International Pacific Underwater Fishing Championships

The core members of this competition are Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia and Tahiti. After competing as guests for 3 consecutive years Hawaii became eligible to host this year’s event.

On April 23, 2008 the Women’s event was held in Kona, Hawaii, with teams from Hawaii and New Zealand competing.

The following 2 days were designated for the Men’s Competition with teams from Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Guam, Kona-Hawaii, and North Shore Oahu competing.

The competition was fierce. There were even some recognizable faces from the last World Championships in Portugal. For example, Ian Puckeridge from Australia and Frank Tsiou Fouc of Tahiti were competing.

Hawaii’s Women’s Team, consisting of Kimi Werner and Tanya Bierne, pulled off a decisive victory. However, the Hawaii Men’s teams did not fair quite as well. Australia and Tahiti enjoyed a seemingly insurmountable lead after the first day of competition, with the Kona Team in a distant third. It became apparent the visiting teams were top-caliber spearfishermen, and that Hawaii could not simply rely on the home field advantage.

The next day would require double the effort and a change of strategy by the Hawaii teams. However, in the end, Australia and Tahiti were able to hold on to their lead despite a strong first place finish by the North Shore Spearfishers Team on Day 2. Although, the Oahu team, consisting of Mark Healy, Marnie Balubar, Kapono Zukevich and Dave Wassel, were able to jump up to third place overall. This was quite an accomplishment considering the ground they needed to make up and the last minute illness of Dave Wassel. Event coordinators were scrambling until the final moments prior to the start of the tournament to find a replacement. Luckily Kona Diver Bruce Ayau was able to save the day.

Congratulations to all the participants!

Note: Next years event will be held in Australia.

RESULTS

Men
1 Australia  (day one 100  + day two 88.98)-------------- Total 188.98

2 Tahiti  (day one 95.11 + day two 78.2)-------------------- Total 173.31
3 North Shore Oahu  (day one 57.23 + day two 100)--- Total 157.23
4 New Zealand (day one 61.01 + day two 89.13)--------- Total 150.14
5 Kona Hawaii (day one 69.44 + day two 68.85)-------- Total 138.29
6 Guam (day one 46.83 + day two 52.6)--------------------- Total 99.43

Women
1  Hawaii------------ Total 100
2  New Zealand--- Total 41.7

PARTICIPANTS

Women  Hawaii> Kimi Werner, Tanya Beirne New Zealand Jessica Whiddett, Shirl Dryden
 

Men  Guam> James Borja, Ronald Laguana, Gerald Cuyler Perry, Jamie Sternadel, Captain: James Borja Kona> Shay Motonaga, Mike Hatcher, Calvin Lai, Hanalei Adric, Captain: Calvin

Lai Sr. Oahu> Mark Healy, Kapono Zukevich, Marnie Balubar, Dave Wassel, replacement Bruce Ayau, Captain:

Al Lagunte Tahiti> Joel Drollet, Dell Lamartniere, Cyril Vignole, Edgar Tahahe, reserve Frank Tsiou Fouc, Captain: Romuald Montagnon Australia> Ian Puckeridge, Paul Roso, Drew Fenney, Adam Smith, reserve- Ryan Schulter, Captain: Alastair MacNeil New Zealand> Dwane Herbert, Peter Herbert, Ian Warnock, Colin Smith, reserve Jeff

Cookson, Captain Ed Aaron