Today’s interview is with Bert Keulder – the Old Man Blue, as you may know him. He’s done everything you can think of in the water, including being tossed into the air by a Great White shark! A well traveled, highly experienced spearo that is deeply in love with the ocean, he has done it all and has an absolute wealth of knowledge from his years growing up near Cape Town, South Africa and living, working and spearfishing all around the world throughout his life. We chat about his early childhood days being dragged around the kelp forests in the Atlantic on an inflated car tube, his days in the military playing underwater hockey to when he worked as a diamond miner along the West Coast of Africa, to living and diving in Fiji with commercial fishermen until finally settling down in WA where he lives and dives today. He is an excellent resource and spearos of any experience level can learn a lot from him. He also makes exceptionally high quality dive gear that is designed to work well and not stop working for a long, long time. If he can give you one piece of advice, ENJOY your diving, be relaxed, take your time and really take in the experience. Let us know what you think of today’s episode and be sure to check out Old Man Blue’s store.
20:40 Childhood diving and getting dragged around the kelp forests
22:52 Hunting Red Steenbras
24:10 My Octopus Teacher
25:52 Eric J Anderson episode
26:38 Diving alone
28:26 Younger divers vs the older generation
29:42 Stages of progression in your spearfishing
30:37 Diving today vs back in the day
33:07 Equipment
36:21 The evolution of spearfishing equipment
37:00 Emphasis on tools vs skills
38:14 The “scarcity mindset”
40:18 Bert’s unsinkable dive boat – The Hallubaloo
43:10 Becoming a boat captain
45:04 Diving the inshore reefs
45:16 Best advice to prospective boat buyers
45:58 The Hallubaloo
The Hallubaloo
46:46 Sage advice
47:00 Tell us about your boat
48:23 Rules on the boat
49:33 Sustainability and sharing spots
50:15 Don’t be a cowboy
53:16 Sharing fish on the boat
54:26 Spearfishing as a team sport
56:11 A quick story with some more sage advice – the ocean will give you gifts
57:08 Bert’s days in the military
58:44 Seal/Duiker Island in Houtbay
Garth and Bert in Houtbay, Cape Town
Duiker Island near Houtbay – Image from drumbeatcharters.co.za
60:46 Diamond diving
64:06 Can I go dive for my own diamonds?
An old diamond diving setup
65:42 Travelling
Bert diving with commercial divers in Fiji
69:39 The logo and Old Man Blue ethos
75:20 Hunting fish in WA
79:44 How do you slow yourself down?
82:38 Getting stuck and dealing with panic
84:43 Funny stories
89:39 Spearo Q&A: Single best piece of advice you’ve received Who is the most influential spearo for you? Scenario What is the spearfishing experience in one sentence?
92:35 Final advice
93:50 Bert’s experience with sharks and getting tossed into the air by a Great White shark
100:10 Shrek’s closing words
Cape Point Lighthouse in Cape Town where Bert was tossed into the air by a Great White shark – Photo By Diego Delso
I recorded this interview live on a recent Patron Funded trip to South Australia. I stopped off on the way back to Melbourne in Portland, Victoria and got to chat to Aaron overlooking some of his pristine diving/lobster chasing grounds. This interview has heaps of great intel for people wanting to chase Southern Rock Lobster, Southern Bluefin Tuna or even just start spearing in the Victoria/South Australia area. Listen in to Aaron Edmonds share his story and stoke right here!
Important Times
04:00 Welcome to Aaron Edmonds – live in Portland, Victoria. Getting started spearfishing and a bit about his commercial diving experience.
08:45 Early lessons learned spearfishing
10:00 Chasing Lobster or Crayfish
21:30 Scary Moment | Cramping Out in a Cave
29:25 Funny Moments with Jamie
32:00 Underwater Photography | Catching the Bug
40:00 Southern Bluefin Tuna | The Learning Curve!
52:50 Taking out juniors and sharing the stoke
58:40 Spearo Q&A
Who has been the most influential person in your spearfishing journey?
What are the best spearfishing resources for new spearos?
What is your dream spearfishing destination and fish?
Could you describe what the spearfishing experience means to you in one sentence
Spearfishing can be seen as a costly sport to get started in and with the huge range of gear for sale these days, it can so easily end up costing a lot more than it needs to. Being a beginner and trying to buy your first pieces of gear can be an intimidating and tricky thing to get right. What do I need to buy new? What can I get away with buying 2nd hand? How do I look after this gear I have invested in? Join Shrek, Trevor Ketchion and Captain Dan Walsh as they discuss being a tightarse spearo and give a run down and discussion on all the basic equipment that a new spearo would need as well as cost cutting and DIY tips, maintenance, what to look for when buying 2nd hand and ultimately where you can cut corners and not cut yourself short. Spearos pride themselves on being able to adapt and be efficient, with our gear it’s no different. Are you a tightarse spearo? Have a listen and let us know what you think about these tips and tricks and comment your DIY tricks! Enjoy the episode!
Important Times
00:16 Introduction
03:28 Welcome to Trevor and Lincoln Smith message
05:00 Ashley Clark Email
06:56 Andrew Boulton Email
07:24 Spearfishing and Money Philosophy
08:08 Ben Vittino Voice Message
Basic Gear Purchasing
13:35 Fins
21:58 Spearguns
30:19 Booties
32:38 Gloves
34:13 Masks
37:46 Snorkels
42:07 Weights
44:47 Rubbish Spearos
45:50 Weight Belts
48:14 Floats and Riglines
58:49 Dive Knives
01:02:05 Dive Bags
Other Stuff
01:06:11 Boats
01:12:00 Electronics
01:15:40 DIY Gear Maintenance
01:24:55 Bargain Bins, Discounted Items and Buying 2nd Hand
01:29:24 Getting Sponsored
01:30:46 Wetsuits
01:33:35 Tips from Captain Dan Walsh
01:35:42 Final Thoughts
The Bottom Scratcher’s diver ladders – www.swimdean.com
Trevor runs a Facebook group called Rubbish Spearos, a funny name but it is a great initiative and fun way to clean up your local waterways. People post and compare “Deathpiles” of dozens of sinkers, lures, bits of plastic and even a few treasures found along the way! Go check it out! –> Rubbish Spearos
This episode is all about getting the word out about the all new Australian Spearfishing Course (in association with AUF) that will reach the next generation of spearos. We discuss how Adam Stern, Tom Sandstrom and the AUF are getting qualified crew into clubs to help teach groms and new spearos coming up about basic safety and physiology. Tommy and Adam “We will be creating a freediving for Spearfishing course that we want to role out throughout the country over the next 12-18 months, which we hope to have available for free to auf club members or at a super cheap price.” Listen in as the boys drop some knowledge bombs while we learn about this cool new initiative!
Australian Spearfishing Courses | Important Times
07:00 @tommy_dozz introduction and background 09:30 The motivation behind doing the Freediving Instructor Course 15:00 Freediving courses for spearos? 22:00 Being a good spearfishing buddy 25:00 Pool training? Is it relevant for spearfishing? 35:00 Teaching people to spearfish 40:00 How Tommy started out in the water and introduction to spearfishing 42:00 Coffs Harbour Spearfishing Conditions and Fishery 44:20 Rotating your spearfishing through different spots 48:00 Adam Stern Drops In Late! 58:00 Three Active Components to Spearfishing | Equipment, Hunting and Freediving 61:00 Spearfishing Dolphin Fish aka MahiMahi 64:00 What happens in a Spearfishing Instructors Course?
What is in this spearfishing course?
What about the experience of the course? Did you have some characters in there?
I have attached the poster and some basic information on the trial that ill be conducting.
I’m conducting a clinical trial for my thesis to further advance the knowledge basis of breathing techniques that may improve breath hold performance in divers.
I’m recruiting participants for my upcoming online land-based study of which you can be involved by participating to better inform us how to train according to the best available evidence.
Please contact me by email (in the photo) if you would be interested in participating in this study and I can send you more information.
This interview with Addrianna Reitenbach comes from a recommendation from Eric Anderson.
“Hey Shrek! Wanted to connect you with Addrianna who is spearheading the up-and-coming dive community SoCal Dive Babes (IG: @socaldivebabes). This group is all about building a solid dive community and providing mentorship to women divers who want to get into spearfishing. We’ve been chatting a bit on spearing and watching their trips to Baja and local waters, fundraisers, beach events, underwater pumpkin target shooting, hanging out with Julie Riffe…I thought it would make a great interview. Always stoked to hear more stories in the spearing community and this sounds like a good one. You know I’m a fan of the Pcast, so keep it coming brotha!” – Eric Anderson
Some of the highlights are; ‘trash fish’ chat, Southern California species and conditions, women in spearfishing, body language for hunting and more! Listen and subscribe!
Addrianna Reitenbach SoCal Dive Babes with Yellowtail
I have attached the poster and some basic information on the trial that ill be conducting.
I’m conducting a clinical trial for my thesis to further advance the knowledge basis of breathing techniques that may improve breath hold performance in divers.
I’m recruiting participants for my upcoming online land-based study of which you can be involved by participating to better inform us how to train according to the best available evidence.
Please contact me by email (in the photo) if you would be interested in participating in this study and I can send you more information.
Justin Townsend joins me and shares 3 dynamite seafood recipes that are game changers! Justin hosts the Wild Fish and Game Podcast which is a food centric podcast where they talk about all aspects of hunting, fishing, and cooking of wild foods.Justin has been living in Key West, FL for the last 4 years and has taken up spearfishing in the last year. Justin made his way on spearfishing boats by applying his professionally trained fish chef skills, always helping out and bringing the stoke. Justin has been a hunter and angler since he was a child and has always enjoyed the outdoors. He was raised in Southeastern Oklahoma where hunting and fishing was used as a way to supplement home-grown and store-bought food so his values are very in-line what many of us Noobers hold dear.
Have a listen to this episode and try out one of the recipes he lays out!
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
42:00 Coffs Harbour Spearfishing Conditions and Fishery 44:20 Rotating your spearfishing through different spots 48:00 Adam Stern Drops In Late! 58:00 Three Active Components to Spearfishing | Equipment, Hunting and Freediving 61:00 Spearfishing Dolphin Fish aka MahiMahi 64:00 What happens in a Spearfishing Instructors Course?
