About the Challenge

The Victorian Spearfishing Challenge is a new format, “selective” spearfishing competition, that was initiated in Summer/Autumn of 2001/2002 and has so far attracted a fair amount of interest and some amazing results. The aim of the competition is to promote conservative and selective Freediving and Spearfishing to the wider diving/fishing community in Victoria.

The basic idea is for each diver to attempt to capture ten separate species over a six month period with points awarded based on weight (see rules). These ten species are all challenging fish to catch and are good eating. Species include King George Whiting, Snook, Crayfish, Trevally, Kingfish, Squid, Salmon, Flathead, Sea Sweep and Snapper.
Each competitor can only present two of each species over the six month period, so it is a game of strategy. The weigh-in of the fresh catch can be done at several locations around the state or frozen specimens can be weighed at the Southern Freedivers Club meetings. You must be a current financial member of the Southern Freedivers Club to be eligible. Obviously all state Fisheries regulations need to be adhered to and only fish taken whilst freediving are allowed.

The winner of the Victorian Spearfishing Challenge is awarded the coveted Robert Torelli Perpetual Cup, and each entry gives the diver a chance in the draw for a major prize. Recent major prizes include wetsuits, dive trips and spearguns. Prizes are also awarded for the heaviest fish in each category.