How To Pack Your Spearfishing Equipment For A Trip Abroad

Today, our focus will be on the essential aspect of traveling overseas with spearfishing gear. This holds significant importance because, as you embark on a journey spanning 4,000 miles, investing between 5k to 10k, along with your time and energy, the planning of spearfishing expeditions becomes a crucial consideration. Whether pondering these adventures months or even years in advance, having explored numerous locations, particularly in the Pacific's island chains like Hawaii, Tahiti, and Fiji, it becomes evident that these remote areas can either enhance or jeopardize your trip depending on your level of preparedness. Luggage Requirements To begin with, I'd like to discuss the initial steps before delving into packing and preparing for your journey. Before the actual process of organizing your luggage and gearing up for the trip, I strongly advise undertaking a few essential tasks. Firstly, connect with the airline – make a call, engage in conversations with fellow travelers on Instagram, and seek insights from team members who have experience in similar ventures. Numerous individuals are usually willing to share valuable information about their travel essentials, past destinations, and challenges encountered with various airlines. It's crucial to conduct thorough research. When I initiated this journey, I invested considerable hours conversing with airline representatives and fellow travelers to identify potential hurdles that could jeopardize or inflate the costs of my trip. Through these experiences, I've compiled key components to consider. The foremost factor involves examining the luggage requirements set by different providers and airlines. Traveling from Hawaii, which is inherently remote, presents unique challenges with limited airline options. A select few airlines connect us to mainland areas, and even our international airport has restrictions. The luggage weight restriction is a significant concern, necessitating an inquiry into the maximum weight allowed for both check-in and carry-on bags. Some destinations may require alternative cargo providers due to weight constraints. For those, like myself, not transporting an extensive load of spearfishing gear, cameras, and additional equipment, the weight restriction remains a critical factor. I opt for a minimal setup, carrying only a couple of GoPros and a drone. However, individuals with more extensive equipment face additional challenges. The content they create may be exceptional, but the logistics of transporting spearfishing gear, cameras, and other items are undoubtedly complex. Consideration of weight restrictions extends to both check-in and carry-on baggage. Main flights often offer more leniency compared to remote connector flights. In destinations like French Polynesia, where connector flights to extremely remote areas may have a limit as low as 25 kilograms, early arrival becomes crucial. Understanding the specific time frame for luggage check-in is vital. I recommend arriving at the earliest possible time, even a day in advance if feasible, as these flights are often utilized by locals transporting goods to remote islands. To avoid potential complications, arriving early ensures your luggage is among the first to be checked in, especially when dealing with flights that operate once a week. Locals often use these flights to transport household goods or other products to their family members on remote islands. Being among the first to check in increases the likelihood that your luggage will make it onto the plane and reach your destination simultaneously, preventing any disruption to your spearfishing expedition. This practice has proven effective in minimizing the risk of missing crucial flights and experiencing gear-related setbacks during international travel with spearfishing equipment. Make Sure You Have Everything You (Might) Need Next, I'd like to emphasize another crucial aspect: ensuring you have all the essentials and then some. When venturing to extremely remote locations and investing substantial amounts, it's imperative not to find yourself stranded without a necessary item, settling for small reef fish instead of the impressive pelagics you aspire to shoot. Allow me to elaborate on what I typically bring along. My preferred setup includes a standard sport tube and a backpack in most instances. I tend to avoid an additional check bag, particularly when traveling to tropical destinations, where board shorts and flip-flops are the norm. However, in colder climates, dipping into the 70s, I make exceptions, packing a jacket and some warm attire. Maintaining a lightweight approach is my preference. I've calculated that my sport tube, with all the equipment showcased here, falls within the acceptable weight limit, approximately 30 kilos. This aligns with the allowances of most airlines for mainland flights and Pacific island chains. Should I need to reduce weight for connector flights, a simple solution involves transferring my rigging bag, weight belt, and two floats into my backpack, bringing the total down to around 20-22 kilos. Now, let me delve into the specifics of what I pack. I consistently carry two sets of carbon fins, having encountered instances where one was lost or damaged. Two spearguns—165 and 135—both rollers, provide versatility for hunting a wide range of marine life. Four shafts, two per gun, complete with cable and spectra, ensure I'm equipped for the potential challenges of shark-infested waters and sharp reefs. I also bring two masks, strategically stored in their original housing to prevent breakage during transit. Essential accessories include a 100ft float line, a 50ft bungee, and my trusty flasher rig. To adapt to varying water temperatures, I pack two wetsuits—3mm and 5mm—and mix and match as needed. Additionally, I carry a selection of spare parts, including extra rollers, vacuum-sealed bands, and tools in my rigging bag for on-the-go repairs. Anticipating potential mishaps, I pack two sets of booties and gloves, two snorkels, and a spare lock for my sport tube to avoid any unexpected issues during the journey. Lastly, having a go-to bag for daily use on the boat is indispensable, preventing chaos and ensuring that everything stays organized and accessible throughout the expedition. How I Pack My Sportstube To commence the packing process, I consistently place my weight belt at the bottom of the sport tube, rolling up my towel and nestling it alongside for added cushioning. It's essential to pack the bottom section, allowing for a framed structure with approximately three and a half feet of packing space above. The tube should be positioned upright since laying it down won't accommodate all the gear effectively. Following this, I position my go-to bag on top of the weight belt. The shafts are then carefully arranged in the far right back corner, with the larger gun, a 165, placed in the left section of the sport tube, shaft included for video demonstration purposes. The second gun is positioned toward the rear right side, creating a framework that facilitates middle packing. Both sets of fins are inserted with the fin pockets facing down. To enhance rigidity and prevent movement between the fins, I secure them together using velcro straps with turnbuckles. The floats, separating the two sets of fins, are placed in the middle. On top of these, I add my two wetsuits, fortifying the structure further. With the foundational items in place, I incorporate the float lines, rigging bag, and miscellaneous items like flashers. As the packing progresses, there should be ample room for personal items such as soap, shampoo, and other smaller belongings. To complete the packing, the top of the sport tube is securely placed over the contents, ensuring everything is snugly fitted. It's crucial to double-check that the fins are tucked inside and not protruding, a task made easier by keeping the tube upright during the process. Finally, the lock is secured on top, acting as a safeguard for the gear. With this method, the packed sport tube weighs around 30 kilos, and once additional items like soap and miscellaneous gear are included, it typically totals around 32 to 34 kilos.
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Visualization For Deep Freediving

Greetings everyone, I'm Christian Castano, a freediving athlete hailing from Colombia. I'm proud to be a member of the Alchemy team, and today I'll be delving into a crucial aspect of our freediving training – visualization. Specifically, I'll be concentrating on its application during deep dives, intensive training sessions, and competitive freediving. What Is Visualization? Visualization is a technique rooted in sports psychology, aiming to reshape our external reality through the lens of our mental perception. This method is designed to enhance concentration, alleviate stress, and facilitate the seamless execution of planned actions during deep dives or any critical freediving moments. The key is to incorporate these visualizations systematically into our minds while maintaining a fluid and relaxed approach. By doing so, we embed these mental images in our brains, creating a connection that blurs the line between reality and our thoughts. Essentially, the power of the mind is harnessed, allowing us to feel as if we have already undertaken the dive through the strength of visualization. How To Visualize Many individuals believe that visualizing a deep dive requires holding one's breath. However, I recommend starting the process without breath-holding, in a relaxed setting such as a bed or yoga mat. Begin by envisioning the entire sequence of the dive, starting from the moment of preparation and arrival at the dive site. In a competition scenario, imagine the surroundings, including photographers, judges, and the safety team. Consider the countdown, creating a mental picture to prepare for the actual competition moment. It's crucial to remember all the steps involved in your dive, including specific countdowns for disciplines like free immersion. Ensure you incorporate details like reaching the freefall phase, maintaining proper body position, executing the turn, grabbing the tag, and initiating the ascent. Pay close attention to the recovery breaths and surface protocol, embedding these actions in your mind to react automatically in case of low oxygen levels, preventing issues like blackout or samba. When practicing visualization, lie down on a yoga mat and focus on positive thoughts about achieving a personal best or a deep dive. Recognize the power of the mind, as even without breath-holding, your heart rate may increase. Emphasize positive emotions, sensations, and feelings during the visualization, conditioning your mind to expect a great experience during the actual dive. This approach helps manage mental challenges, expectations, fears, and nervousness, contributing to a more successful and enjoyable freediving experience. My Personal Experience Allow me to share my experience with visualization exercises and how they played a crucial role in my freediving journey. This story unfolds during my time in Honduras in 2019, specifically on the island of Roatan, where I was gearing up for the world championship. A challenging twist occurred when, just before commencing my training, I developed abdominal pain and discovered that my appendix had burst. This unforeseen circumstance landed me in the hospital for ten days, followed by an additional 20 days of mandated recovery without water activities. With no opportunity for physical training, including breath-hold exercises, I turned to visualization as my sole means of preparation for the impending world championship. Embracing this practice, I dedicated mornings and afternoons, lying on a yoga mat in a relaxed state, even without holding my breath. My focus was on cultivating positive thoughts about how each aspect of the competition would feel. A few days prior to the competition, I sought approval from the doctor to resume water activities, and with the green light, I had only one day for a brief dive check, reaching around 40 meters. Despite my body not being physically prepared for such diving, my mind was remarkably ready, thanks to the consistent visualization. On the competition day, I announced a dive close to my personal best, 85 meters, with my previous record standing at 87 meters. Although my body wasn't optimally conditioned, my relaxed and stress-free mental state, nurtured by visualization, made a significant impact. Arriving at the official line, I experienced zero nervousness or stress. I approached the dive with an accepting mindset, acknowledging that success or failure wouldn't define my performance since I hadn't trained physically. To my delight, the dive turned out to be one of the best and most amazing experiences of my life. It unfolded flawlessly, without equalization issues, and I resurfaced cleanly, earning a white card. This anecdote attests to the effectiveness of visualization in enhancing the mental aspect of freediving. However, I also recognize the importance of balancing mental and physical preparation, as demonstrated by a later blackout on the last day of a week-long competition. It serves as a reminder that while mental training is a primary tool in freediving, a well-conditioned body is equally vital. Exercises & Tips As mentioned earlier, a beneficial way to commence visualization is by doing it without holding your breath, simply relaxing on the bed. However, as part of my evolving training routine, I gradually introduced breath-holding after attaining a state of relaxation through extensive visualization and dive repetition. I noticed that incorporating calm breath holds, coupled with imagining my deep dives, significantly extended my static breath hold duration. Essentially, visualizing deep diving became my go-to for static breath holds, contributing to a notable improvement in my overall performance. Another valuable tip I'd like to share involves recording yourself during the various phases and steps of your dive. Walk yourself through each element, from the initial pull or kick to the duck dive, mouth fill, charge, recharge, and the free fall phase. State the actual time it takes to reach each point, aligning it with your known breath-holding capabilities. Even if your dive duration is short compared to your breath-holding capacity, set the breath hold duration accordingly to ingrain the information in your mind. Describe each action during the turn and ascent, simulating the self-talk you'd engage in during the actual dive. This method systematically organizes the information and actions, reducing the likelihood of errors. Emphasizing the inclusion of recovery breaths in your visualization is crucial. By doing so, you prepare for scenarios like a samba or nearing a blackout, ensuring you respond appropriately with proper breathing and a thorough surface protocol. In conclusion, this is how visualization has profoundly assisted me, and I hope these insights prove helpful to you. Until next time, ciao!
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Deeper Blue Reviews Our Heavy Freediving Neck Weight

In a recent review by Deeper Blue, the spotlight is on Alchemy's latest innovation—the Heavy neckweight. Building on the success of the acclaimed Alchemy Freediving neckweights, this silver-hued accessory promises to redefine the freediving experience with its unique blend of increased weight, enhanced comfort, and streamlined functionality. Meet Heavy Deeper Blue's earlier review had sung praises for the original Alchemy Freediving neckweights, particularly the 1.55kg/3.4lbs model. However, it seems the diving community's call for a heavier yet more compact alternative has been answered with the introduction of the Alchemy Heavy neckweight. Boasting a wider form factor, the Alchemy Heavy not only provides more weight but does so without adding unnecessary length around the neck. This design innovation distributes weight more comfortably along the back of the neck, minimizing drag during vertical dives and ensuring a secure fit. The silver color of the Alchemy Heavy neckweight, as noted by Deeper Blue, serves a dual purpose—beyond aesthetics, it enhances visibility in dark waters. Reflecting light as effectively as white, it makes it easier for diving buddies to track each other during underwater excursions. Weighing in at 2kg/4.4 lbs, the Heavy model is deemed by Deeper Blue as an ideal match for a 3mm wetsuit. While it may be slightly light for extended pool glides, it excels at speeds of at least a meter per second, providing the perfect balance for discerning freedivers. Highlighted under specific benefits are features that make the Alchemy Heavy neckweight stand out. The wider form factor not only increases comfort but also prevents slipping during vertical dives. The clip-free design allows for swift removal in emergency situations, and its easy adjustability ensures a personalized fit for users. Deeper Blue also notes the neckweight's durability, emphasizing its robust construction with thick silicone over a lead bar, eliminating concerns of lead leakage or structural breakdown. In conclusion, Deeper Blue hails the Alchemy Heavy neckweight as a natural evolution of the already lauded Alchemy neckweight series. Its elegance, efficiency, and durability make it an indispensable accessory for serious freedivers. While acknowledging the premium price tag, Deeper Blue emphasizes that with proper care, these neckweights are poised to endure for decades, solidifying their status as a sound investment in the realm of freediving.
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Tatsumi
30/05/2023
JAPAN
Freediving Neck Weight

There is a little hardness, but it looks beautiful! My husband and I love it in different colors. I often shoot videos underwater, but it's very stylish.

Verified Buyer
Martin Kristensen
30/11/2020
NORWAY
alchemy V3

I bought the V3 as my 1st set of fins, and they have performed really well for me, for over 5 years now. My Pathos foot pocket is a bit too stiff to use without socks. But all in all I'm very happy with the product.

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Ali
30/11/2020
QATAR
alchemy V3

It's worth that money i paid. I think the footpockets are not as high quality as the blades.

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Jason
30/11/2020
UNITED STATES
alchemy S-30

Great fins, almost feels like I'm not wearing them. Does the job very well. Two things to note. The pockets weren't glued to the blades very well. I have to glue the rails again. The pockets are also a tad loose.

Verified Buyer
Tatsumi
30/05/2023
JAPAN
Freediving Neck Weight Heavy

There is a little hardness, but it looks beautiful! My husband and I love it in different colors. I often shoot videos underwater, it's very stylish.

Verified Buyer
Ariel Manuel Quintana
25/11/2020
SPAIN
alchemy S-30

It's a really good quality fins but the soft its little bit too soft for me. The rest it's real good product. Look really attractive and elegant. Good material and comfortable.

Verified Buyer
Sava
27/11/2020
UNITED STATES
alchemy V3-30 Plus

Outstanding performance and comfort in the water. I also love the simple and clean design. 10/10 for Alchemy blades!

Verified Buyer
Carmina Lanceta
31/05/2023
PHILIPPINES
Freediving Neck Weight Heavy

I love the product, it fits perfectly and is good for line and pool training. Will definitely recommend this to others.

Verified Buyer
Dylan. H
27/11/2020
TAIWAN
alchemy V3-30

Good product.

Verified Buyer
Kan0618kan
30/05/2023
JAPAN
Freediving Neck Weight

The logo was removed from the first neck weight produced, but this one has been improved! But I like the previous design.

Verified Buyer