Following the forum rules and introducing myself. I was born and raised in the former Canal Zone in Panama and started spearfishing in the 50's with the French Arbolet spearguns. I essentially grew up on the ocean and spearfished in Panama until I left in late 1978 to live in the U.S. (Montana, Seattle, Washington, D.C.) and did occasional scuba diving trip until I moved to South Florida in mid 90's when I started spearfishing and lobstering again (freediving). Moved to Singapore and took all of my spearfishing gear, Riffe Mid handle spearguns plus all the accoutrements but never got to use them. Did a fair amount of scuba diving but no spearfishing. Returned to U.S. in 2004 to north Texas and have not been spearfishing since a short trip to Panama in 2003.
Retired in December 2011 here in North Texas, started late and have 13 year old twins, Had a birthday last December that ended with a big zero (those are tough especially the 7th one). Started chasing kids , soccer, piano, etc., and felt like I was getting old - SO, pulled out all of my spearo gear, bought new bands for my 50 & 55 inch Riffe spearguns, cleaned up my Omer mask & snorkel, looking for open cell freediving wetsuit (Speardiver or xxxxx ok Speardiver ), and made plans for family vacation (their first) to Panama next month and I'm getting back in the water, and now talking with James Curtis at Cortez Club in La Paz and planning a Spring Spearfishing trip (me alone - kids in school) to hunt big cold water Yellowtail in Sea of Cortez in April or May. Also planning to return end of next year to La Paz so twins can swim with Whale Sharks and I get to try for Tuna or Wahoo/Ono next Fall.
Feel lost landlocked in North Texas far from divable ocean - but family is settled so hope to make a trip or two a year to spearfish. got the bug again and trying to get back in freediving shape.
Sorry for being long winded - so hi! Nice to be here. Will find an avatar to post soon. Thanks!