How old is too old for spearfishing?

  • In my view there's no such a thing as "too old" for enjoying the sport we have embraced for all our, in my case, quite long lives. It's a matter of physical, mental and emotial state :thumbsup2:
    Given a reasonably healthy physical condition, no medical "no-nos", as heart conditions,or any other really limiting condition it's perfectly possible to continue spearfishing and freediving "till death do us part" from our beloved sea :cool2:
    Of course, our exploits will be adapted to be compatible with our particular situation. No more "testosterone induced" pushing the limits, no more "show off", nobody to impress any more :crazy:
    Just a simple, safe and wonderful diving experience within the comfort zone having taken all safety measures and precautions more to the letter than when, not so long ago (in our minds...) we were both immortals and invincible :laughing:
    The baby boomer generation is still going strong after 65, myself a glorious 67, my lawyer a whooping 85 and he still goes spearfishing. I consider him the most impressive case of "geronto-diver" I've known.
    Depths will be shallower but not less attractive, apnea times will be shorter but no less fulfilling, catches may not be as numerous but they certainly will be as exciting! :thumbsup2:
    I'd love to get statistics on how many spear- freedivers over 65 are still active. I wouldn't be surprised to learn more about what I already know. We "oldies" might not do IT deeper, or Longer, but we still do it and enjoy it!
    Like I like to say: Today's 60's are yesterday's 40', on steroids!"
    I'm looking for peer's opinion, suggestions and comments. What particular care are they taking, how have they adapted their sorties, anecdotes, etc. Hope this new thread will incite my contemporaries, as you say, to participate.

  • As much as my son and step sons tease me about being the old man, I honestly feel my best days are ahead of me.
    And, I get a thrill out of seeing the boys get fish. The younger ones are so stoked each time they get the biggest fish of their life. I hear the story about 5 more times after we get home as they smile from ear to ear. Yep. Getting old and doing this ain't bad at all.

  • I'm 61 in March and honestly don't feel any slowdown in the water. What has changed is my drive to keep spearing larger and larger fish, and winning trophy's. Before my son was born my ego and a strong drive to dive deeper and kill large fish prevailed. I am very happy now and at peace with my dive skills. I plan to keep diving into my 90's, my dad was still tuff at 86 when he passed from pneumonia after shoveling snow at home.
    I'll stay away from the cold stuff.;)


    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.

  • As pretty much a beginning diver and still young at 34, you all are an inspiration to me. I am highly physically active and it is good to know with the right care I can enjoy my new favorite sport for a long long time. Thanks and keep up the good work.

  • In 2009 I had two stents put in my heart and suffer from the condition called heart failure. Who the hell names these things. I picture a bunch of Doctors sitting arround a table and one saying "I know let call it heart failure" My reaction is if I were a coolant pump in a nuclear reactor plant and we had pump failure that would be bad! Why couldn't they call it Heart underachiever or Heart Handicapped.


    I told the Doctor if I can't go spearfishing any more after the operation just kill me now. He had no sense of humor of that I know of and he didn't kill me. Neither has spearfishing. Some of my meds inhibit my ability to hold my breath as long as I used to but it's the Indian Right!


    Actually I feel best when I am in the water. I fish from 7:00 Am to 11:30AM every day and then again from 3:00pm to Sunset. We live right on the China Sea in the Philippines. I have sleep apnea and suffer from cronic sleepness. Sex and Fishing is all I have left. I will give up sex if I have too choose. But I use a big stick for both.

  • Where is Hau. He is at least 100??


    Yes brother, I am 62 and stil here. :laughing: Thank you for the kind words as always sir.
    My spearin has almost stopped as I have taken up doing triathlons :crazy: But me and MaryLotus are planning to spear in Guam soon.
    I notice I can't spear as deep as long as I used to, but I can still wiggle my worm :bed:
    I get GREAT enjoyment in younger spearos enthusiasm and being able to share what knowledge I have acquired over the years. I envy many spearos like Don and Hank who get to watch their sons grow up spearin.
    I watch in despair as our spearin rights and freedoms are taken away from us.
    I watch in despair as spearin loved ones and aquaintances pass from us.

  • 57, going on 39. :D


    Actually I feel best when I am in the water. I fish from 7:00 Am to 11:30AM every day and then again from 3:00pm to Sunset. We live right on the China Sea in the Philippines. I have sleep apnea and suffer from cronic sleepness. Sex and Fishing is all I have left. I will give up sex if I have too choose. But I use a big stick for both.


    And a stone shot on a tanguigue (spanish mackerel) with what looks like a Wong 55 hybrid.....loaded into the back two of three holes. I'm liking this guy more and more.
    Nickmal, I'll be in Antique, Panay in August. Manila for as little time as possible. You're way north on Luzon?

  • So spearfishing is like the Golf PGA. Over 50 is Seniors Tour. We get dumped on "Old Man's Reef" when out on our friend's boats.
    "Yeah, over there at about 15 feet deep, we saw a few hogfish the other day. We'll come back for you...." :D

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