Posts by imfrenchie

  • Cuba spearfishing

    I just came back from a 3 week trip in Cuba (spearfishing/freediving/visiting friends). While far from a pro, all the experience I had came from hunting down the southern coast over there. I have a Goddaughter (my friend's daughter) and I often go over there to check on her and visit my friend (I'm Canadian so there is no problem). I first went there when I was 11, and fell in love with the whole diving scene. Everyday for the almost 1 month the humanitarian mission (canadian-cuban friendship organization) lasted when I first went, I was in the water with my friend who is about my dad's age.


    Him being a lifeguard, and having vast knowledge in freediving in the area, it always felt ok to go (he had my mom's approval and trust), despite my young age. Every now and then I would visit him and we would go spearfishing in the morning and eat the fish we caught at lunch or during the evening.


    I like how in the first posts of this thread where Cuba was described as a place with a lot of freedom when it comes to spearfishing. I never got a license, use a 2L plastic bottle as my float, and never went with any gear whatsoever. I learned to spearfish with a "criollo" pneumatic gun, and all the fish we catch are consumed.


    Going there is for me a way to help someone I care about, but helps me realize how lucky I am to be able to live in a comfortable life, to practice such a sport.It has helped me be more humble about things and to appreciate what I have.


    As a student I'm definitely not rich at the moment, but I always try to bring a little something to my friend and GD. This year was the first time I had enough money to afford a whole set of equipment, including a brand new cyrano 850 from Mares. Those of you who have been to Cuba know that Cubans love their pneumatics, specially considering the bands are almost impossible to get there.


    Also, not specie is really off-limit; lionsfish are a delicacy now that it is known they can be consumed. Of course there is always the danger of getting stung, specially with no equipment other than a pair of scissors.


    I'll try to find some photos.

  • Spearos from Quebec, Canada

    Hello everybody,


    I'm a newcomer to the community of spearfishing but I've been reading a lot on the subjects in the past few weeks.


    I learned how to spearfish in Cuba when I was 11 years old, and have been going there to spearfish for the last 15 years, on and off.


    While many have learned to use a bandgun initially, I learned to fish using a "criollo" pneumatic gun my friend had over there.


    I just came back from there actually, spent over 3 weeks spearfishing/freediving in the southern coast of Cuba. It was the first time I brought my own gun (a Cyrano 850 from Mares), which I donated to my friend as a gift for 15 years of friendship.


    I'm however now back to the Gatineau/Ottawa region to finish my studies (Am from Montréal).


    Wanted to say hi to the people from the Community, and hopefully make new acquaintances be it from Canada, or any spearos that shares the same passion of me for being in the Water!


    If someone has questions about reef spearfishing in Cuba, don't be afraid to ask Not an expert, but I know the ins and outs of living there.