Southern Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Beginner Spearfishing Retreat
Beginner Spearfishing Retreat
4 Days • Join the Waitlist
Get competent, confident and have fun spearfishing over a long weekend in our Beginner Spearfishing Retreat
Over 3 days in our Beginner Spearfishing Retreat in 1770, Central Queensland and the Southern Great Barrier Reef, you will develop the skills, techniques and knowledge to be able to hunt, shoot, dispatch, prepare and cook your own fish with confidence. It’s more than a course.
These events are more than just a course. Participants, Instructors and Assistants all hang out together and often people make friends and dive buddies for life. Together we go on a structured journey designed to help you gradually acquire the skills, confidence and knowledge to begin spearfishing.
The course begins with introductions, a meal and then progresses into the water on day 1. The Padi freediving course is delivered with 100% spearfishing in mind and therefore provides you with confidence in the water, good dive technique and an awareness of safety.
From there, we learn about spearguns, how to use them safely and competently and do a land-based exercise followed by target practice in the water. We also learn species identification with a focus on what you are likely to encounter and especially what not to target (no take species).
Healthy spearfishing is always focused on sustainability. One breath, one shot, one fish. We show you how to shoot the fish, dispatch, bleed and gut the fish. We take this a step further and even get you involved in the filleting process, the cooking and we all love the eating part.
If you want to go on a unique learning experience with likeminded people, this course might be for you.
What's Included
What's Included
- PADI Online Learning (complete prior to retreat)
- PADI Freediver Certification
- 2 Full Days Out on the Great Barrier Reef aboard a Specialized Dive Boat
- Filleting Demonstration (and involvement)
- 3 Way Fish Cookup Involvement (Usually Ceviche, Salt and Vinegar Crumbed Fish and Hot Smoking but often more!)
- Some meals provided
- Dive weights are provided free of charge
Itinerary
Itinerary
Day 1 (Thursday)
- Arrive early arvo in 1770 for theory and introductions.
- Transfer to accommodation and settle in
- Welcome drinks/snacks and orientation to the town / the reef etc
- Have dinner together (pizza place)
Day 2 (Friday)
- Breathing Workshop and stretching
- Complete Padi Freediver Enclosed Water Activities and target practice
- Speargun & Equipment Workshop
- Species ID & Hunting Techniques Workshop
Dinner provided: Instructors or Backpackers Chef to cater
Day 3 (Saturday) | all day Boat activities
- Board vessel and depart for Great Barrier Reef (Bunker Group)
- Complete PADI Freediver Live Diving Requirements
- Lunch on the boat
- Guided spearfishing in buddy pairs
- Catch and Cook Activity (smoking fish, sashimi, ceviche, 99 Spearo Recipes)
Day 4 (Sunday) | all day Boat activities
- Board vessel and depart for Great Barrier Reef (Bunker Group)
- Guided spearfishing in buddy pairs
- Rotate guides and get feedback all day
- 1 guide in each session will be working to help put you on fish
- Debrief at restaurant, dinner and celebrate
Agencies
Agencies
- PADI
Languages
Languages
- English
Meeting Point
Meeting Point
Important
Important
If you already have some basic competence, you will learn even more and take your spearing to the next level.
There is full hire gear available onsite but you will need:
- Mask and snorkel
- Freediving or spearfishing fins
- 2 piece Wetsuit (3mm or if you feel the cold a 5mm). I wear a 3mm bottom and 5mm top but Tom Sandstrom (Instructor) will wear a full 5mm suit.
- Speargun, float and rigline
- Weight belt
- Dive knife
- Hooded towels are excellent, but a beach towel works for changing and breathwork/stretching (laying on the ground)
- Sunscreen
- Big water bottle
- Alcohol
- Food (some meals provided)
- Accommodation: our team will be staying at Backpackers @ 1770. You'll receive a discount code to book your stay if you so wish, options start from $29USD.
Cancellations
Cancellations
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