Summers first competition

I'm going to attend the first spearfishing competition of the season tomorrow at Kotka. I have not been able to practice that much but I hope to catch at least some fish. Anyway, it is always nice to go spearfishing in nice waters where there is (at least) a chance to catch big fish. Of course I won't get any big fishes, but it is always nice to know that it might be possible.

Spearfishing Finnish Championships, when everything goes wrong!

Last weekend I attended the spearfishing Finnish Championships at Kustavi. I did not have that big competitive goals, but my aim was to catch one fish each day. Before going to the water this still felt reasonable, but very soon I realised that even catching one fish during the weekend would be quite good accomplishment.

The first day of the competition was held nearby the Lanskeri . Visibility was rather poor, but a bit deeper you could see enough for fishing. As I like to catch the perches I first tried this, but soon found that there ain't any (or at least I could not find any). After trying to find the perches I realised that the only chance to catch a fish was to go to the reeds. So, I started to go trough these, but had no luck. I did not even see a fish that would have been legal catch.

After bit less than four hours and bit more than 2 kilometers of swimming I finally went back to the start. I soon realised that I really was not the only one without fish. 20 other competitors had the same take. Poor...

Now this is when everything started to go wrong. Even though I tried to drink as much as I could and had, apparently I did not drank enough. At the evening before going to bed my stomach started to ache. Then when I went to bed the stomach started to cramp and after midnight it was totally terrible. At 2.30 A.M. I realized that I have to do something, and went to empty my stomach. It did help a bit and eased drinking. After this the cramps went a way and I was able to sleep... What a horrible night that was!

Well. For the second day the base was not that good, due to the energy loss and bad night sleep. I, however, managed to get good energy from eating and drinking and decided to parttake the other day as well. This day was at the Tiuskrunni. Visibility was much better as well. However the fact that someone had said that there ain't no fish was bit annoying.

I first tried to find the fish nearby the starting point, but soon realized that there ain't any. Then, after reading the map I decided to swim to a islet nearby. I started to swim towards it and finally found it. This place looked very good and I started to dive. After some time the waves started to affect me and I had to go to the islet to rest a while and to get rid of nausea. After the rest I felt good again and started to dive again.

After couple of dives I managed to see one whitefish. Unfortunately it was only about 10 centimeters or bit more, so not a good catch. I continued diving and then suddenly, my stomach decided that it was too much of the waves for me... and that was pretty much the competition for me. I swam back to the starting point and got out of the water. I soon realized that I really was not the only one. There was lots of people all ready due to the fact there was not fish at all. This day only two legal whitefishes were catched.

So, what did I gain from the competition. 1350 kilometers to my car and lots of experience. This was, after all, the first time I've been spearfishing in the sea. Now I also know that the waves are different in the sea and are, how to put it, more effective. That is, medication for seasickness is needed. Also, a compass might be a good idea, since I actually managed to swim to incorrect islet on the second day. Next year I will be much wiser!

Spearfishing is, after all, the best hobby there is! =)

Competitive spearfishing

Last weeks saturday (21st of July) I participated my first spearfishing competition. I was bit suspicious about my performance (as were my girlfriend and my friends), but I ended up doing quite well. I managed to catch 2 pikes and three perches (out of which, unfortunately, one was too small). Altogether I got 41 points (the rules of spearfishing, including the point system can be found here) and ended up to be 19th in a competition of 35 participants. Have to admit that I'm bit proud of myself! =) (Final results from here)

PS. My ice hockey season started yesterday! It is so weird to go to the ice hall when it is 'bout 23 grades of celcius outside... Way too big difference. However, it was nice to be on ice again.