth a read. I will try to dig it up for you.
    [just found the one I had in mind, but emailed you a lot more links]: http://spearfishing.world/gene…ecret-technique-talk.html

  • I was to understand you cannot bring a speargun into the Philippines. It is so difficult to find a big gun here. Must wait almost 2 months and pay 50% down

  • I was to understand you cannot bring a speargun into the Philippines. It is so difficult to find a big gun here. Must wait almost 2 months and pay 50% down


    With your new intense Prez things might have changed. I did come across a post recently saying they are now, supposedly, banned from entering...
    Let's see if it will be enforced.


    Yeah, I think my friend waited that long, too. His was a "specialty" gun, though, being air which doesn't sell at all in PPs. But if a distributor can still bring them in, then it's all up in the air as always in that country;-).


    Can you work with wood? You could consider building one yourself? There are many here who could help you with what trigger mech and such to get. But even getting good rubbers, you'd have to have it shipped in. Unless, again, a friend from the US could bring it all for you.


    It sounds like you are going to spend a few more decades there, so you may have to chill a bit for now and think ahead;-). I'd personally pursue the following options:


    - Check local options/distributors/importers. I mentioned Hammerhead and Salvimar. Maybe Hammerhead PPs is on Facebook. I will ask my friend about contacts, too.


    - There's at least one facebook group for PPs spearos, I think. Get on that and ask about the above and ask if anyone is selling 2nd hand guns.


    - Ask about friends coming over. Obviously, there's the risk of losing a gun in customs if new regulations are for real and enforced - and they care to X-ray your visitors.


    - Building your own, though having a friend bringing you everything except the blank would probably be an advantage.

  • From my Pinay friend:


    [INDENT]Yes i have a friend Jake who is a seller of Salvimar here in the Philippines, his Facebook shop is FreedivePH. The hammerhead distributor is in Mandaue Cebu, Cortez Dive shop. Yes there is a FB group of local spearos, i Will add you up. I still have my hammerhead gun here, the bands are new.[/INDENT]


    So, John, If you send me your facebook account name, I will add you to that spearing group as soon as I am added. And I will put you in touch with my friend in case you are interested in his Hammerhead.


    Best,
    David

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