Tag: USFA

Fred Nann – some SSD spear fishing history

Taken in 1962 at Rottnest Island WA. Fred Nann is wearing his first wetsuit made by Torpedo and a brandishing a homemade gun by Bernie Harbour. The gun was used for over 15 years. Thanks to Fred’s daughter Vicki Nann for the photo

Fred was the original founding member for the Dolphins it’s first president and first Life member. He later moved to WA in his late 20’s, where he did a record freedive at the time recorded at 110ft, he was also charged with having a powerhead over there in the early 60’s.
When you are having a quite beer or coffee have a read of it, 11 pages of good times. Amazing how had core these boys all were in the 50’s and early 60’s. We got nothin’ on them really, we are spoilt.

Born in Sydney at St. George Hospital Kogarah on the 12/9/1935, one of four children of Frederick Robert and Dorothy La Vere Nann. Resided at Walter Street and then Darley Street Sans Souci until 1959.

Special thanks, picture provided by Fred’s daughter Vicki Nann.

Continue reading Fred Nann – some SSD spear fishing history

USFA Survey on observations in the ocean relating to climate change

USFALate last year, USFA sent an email with a link to a USFA members’ survey that they’re doing in collaboration with the CSIRO. This survey is your opportunity to have a say about changes you’ve observed in the ocean, the likely impacts of climate change on how, where and what you spear, and how our historical competition records can or should be shared with scientists and used in fisheries management.

For those of you who have already completed the survey – thanks!

If you haven’t already completed the survey, please take a few minutes to click on the link below and complete it before Wednesday February 13. It’s important that as many of us as possible complete this survey to ensure that our voice is heard.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/USFAsurvey

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Information Session: Collaborative research project between USFA and CSIRO

When: Thursday 15 November
Arrive: 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start
Duration: Approx 1 hour including questions
Where: ASHFIELD WESTS LEAGUES CLUB, 115 Liverpool Rd, Ashfield, NSW Sydney Australia (Proceed to level one)
What else: Bring a dive buddy
You will hear:

  • What has really changed since the 60’s?
  • Will these changes affect your future fishing opportunities?
  • Specifically how USFA (spearo) data has contributed to this project.

Continue reading Information Session: Collaborative research project between USFA and CSIRO

Samba and Shallow Water Blackouts

Erez Beatus – Free diving coach and former world record holder explaining the risk of Samba & (Shallow Water) Blackout while free diving. Thanks to NSUC & USFA

Samba is a loss of motor control. It is a partial loss of physical or mental integrity and generally occurs up to 15 seconds after reaching the surface, normally during your first breath after a dive. It happens due to not having enough oxygen in your brain.

A Blackout in freediving is often called Shallow Water Blackout (SWB) as it most often occurs while ascending the last few metres of water. It happens due to lack of oxygen due to rapid changes in pressure.

Very briefly, it is thought that Hyperventilation is the leading cause of blackout as it lowers the amount of CO2 in your body which lessens the urge to breathe. The Shallow Water Blackout Wiki explains this all in much more detail: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shallow_water_blackout