CA "PICASSO OPEN 2001"

Freedive Spearfishing Tournament

Over $7,000 in Prizes!

Ocean Cove, California

Saturday, September 15, 2001 @ 9h00 am

Why a Species Meet?

Spear fishing is the only way to practice "Release before you Catch" rather than "Catch and Release" as is practice by all other forms of fishing. A spear fisher is given the opportunity to select an individual fish and let the rest swim by, rather than stressing and endangering several fish until a suitable one is caught. A Species Meet was created to determine the most proficient FreeDive Spear Fisher by establishing rules in which diversity, rather than total aggregate weight, of a catch will prove who the best really is

How to participate?

In order to participate, you must email us at CAOpen2001@picassoamerica.com or call Steve Kastner of Stan's Dive Shop @ tel:(408) 998-0767

How to get there?

Ocean Cove is situated in Sonoma County, North of San Francisco. For directions on how to get there and to see the map, click here

"Saturday: September 15, 2001"

Schedule of Events:

7:30-9:00am: Sign-in
Competitor sign-in at Ocean Cove parking lot. This is a mandatory requirement for all competitors. Competitors will sign a liability disclaimer and sign for an official copy of the Tournament Rules and Regulations.

9:00am: Tournament Starts
Competitors must stay behind the striped rocks marking Ocean Cove reserve until the sound of the starting horn.

3:00pm: Tournament Ends
Competitors must be back within the striped rocks of Ocean Cove. The weigh-in will start immediately and will be followed by the award presentations and participation raffle.

Rules:

1- Spear fish by means of FREEDIVING only! No tanks / re-breathers!

2- All divers must enter and leave via Ocean Cove

3- All modes of transportation except motor-powered boats are allowed for this event. Kayaks are preferred

4- Only spear guns loaded by the divers own strength are permitted.

5- The eligible species and minimum size limits are specified on this brochure.

6- No chumming.

7- GPS use is OK.

8- Competitors must abide by all California Fish and Game rules.

9- Competitors are responsible for taking home their own catch.

10- Infractions of the above rules, posted Regulations, or unsportsmen like conduct will result in disqualification.

Scoring and Prizes:
Each freediver will be allowed to weigh in one fish per specie that meets the minimum tournament size requirements listed below. You will receive 10 points per specie plus 1 point per pound up to 20 pounds. Maximum score of 30 points per specie. Divers may weigh in a maximum of 7 fish per diver. Prizes will be given out for the biggest lingcod, cabezon, vermilion and three largest abalone by size.
In addition, Roger Yazbeck will identify the most unusual catch speared during the competition. The most unusual catch must meet minimum Fish and Game size requirements. Prizes will also be awarded for the top aggregate scores as follows: top 3 men, top woman, and top junior (18 or younger). No diver will be allowed to win more than 2 prizes.
The Weighmaster has the option to disqualify a fish he deems unsuitable for any reason. Finally, every competitor that doesn't win one of the aforementioned categories is eligible for the participation raffle where some of the best prizes of the event will be given out such as carbon fins and carbon spearguns!

Registration and Refund Policy:
Competitors may register to compete until 9am on September 15, 2001. Competitors whom registration form and payment are received by September 8, 2001, will pay a lesser entry fee ($ 40.00). After that date, the subscription fee will be $ 50.00. In the event of inclimate weather on Tournament day, the meet will be postponed to the following day: Sunday: September 16, 2001.
Schedule of Events would be the same. If this date is unsuitable as well, Competitors will receive a full refund.

Competitors less than 18 years of age must have their parent or guardian co-sign their disclaimer form.

Diving Conditions:
Current: 0-1 knots
Depth: 5-60 feet, 5-10 feet normal
Surf: Dangerous at times
Temperature: 50-56 degrees Fahrenheit
Visibility: 2-30 feet, 5-10 feet normal

Regulations:
Competitors may only weigh in:

“ONE FISH FROM EACH SPECIE”
to count toward Tournament score!

Fish must meet or exceed Tournament measurement to count toward total tournament score.

*Sharks, Skates, and Rays are NOT permitted.