by Brandon Swanepoel | Jan 18, 2023 | Noob Spearo Podcast
Interview with Wally Galli
Today’s interview is with Wally Galli! An ex-South African, owner of GT Diving and Marine living in Port Hedland, he tells us the stories about meeting future legends like Rob Allen, some memorable dive trips he done over the years like St. Lucia and a bit on his part of helping Robbie Peck when he got attacked by that Bull Shark. We also hear about some of the history of the NW Spearfishing Club, how he helps get new spearos started, spearfishing competitions and making diving and spearing his business. Wally is unable to hide the passion in his voice when he speaks about diving and spearing, if you’re ever in the area make sure you pay him and his shop a visit!
Important times:
- 00:13 Intro
- 06:35 Welcome Wally Galli! Where did you grow up?
- 08:10 St. Lucia spearfishing
- 09:50 Do you miss South Africa? Meeting Rob Allen
- 11:10 Rammed by a Great White
- 14:25 Tell us about your shop: GT Diving!
- 15:35 Helping Robbie Peck after he got attacked by a shark
- 18:15 The shark attack seems to have made business quiet
- 20:35 The coldest Spring into Summer in Port Hedland
- 22:30 Port Hedland spearfishing and the NW Spearfishing Club + competitions
- 25:55 I am a complete noob and I walk into your shop: what do you do to get me started?
- 28:00 There’s always a spot on my boat, just bring your dive gear and we split the fuel between everyone
- 33:30 Taking on and teaching Noob Spearos
- 35:50 Everyone needs to know how to operate the boat
- 39:00 Carbon vs plastic fins
- 41:05 Support your local dive shop!
- 43:00 Where can people find GT Diving?
- 47:10 Thank you for taking time to be on the show!
- 51:30 Outro
Important Links
Noob Spearo Partners and Discount Codes
by Brandon Swanepoel | Jan 11, 2023 | Noob Spearo Podcast
Interview with Robbie Peck
Today’s interview is with Robbie Peck, survivor of a 3m Bull Shark attack off Port Hedland! On a day with a few unusual things lining up, Robbie was retrieving a fish off the bottom when he got smashed by a 3m Bull Shark! What followed was a harrowing story with some excellent dive buddies who undoubtedly saved Robbie’s arm and life! We chat in detail about the attack, the swim back up to the surface, the boat ride back to port and doing it all with his 4 year old son there with him! Robbie’s response and attitude after this is undoubtedly going to help save someone else’s life somewhere down the road. We also chat about diving around Port Hedland and even talk about some recipes!
Here’s a story that we can all take something out of! Where’s your first aid kit?
Important times:
- 00:13 Intro
- 08:55 Welcome Robbie Peck, survivor of a 3m Bull Shark attack!
- 09:30 Tell us about Port Hedland
- 12:00 So you’re a Kiwi? When did you move?
- 13:20 What was the experience of being attacked like?
- 18:10 Unusually aggressive behaviour by the shark
- 21:00 What did you do in response? Immediate first aid.
- 23:05 Literally the one day that you took the tourniquet off the boat!
- 25:00 The trip back to land
- 26:45 Surviving for my family and being in this situation with my 4 year old son
- 30:15 What happened when you got back to the boat ramp?
- 37:55 Why do shark attacks get so much media attention?
- 40:40 4 things that were different on the day
- 44:00 Sharks learn fishing and spearo behaviour
- 45:05 What did the shark do after it bit you?
- 47:20 Bite Club and chatting with fellow survivor Rick Bettua
- 49:30 “I knew the risks going into their domain” – open this can of worms!
- 53:30 Artificial reefs and the benefits they bring
- 59:00 Will you go back to spearfishing?
- 01:03:40 Not having a tourniquet actually saved my arm
- 01:08:20 Which spearfishing club are you a part of? Northwest Spearfishing Club and the WA Undersea Club
- 01:09:45 @BertGoesBang and filming the attack
- 01:12:20 You love your hunting, how do you manage that and family life?
- 01:15:40 Fried swim bladder becomes like pork crackling
- 01:19:15 What structure are you diving on?
- 01:20:35 What struggles did you have in your diving and how did you overcome them?
- 01:23:20 Shark Shield or shark detterents?
- 01:29:55 Spearo Q&A
- 01:37:20 How to deal with the media after a major incident like this
- 01:39:45 Outro
Important Links
Noob Spearo Partners and Discount Codes
by Brandon Swanepoel | Dec 21, 2022 | Noob Spearo Podcast
Interview with Adam Stern & Spearo Kids NZ
Today’s interview is with Adam Stern and Ben, Max & Don from Spearo Kids NZ! Adam Stern is back again, spontaneously laughing and giving us some awesome new info coming out of the freediving world., Spearfishing’s effect on personality, physiology, your mental and emotional state and even your bloodwork can be profound! Next up we have a catch up with Ben, Max and Don: The SpearoKids NZ crew! We chat about some of there highlights since last speaking to them, new PB fish and the latest from their competition careers!
The last episode for 2022, it’s been a massive year! Here’s looking to an even bigger one next year! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year spearos!
Grab a hardcover copy of 99 Spearo Recipes
Important times:
- 00:13 Intro
- 02:40 Welcome back Adam Stern!
- 04:30 Deep spearfishing’s impact on personality
- 09:35 Physiological changes for spearos
- 11:30 Equalizing in an MRI machine
- 14:00 Mental and emotional effects of diving on stress and anxiety
- 17:30 What is your daily routine for staying dive fit?
- 19:50 Shallow lung squeezes and a common problem for newer spearos
- 23:30 “Freediving has nothing to do with spearfishing”
- 31:30 Is there a benefit to increasing your breath hold past your daily needs?
- 33:50 Research on bloodwork going on in the freedive world
- 39:40 O2 and CO2 training and general wellbeing
- 44:45 Equalizing tips: head first or feet first
- 48:40 Let’s chat to the NZ Spearo Kids: Max, Ben and Don! What have you been up to?
- 55:00 Competition spearfishing and spearfishing with your brother
- 01:01:00 What’s next for you boys? Youtube, competitions and new travels
- 01:11:10 Outro
Important Links
Noob Spearo Partners and Discount Codes
by Brandon Swanepoel | Dec 7, 2022 | Noob Spearo Podcast
Interview with Bert, Joel and Rory!
Today’s interview is with Bert and Joel as we round off our WA trip. More great fish but this time with a lot more sharks! We had such a good day out spearing, everyone landing great fish and Joel and Shrek checking off new and target species. They put some new Old Man Blue gear to the test, trying out their impressive new prototype weight vest! Some sad and scary stories of knots letting you down, getting taxed and hurting some innocent gear. What a great trip with Joel, Bert and Rory! Will they ever find the lube?? Have a listen to find out! Also, a massive thanks to @Deryck.Gyotaku for his amazing print of Shrek’s Baldchin Groper!
Grab a hardcover copy of 99 Spearo Recipes
Important times:
- 00:13 Intro
- 02:50 Welcome back Bert and Joel!
- 06:00 Target species and first fish!
- 11:20 Deryck Gyotaku of Shrek’s Baldchin Groper
- 14:30 Testing out Old Man Blue gear!
- 16:25 Old Man Blue weight harness
- 21:00 Shrek and his poor gear
- 23:35 Bad knots and losing spears
- 28:05 Hunting Ranking Cod in the murk
- 32:20 Joel’s first Spanish Mackerel
- 34:30 Getting taxed!
- 45:55 Boating troubles out at sea
- 50:00 Honey holes
- 55:25 Mangrove Jacks in caves
- 57:40 Sunset spearfishing for Chinamanfish!
- 01:04:15 Good eating and bad eating fish!
- 01:08:10 Processing fish for the freezer
- 01:09:10 Fisheries management and bag limits
- 01:16:15 Follow @WAUnderseaClub & @BlueWaterFreediversWA
- 01:19:15 How can I improve my spearfishing? Besides almost shooting Joel in the face…
- 01:24:20 Outro
Important Links
Noob Spearo Partners and Discount Codes
by Brandon Swanepoel | Nov 30, 2022 | Noob Spearo Podcast
Interview with Bert, Joel and Rory!
Today’s interview is with Bert, Joel and Rory! Crystal clear water and some A-grade diving is in order for today as Bert, Joel and Rory show Shrek around the picturesque WA water near Exmouth! Shooting fish and eating it an hour later, finding huge crays in familiar structure, dealing with sharks and good stories from day 2 of our WA trip!
Grab a hardcover copy of 99 Spearo Recipes
Important times:
- 00:13 Intro
- 05:05 Welcome back Bert and Joel in the middle of a wetsuit repair!
- 07:05 Welcome Rory! Tell us about Exmouth dive conditions
- 11:45 What currents are around here?
- 14:55 Planning a spearfishing trip
- 15:30 Welcome back Joel! We have a sneaky arvo dive!
- 19:15 Very fishy and very sharky…
- 21:30 Cooking and eating fish!
- 28:05 What fish did we get?
- 33:20 Local knowledge is a huge benefit
- 35:05 Our plan for tomorrow
- 38:00 Getting that first fish of the day – dealing with stress and pressure in the water
- 50:20 What are we targeting tomorrow?
- 54:45 Your best hunt for a tusky
- 56:15 Crayfish hunting with Bert and swim-through’s for Mangrove Jack!
- 01:03:50 Sharing your catch with friends
- 01:10:20 Parting words of wisdom for our trip tomorrow
- 01:13:10 How to hunt Rankin Cod
- 01:14:50 Outro
Important Links
Noob Spearo Partners and Discount Codes
by Brandon Swanepoel | Nov 23, 2022 | Noob Spearo Podcast
Interview with Bert Keulder and Joel Roberts
Today’s interview is with Bert Keulder and Joel Roberts around the fire, having a few brews and chatting about spearfishing! These are the moments where life makes sense, out on the beach around a fire with good mates and great conversation. Listen in and hear about our day and Shrek’s first experiences in the WA ocean! Beach launching boats, Estuary Cods, crayfish diving and so much in between! This is just day 1!
Important times:
- 00:13 Intro
- 04:50 Welcome to the campfire with Bert and Joel!
- 07:40 Big GT moment
- 11:05 Spearos are a type of person
- 13:15 Welcome Joel!
- 14:20 Day 1: WA conditions
- 16:30 Beach launches
- 23:30 Spearo boats
- 26:20 Bert loves putting people on fish
- 31:25 Spearfishing brings a sparkle to your eyes
- 37:00 Kite surfing when it’s windy
- 40:50 Crayfish diving!
- 45:45 Estuary Cod can be divisive!
- 49:55 We had a great day, tomorrow will hopefully be better!
- 51:35 What makes a spot worth exploring?
- 54:25 Outro
Important Links
Noob Spearo Partners and Discount Codes
