Sumora Dive Tools - Spearfishing Adventures

Food

2011-03-05T17:56:00.000-08:00

Lately I've been trying to learn the proper techniques of cooking various types of fish.

Here are some of the seafood dishes that have been cooking.

Swordfish w/ Bottarga

Sea Urchin...raw. Unreal freshness.

Sculpin and Sandbass catches with my brother and some friends.

Halibut with roasted cherry tomatoes

Yellowtail with pomegranate seeds, micro greens and sea-urchin sauce

PV this morning

2010-10-11T17:12:00.000-07:00

Palos Verdes, CA at sunrise

Sheepshead for dinner

SPIERRE Fins featured in Sports Illustrated July 2010

2010-07-08T17:16:00.000-07:00

Sale July 8-20 ACCESSORIES

2010-07-07T15:53:00.000-07:00

July 8-20th Sale - Exciting deals from Watches to Weightbelts to Flashers and Reels

AERIS F-10 Freedive Watch List Price 419.95
Sale price: SAVE $85 $334.95

FREEDIVE Weightbelt List Price $45
Sale Price: SAVE $15 $30

ROB ALLEN Kamikaze Flasher List Price: $87
Sale Price: SAVE $20 $67

Rob ALLEN Spinner Flasher List Price $87
Sale Price: SAVE $20 $67

1Meter Speargun Bungee expandable to 5Meters List Price: $22
Sale Price: SAVE $7 $15

ROB ALLEN Reel List Price $74
Sale Price: SAVE $16 $58

Steve Morris of Texas USA bags a huge 112 pound amberjack with Rabitech Stealth.

Sumora. Dive Anywhere!

2010-05-11T15:11:00.000-07:00

It has certainly been a while and a lot has happened since the last blog update. Now that we have a workable camera housing we will try to post more often.:)

I met H0tTuna (Michael Takach) whom I picked up from Hermosa Beach on friday afternoon and we went to head out on Richard Balta's 26' Catamaran(ultimate dive boat for our coast). He was ready for some cold water/slim fish diving! Australia has all our fish, + all the fish in Hawaii, + a lot of fish in Mexico and indo and bali and yeah...we were definitely green with envy! http://www.youtube.com/user/H0tTuna

He has a cool youtube channel and a video coming out, which we will be sure to stock.

Here are some pictures from the weekend...remember. DIVE ANYWHERE!!!

Hitting the spot right at dusk

There's ALWAYS time for one last dive.

Wake up. Anywhere.

Half in and out

A Nutso Mexico Trip

2009-11-13T13:40:00.000-08:00

For now, we will have to let the pictures do the talking.

Reflections, revelations, and trip memories will be saved for the Hawaii Skin Diver Magazine Article.

Enjoy! And remember... Dive Anywhere!

To a remote island in Mexico via Private Plane. Bring Water. Theres no Stewardess.

In the Cabin

Good View. Landing Strip.

Me, Austin Derry, Richard Balta, and the Panguero giving the THUMBS UP

4x World Record Holder Ritchie with a 48# Broomtail Grouper

Austin with a monster 83# Grouper

The Crew with a fantastic catch.

Never happier!

Yellowtail...Hamachi sushi on our minds.

FOOOOOOD. (Yellowtail Sashimi)

Fresh off the Boat.. :D

The beauty of Mexico. Will return soon. But can never be soon enough.

Roach Control problem

2009-11-01T10:31:00.000-08:00

Limit of Lobsters, Southern California 10/31/2009

BIG FISH REPORTING IN

2009-09-11T03:19:00.000-07:00

This big fish story is cut into three parts.

These insane guys were diving in the largest Great White Shark population at Guadalupe Island, Mexico for National Geographic...

Brandon Wahlers (Torrance, CA) uncaged taking shots of a 15 foot Great White

How can you not love this cute face??

My buddy Brandon Wahlers(right) shoots pending World Record Pacific Yellowtail with world surfing prodigy and deep diver Mark Healey (left) and Yellowfin Tuna(Ahi).

The Yellowtail weighed 87 POUNDS..a pending World Record. Well deserved!!!

On the other side of the world in Norway, Anders Karlsson attempting to use Sumora dive gear to land massive 150-300 pound Halibut using Sumora Floats and Floatlines along with single flopper shafts.

"I got back from the halibut grounds on Sunday evening, and have been having trouble thinking about anything else since.. ;)

I did see some large fish, up to around the 150lbs mark, lying quietly on the bottom in only 4 meters of water! That was an experience worth the trip! However, luck wasn’t with me this time, as I took shots at two of the larger fish I saw, and hit them well, but the spear didn’t stick. One fish I shot in the gill lid, and the spear didn’t go all the way in (they may be tougher than I thought, the fish was around 100lbs I think) and another just didn’t stick because the barb didn’t extend the way it should behind the fish, or the spear hit something hard underneath it (that fish was around 70-80lbs). Both of those were in only 5-6 meters of water. The biggest which I mentioned at the start was more skiddish and took off before I could get a good shot… "

For me, a Mexico trip is in order shortly :)

Followed by a trip to the Gulf:)

But, there may be a different destination before then... Keep you posted!

News with Sumora - New Retail Partner and SPIERRE Fins divers

2009-08-28T06:46:00.001-07:00

Sumora has a new retail partner in Irvine, California

Freediving Unlimited/H2o Photo Pros http://www.h2ophotopros.com

17985 Sky Park Circle Suite B Irvine, CA 92614

Sumora is proud to team with 4x Spearfishing World Record Holder Richard Balta!!

anddd...big wave rider and deeeeep diver Mark Healey

See his unbelievable GO VIDEO HERE:

http://www.grindtv.com/video/surf/mark_healey_go_video/#38859

and Mark Healey spearfishing with Tiger Sharks:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBz-kMEDfvY

SPIERRE PURE CARBONS are AWESOME!

2009-08-23T23:58:00.000-07:00

Today I used the SPIERRE Pure Carbon blades Medium Hard stiffness extensively at Catalina Island, roughly ~ 25 miles offshore Southern California.

All my dives were deeper and taking shorter times ascending and descending than previously, using a lot less effort. Some blades feel like you are moving (such as glass) but also feel like you really have to kick(plastic), or at least kick more than CF.

I attribute this extra work necessary because of the different advantageous properties that Carbon Fiber has. It is able to return to original position and snap back, and is lighter. In turn you are more maneuverable , have less weight on your legs and use less effort to achieve more results.

The Medium Hards Spierre PURE Carbons are constructed to maximize the effects of Carbon Fiber to maximize snap back. I love the length (80 x 22cm width) which is a 31.5" blade not including the footpocket. It's on the longer side and you can see a picture here.

I got a good run at them today with all dives in the 15-25 meter range.(45-78 feet). These blades feel as if you are not really having to work for your kicks but mannnn you are hauling in them.

The power on them is incredible. I was a big fan of C4 and Specialfins Hybrid Professionals(which is a blend of CF and Glass, majority CF), then Fiberglass SPIERREs, but for off the boat diving I will be using the SPIERRE Pure Carbons exclusively. For one, they are lighter than most glass fins out there. The power is on demand and the stiffness was just right for surface swimming.

I'm 5'10" 160.

After swimming around lots of surface swimming, and lots of dives in the medium depth range, I do not feel that my legs are shaky nor cramped.

The power is noticeable. I feel 30-40% more power with these Pure Carbons. With such ease getting back up to the surface, I was able to spend longer bottom times and expend less energy ascending than I had previously with any other fin.

I no longer think it's fair to compare CF to Fiberglass. For one, they are in general at different price points. Like comparing a Mercedes SL previously (around 120,000-140,000 range) to a Ferrari ~ 180k+
Good glass fins are in the 230-350 range.

The performance is much different too. To read my previous review of Fiberglass Fins, read here

CF is 350-550.

SPIERRE Pure Carbons come in at $455.
Footpockets can be had for
$80/pair.

Tin Man's camera mount fit on the railgun (my case Rabitech barrel) very well. It's easy to use and sturdy and steady. Here are a few shots with his camera mount (that my friend loaned me) and my SD550 Canon...The quality was there just like his weights (smooth and clean and perfect).

We will get a review by deep diver Mark Healey and top diver Ritchie Balta shortly.

2 year warranty. Great investment for deeper diving and my opinion safer diving with less effort!

Currently being used by
5x National Champion Jaco Blignaut
12x National Champion Tommy Botha
2x World Freediving Record Holder Trevor Hutton
Deepest fish shot Freediving (60Meters Trevor Hutton)
#1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10 ranked divers in South Africa

If you are looking at high end fins, take a look at the testimonials, and you may email me

to order fins: guns@sumora.com
http://www.spierre.com/testimonials.html

to order TinMan's Camera Mount: derocher@eatel.net

SPIERRE vs EDGE Comparison - battle of the Titans

2009-08-10T16:38:00.000-07:00

With so many blades on the market, I wanted to do a comparison between our SPIERRE Fiberglass Blades from South Africa and another top Fiberglass blade on the market - EDGE.

Up to battle: Edge #2 versus SPIERRE Medium

In this review I will try to outline the FOUR Major points when purchasing a pair of blades or anything for that matter:

Cosmetics, Warranty, Performance, and Price in addition to sundries like color options and User backing.

Cosmetics

At first glance, the SPIERRE Blade is about 2x as thick for the fiberglass compared to the EDGE.

It is also slightly wider and ~1cm longer. I think this makes for a more durable blade to be thicker. It is also a bit heavier due to the thicker fiberglass. One of these days I would like to weigh the two side by side.

The edge have more of a channel railing on the outer right and outer left tips of the blade designed to flow water. The Spierres have a shorter railing.

Warranty

Spierres hold double the warranty at 2 years versus 1 year(Edge)

Performance

Though a restaurant can be judged by service, (which adds to the overall dining experience), usually the real test is the quality to price ratio of the food.

So performance was the main category of testing.

Edge #2 was a very nice fin to 35-45ft with nice surface swimming though the angle on the blade was not as pronounced as the SPIERREs. I found it difficult to get thrust and torque from deeper depths. Surface swimming the angle on the SPIERRE gave it the edge (no pun intended) and I believe the steeper angle assists here. The edge were easier to kick at shallower depths and it seemed was slightly less stiff. However getting up from 50ft took more effort and deeper dives did not feel like I was being propelled and rather hurt my ankles the deeper/harder I had to kick.

The SPIERRE Blade had a ton of thrust coming from 70 feet and though yesterday I didn't get to go deeper, I will next time with a spotter. You really feel like you're hauling through the water.

PRICE

Blade pricing for non-camouflage SPIERRES are less expensive than Edge though pricing exemplifies quite similar price points - they're both a high end blade. Our SPIERRE Non Camos run $335 complete set (Picasso Footpockets), or Camouflage $375. Edge run $360 complete.

COLOR OPTIONS

Spierre Camouflage blades are the nicest camouflage patterns on the market today.

USERS

Both EDGE Blades and SPIERRE Have a strong User backing. Dennis Haussler (US National Champion) uses EDGE

SPIERRE Blades have an incredible following with the number 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, and 10 ranked divers in South Africa using them, alongside with 5x National Champion Jaco Blignaut, 12x national Champion Tommy Botha, and 2x World Freediving Record Holder Trevor Hutton. Trevor recently shot a fish at 60Meters for a new record - deepest fish shot freediving.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Though both blades have impressive characteristics, followings and performance abilities, I liked the SPIERRE Fiberglass and the camouflage patterns are truly impressive.

To order a set or two or for more information, contact ERIK @SUMORA.COM 949.310.3393 (PST)

Spierre Camouflage Blades

UP NEXT... Also coming should have a more comprehensive review between the EDGE, SPIERRE Fiberglass and SPIERRE Carbons. I'd also like to take the SPIERRE Monofins for a test run!

We will have reviews by top US Divers on our SPIERRE Pure Carbon line coming soon: Richard Balta and Mark Healey.

251 Pound Yellowfin Tuna

2009-08-04T12:18:00.000-07:00

SPIERRE Fiberglass REEF Camouflage Fins,

known for their torque and power, were worn

to capture this beautiful 251 pound Yellowfin Tuna.

Congratulations Colin Chester!

To order your set, email: guns@sumora.com or erik@sumora.com

Call: 1 949 310 3393 (Pacific Standard Time...we're in California!)

MORE WORLD RECORDS with Sumora gear!

2009-07-09T14:08:00.001-07:00

June 25, 2009

New World Record - that's three within a year!

Tai Menz shoots all time Weakfish World Record with Sumora's Rabitech Apex 110cm Carbon. See full listing at iusarecords.com. Congratulations Tai!

Sumora announces impressive World Record catches with signature Carbon Series.

Christopher Saxl

Black Drum 84 pounds here

August 24, 2003

Rabitech Stealth Carbon 120cm

Cameron Kirkconnell

Mangrove Snapper, 14 pounds here

June 20, 2005

Rabitech Apex Carbon 130cm

Cameron Kirkconnell

Dogtooth Tuna, 200.6 pounds here

February 4, 2006

Kill shot - Rabitech Apex Carbon 140cm

Casey Loesch

Spadefish, Atlantic 11.8 pounds here

June 28, 2008

Rabitech Apex Carbon 110cm

Corey Uhrich

Lake Trout, 26 pounds (requested picture not to be published)

Rabitech Stealth 80cm

Tai Menz

Gray Weakfish, 11.77 pounds here

May 25, 2009

Rabitech Apex Carbon 110cm

Ritchie Zacker

11.2 pounds Spadefish World Record (previous) here

Jacksonville, Florida

Rabitech Apex Carbon 110cm

Baja Spearfishing video

2009-06-25T02:17:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share my buddy Austin Derry's site with you guys. This video is of Richard Balta (4x World Record Holder) selectively shooting a 70# grouper at 60 ft when much larger ones could have been taken.

http://www.spearfishingmovies.com/movies/baja_grouper.html

Allow a few minutes for it to load :)

Erik, Sumora Dive Tools

www.sumora.com

Spearfishing brings the best food to the table

2009-06-24T00:28:00.000-07:00

Pictures do the talking today.

Friends & great divers Richard Balta & Austin Derry

My dad ate well for Father's day - fresh scallops Medium

Little lime juice before Tapatio thrown atop
White Seabass Sandwich, cooked and prepared 30 minutes after catch.
Fillets from a 3.5 pound Sargo!

Spierre Fins Initial Thoughts - by Prodigal Son

2009-06-24T00:02:00.001-07:00

By Prodigal Son

Spierre fins-Initial thoughts

My combined birthday/Father's Day gift was a pair of Spierre fins (kelp camo-Medium stiffness) to replace my old 20 Fathoms Matrix fins (#2 stiffness). I picked them up today from Erik Sun of Sumora. As usual, his service was great. He outfitted them with Picasso Black Team footpockets. The Spierre fins are about the same length as the Matrix fins, but are noticeably wider at the base (near the footpocket) and a little heavier. They also are angled blades. I just tried out the new fins in a pool. They're noticeably more powerful than my Matrix fins, and seemed more comfortable. Slow, gentle kicks propelled me underwater with less effort than before. The additional comfort may have been in part due to the footpocket since I was never comfortable with the Sporasubs on my Matrix fins. I can't determine yet whether the deeper angle on the fins makes a difference in surface swimming, but in the pool, it seemed like there was less strain on my ankles. My guess is that the Medium stiffness is the same as the Matrix #3 blades. I'm going halibut hunting this week (if the water conditions allow) to put these fins through their paces.

http://www.sumora.com/image.php?ID=1492

Croatian Amberjack

2009-06-19T18:02:00.000-07:00

This 40kg amberjack was taken by Luka in Croatia while doing aspetto at 31Meters for Dentex. The size of the head was like a 50kg but it was a "skinny amberjack." Doesn't look too skinny to us!

Congratulations on a great fish.

Tai Menz New World Record

2009-06-19T17:54:00.000-07:00

Tai Menz in New Jersey recently shot a Weakfish World Record with his Rabitech Apex Carbon 110cm fitted with open muzzle. Congratulations Tai for an All-Time World Record

http://iusarecords.com/world_record_list.php

5.34 kg., 11.77 lbs.

Weakfish, Gray Cynoscion regalis

New Spearfishing bags

2009-06-13T14:24:00.000-07:00

We just produced Two of our very own Spearfishing bags - Speargun & Gear Bags

They hold a lot of gear!

Sumora Speargun Bag:

Holds up to 5 Railguns or 2-3 Wooden guns with pouches for spears, YKK Zipper for durability and Nylon outer.

Dive anywhere!

Sumora Dive Bag:

Holds a ton of gear - floats, fins, floatlines, mono, 200meters of dyneema.... you name it.

Two mesh outer pockets for wet storage, large interior breathable compartment, and two nylon for dry items.

South Africa National Results

2009-06-04T01:52:00.000-07:00

Friday, May 8, 2009

SA Nationals - Individual's Results

Below are the individual results for the South African National spearfishing competition held on the Natal South Coast this week (5-8 May). We are happy to see how many of the top 25 divers are diving with Spierre fins, 5 of them placing in the top 10.

Well done to Brod and Gyula for taking 1st and 2nd place.

		Day 1	Day 2	Total	%
1	Brod Whittaker	36.81	69.55	106.36	100%	Spierre Fins
2	Gyula Plaganyi	43.42	56.8	100.22	94.23%	Spierre Fins
3	James Lawson-Smith	38.8	55.95	94.75	89.08%
4	Adriaan Kriel	47.73	44.65	92.38	86.86%	Spierre Fins
5	Angelo Spada	39	48	87	81.80%
6	Craig Heslop	41.02	44.6	85.62	80.50%
7	Neil Barnard	46.58	35.6	82.18	77.27%	Spierre Fins
8	Fred Bester	35.66	39.7	75.36	70.85%	Spierre Fins
9	John Girzda	38.49	36.5	74.99	70.51%
10	Richard Bruno	38.17	28.85	67.02	63.01%
11	Graham Carlisle	39.74	25.5	65.24	61.34%
12	Renier Coetzee	32.82	29.7	62.52	58.78%
13	Jeremy Williams	23.27	38.8	62.07	58.36%
14	Robert Reynolds	25.76	35.3	61.06	57.41%
15	Andrew Henwwood	18.21	40	58.21	54.73%	Spierre Fins
16	Chris West	26.87	30.45	57.32	53.89%
17	Garrick Morris	22.61	34.7	57.31	53.88%
18	Brent Borstlap	41.73	14.8	56.53	53.15%	Spierre Fins
19	Tony Heugh	30.99	25.35	56.34	52.97%
20	Garret Staats	26.82	26.15	52.97	49.80%	Spierre Fins
21	Carl Werner	22.66	27.7	50.36	47.35%
22	Rob Willes	21.58	26.1	47.68	44.83%
23	Sean O'Connor	17.09	29.4	46.49	43.71%
24	Ian Ewing	22.72	23.65	46.37	43.60%	Spierre Fins
25	Chris Swart	21.15	23.9	45.05	42.36%	Spierre Fins
26	Rick de Vries	21.96	22.15	44.11	41.47%
27	Bartho Kotze	22.34	15.55	37.89	35.62%
28	Owen Huxtable	9.73	27	36.73	34.53%
29	Greg Bisset	23.45	11.85	35.3	33.19%
30	Simon Karsten	26.65	6.65	33.3	31.31%
31	Eugene van Wyngaardt	15.57	13.4	28.97	27.24%
32	Paul Putter	16.2	12.75	28.95	27.22%
33	Hylton Newcombe	10.17	16.2	26.37	24.79%
34	Trevor Burger	16.55	9.78	26.33	24.76%
35	Hardus Bouwer	5.74	18.85	24.59	23.12%
36	Darryl Hiscock	11.91	8.75	20.66	19.42%
37	Christo Vermeulen	16.41	4	20.41	19.19%
38	John Little	12.9	5.6	18.5	17.39%
39	Craig Burmeister	4.94	10.85	15.79	14.85%
40	Dane Salmon	2.77	12.5	15.27	14.36%
41	Glen van Ooten	2.42	12.55	14.97	14.07%
42	Dave Coetzee	3.1	11.2	14.3	13.44%
43	Terrance Bellingan	2.15	12	14.15	13.30%
44	Andrew Kallman	3.11	8.9	12.01	11.29%
45	Shane Strong	2.33	6.3	8.63	8.11%
46	Stuart Jardine	7.78	0	7.78	7.31%
47	S Aiken	6.55	0	6.55	6.16%
48	Fred Snyman	3.54	2.05	5.59	5.26%
49	Grant Teubes	2.41	2.6	5.01	4.71%
50	John Kallman	0	1.95	1.95	1.83%

TREK! 5/30-5/31 turnaround

2009-06-03T11:16:00.001-07:00

The turn of a key, the touch of a button, and POOF! I was on my way to the rugged Sonoma coast in an instant. What did my eagerness stem from? What had overcome me? I had never felt it before.

It’s just that – in my ten years of diving, I’ve never heard the words “flat” and “calm” used in the same sentence to describe Northern California’s water.

So began my one thousand mile trek for three shells. That’s right. Not even enough to count one for each finger on both hands, let alone one.
THREE shells. That’s all we’re allowed to have in possession – or risk Jail time.

Thoughts wandered through my head as the staccatos of the music blaring from the car stereo music deafened as I tried to tune out unwilling thoughts while I cruised up the I-5. It was just a few years ago that famous diver Randy Fry was horrifically decapitated diving for Abalone on the Norcal coast.

Three Abalones (underwater snails, really) that people gristle and gripe and groan, grind and steal and hurt and kill for.

What was the big deal?

I had to find out…

I left Saturday morning after meeting a friend in Hollywood for a quick breakfast. Then on my way to grocery shop, pack dinner and lunch for the next day, a stove, a tent, my dive gear, and nothing else in search of three big Abs…
arriving to the campsite to set up and hear the bellows of the sea lions as I forced myself to sleep unwilling to think of the sealions as bait...

>>>
The next morning in search of a remote location I was greeted rudely by the pessimistic ocean. Even after a 45 minute hike with over 50 pounds of gear strapped to my back, and despite the calmness that resembled more a lake than the Pacific, my high hopes were popped as the milky green water said its first hellos. Plankton bloom. Everywhere. L I knew it would be near impossible to see past the stretch of one’s arm, a far cry from the endless visibility I was expecting due to the nonexistent swell.

Regardless, my brow was now sweaty after traversing rocks, boulders, and slippery seaweed that near caused my early departure from this Earth…Hips sore, shoulders tired, my drenched-laden body couldn’t wait to douse itself in the chilly forty-eight degree water…

Here’s the pictures…

>>>
It was a great time…and who knows,

Maybe I’ll gristle and gripe and groan and…hold on. Let me get me a taste of some fresh abalone.

-E

Tip over the cows!

Beautiful sunset
Going through the mountains is calming...
Rugged Sonoma Coastline...
No humongous abalone but 8 1/4" - 8 7/8"...fun for 3 foot visibility!

Spierre Pure Carbons

2009-05-03T23:03:00.000-07:00

Deep is free. Spierre.

National Geographic Photographer Fiona Ayerst photographing Spierre Diver w/ Pure Carbons

A shot I took in PV

The most important thing to bear in mind with our carbon blades is that although they may appear the same as any of the other carbons, they are manufactured from only carbon cloth throughout. The majority of carbon fins in the market are constructed using one layer of carbon on the outside of the composite construction whereas the inside consists of multiple layers of fiberglass cloth. By using pure carbon throughout the construction you are getting the maximum effect that carbon fiber can offer – superior return to original position, optimal memory etc. Adding fiberglass to the inside diminishes on this as fiberglass has quite different properties to carbon fiber.

The carbon composites are not the same as the pure carbon blades and this becomes evident when diving deep. The majority of divers purchasing our pure carbons are switching from other (well-known brands) of carbon blades, preferring the performance of our blades way above the blades they have been using.

Apart from the performance, the cost to manufacture a pure carbon blade using only carbon cloth throughout is obviously therefore close to double the cost of a normal carbon blade but we have chosen this route for one simple reason – to produce the very best blade possible.

Just out of interest, taken from the South African Spearfishing ranking website, the following is a list of the current top ranked SA divers using our pure carbons:

Gyula Plaganyi – ranked no. 1 (Captain)

James Lawson-Smith – ranked 2

Allen Fraser – ranked 4

Mark Jackson – ranked 5

Adriaan Kriel – ranked 7

Gareth Staats – ranked 9

Gletwyn Rubidge – ranked 10

As well as Springboks:

Tommy Botha – 12X National Champion

Jaco Blignaut – 5x National Champion

Erik Lombard

Ryan Burmeister

Marc White

Edward Hayman

Trevor Hutton – 2x World Freediving Record Holder

And many more like

Rob Allen (RA spearguns)

Review from Distinguished fisherman/spearfisherman

2009-04-15T23:03:00.000-07:00

"The biggest freedive tourney in the state is in April and Ive always wanted to win it so Im getting it prepped early. Competition is fierce but that’ll just make it that much more satisfying when we win.

Also, the band length section was not working on the site. I usually just measure the one I take off and come close but sometimes they are light probably due to stretching. Whats the proper length for double 16mms on a 110 and a 130? That 130cm Rabitech Carbon Apex is just the best damn gun. I now have some very expensive custom made guns in similar lengths with triple bands yada yada that I won in raffles (like the 130) but find myself grabbing the 130 before all of them when it really counts. Maybe just a comfort thing I dunno but that thing rocks."

Ed Walker, Florida (www.LightTackleCharters.com)

Have you gotten your Spierres?

2009-02-28T23:04:00.000-08:00

Sumora Dive Tools - Exclusive USA Distributors of Spierre Carbon & Fiberglass Fins

Nice Coutas with Spierre Pure Carbons

Renowned photographer Fiona Ayerst takes shots of Diver using Spierre Pure Carbons

Florida's Ed Walker 2/15/2009

2009-02-18T18:16:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures from renowned fishing guide Captain Ed Walker at Light Tackle Charters

The last picture in the sequence is one of the coolest pictures I've seen in a long time. Shot with Sumora Apex 130cm Carbon Fiber which he custom painted. (Article below from 2005) shows Ed's creative talents both in the paint and writing of the article in Florida's Sun-Sentinel.

Ed and Cameron Kirkconnell

Ed with nice Amberjack and Sumora 7.5mm Spear shaft

New Pictures February 7, 2009

2009-02-08T20:38:00.000-08:00

We're very lucky, proud, and grateful to work with top quality manufacturers:

Spierre Fins, Rabitech Railguns, and Tommy Botha Tuna Line and our own Sumora Marsellaise Weightbelts & Spearshafts.

Here are some recent pictures.

Fat Cubera snapper w/ Spierre Pure Carbon Fins

Pierre Liebenberg & Gang in South Africa shooting Yellowtails with Spierre Pure Carbon Fins used by entire South African national team

Albie with 30 pound Black Grouper shot with Rabitech Apex Carbon 110cm
Albie with Rabitech Apex Carbon getting ready to shoot Grouper
Ken in Lake Mojave w/ Rabitech fitted w/ Sliptip & Striper

Chris Oak from Los Angeles, California proudly showing personal best 24 pound Halibut

Shot with Rabitech Stealth 120cm x 7mm shaft...Congratulations Oak!

24# and 12# Hali

Some recent pictures.

2009-02-04T00:34:00.001-08:00

Some Sheepshead

Rabitech Wetsuit, Octopus. Palos Verdes, CA
Big Female Sheepshead, Rabitech 100cm Carbon Stealth
View from Above
Alive

New South African Record Tropical Yellowtail

2008-12-29T15:11:00.000-08:00

Craig Heslop shoots 110cm Stealth Carbon through 24kg Tropical Yellowtail.

2008-12-29T14:49:00.000-08:00

Rabitech Stealth Testimonial

Spearo’: Angelo Spada

Palm d’Or: South African national spearfisherman

Represented Natal A on three occasions

Represented Southern Gauteng A once

Highest National placing - third

Current Border Open Champion

Equipment used: Only Rabitech Stealth Carbon guns (from 60cm to 1.15m) – 5 in total

Rabitech Predator wetsuits (Elios suits for comps only)

Orca Carbonetic and Sporasub Pure fins

Rabitech Stealth Guns: I live 600km from the nearest salt water. This means that when I do dive competitively I do not have the luxury of missing fish. I also do not have the time to get used to a new gun. From the moment I first held a Stealth, I knew this was the gun for me! I can honestly say that probably 80% of the fish I shoot I stone or spine. It is amazing some of the shots that I do pull off especially when you have no option but to try as you know the fish is going and will not return. Squeeze the trigger and the fish practically stops swimming as the spear enters near the tail and exits somewhere near the head! With guns I used to have I never even thought about taking the shot as I knew it would miss.

The balance of these guns is superb, with the angle the handle forms in your hand – just perfect – you point at the fish and fire, knowing the fish is yours. For fun I sometimes try ridiculous shots as a normal mid body shot is too easy! A favorite is shooting queen mackerel from the top. The target is extremely narrow but with the right gun, not too difficult to do.

These guns although pretty are not pretty euro guns. They can handle big fish. All the following fish were taken with one of my Stealth guns:

Garrick (Licia amia) 18.5 kg

King Mackerel: 28.5kg – Where’s the spear hole????

8kg Yellowbelly Rockcod – Spain

Note – no spear mark as fish stoned outside its lair!

10kg Black Musselcracker and 4kg Natal Fingerfin

Note the lack of damage to these fish as they both were ‘switched off’

Other noteworthy fish:

Amberjack 19.5kg

Daga (Muloway) 34kg

Queenfish 13 kg (would have been a SA Record but never claimed)

Natal Stumpnose 6.2 kg

White Musselcracker 13 kg

Milkfish (Chanos chanos) 13 kg – the strongest fish I have landed

All these fish have been taken in Natal

Mixed Fish Soup!

2008-12-24T01:05:00.000-08:00

I was determined to try a new Sheepshead fish soup recipe so that was my prime target today. The visibility ranged from 10-30 feet with fantastic conditions diving from 11-2pm.
Inside 15-25 ft the visibility was top to bottom no problem.
Outer 40ft-45ft depth vis worsened and the kelp super thick.

Really nice dive!!!!!!

Ended up bagging: with plans to cook in parentheses
5 sheepshead (soup/ceviche)
5 Sargo (fried/baked)
1 Kelpfish (panfried)
1 Cabezon (steamed whole)
2 Octopi (tenderized and put into soup)

I need some help cutting onions so I was hoping someone would know: It doesn't matter if I wear glasses, ski goggles, or no glasses, my eyes water uncontrollably when cooking onions, even when I light a candle next to the cutting board. Does anybody have any tips... Just drink more wine??

(Yes I know it's ridiculous!)

36" Sheepshead

2008-12-04T23:25:00.001-08:00

Fat Sheepshead from Palos Verdes, CA shot with Rabitech Apex Tuna Line 120cm, over 25pounds! (11.3kg) shot by Jim Pierce.

New pictures

2008-11-30T17:31:00.001-08:00

Attached are two pictures: Haul by Ritchie Zacker, Sumora Customer and 2006 Spearfishing Team National Team Champion (Above)

4pm-2AM dive in Laguna Beach, California(Below)

2008-11-20T13:10:00.000-08:00

The clock was ticking away. Decision time to leave Los Angeles at 1:30pm Wednesday...Be stuck in traffic while pristine Laguna conditions wash away... or go out and enjoy the scenery ASAP!

Hearing about good conditions is usually just hearsay - its truth cannot be asserted because weather can change so instantly, and fish can disappear so rapidly. I had to find out what the fuss was about (My friend shot 2 Halibut yesterday - the larger being 40")...so the decision was easy!!!

After the last Sargo cooking spree that turned out to be one of the moistest, tastiest fish (and knowing a big party to provide for), I was on a Sargo-Hunt.

I made it to Laguna at 4:30pm, about 30 minutes before sun down instantly getting some dinner (2 Sargos with my 120cm Apex 3000) at the far reef at Moss. I didn't find the big sheepsheads, nor the calicos this time around, even in the dimming 30 ft visibility.

I made my way into shore and grabbed my new Princeton Tech Shockwave LED (Very Very nice LED light - brighter than my previous UK C8 LED and lightweight. And switched out the 120cm Apex 3000 Tuna Line for an 80cm gun. (Stealth Carbon 80cm)

Diving at night was fun and challenging - given I've never hunted (fish) at night. Visibility made things comfortable and conditions were FLAT! (though Moss gets very surgy). I shot 4 more Sargo and a nice Calico. In shallow where there was a lot of water movement I looked for bugs, saw a 4#er retreat far back into the hole and grabbed a legal. I then headed over to Sebastien's house (If only because I heard his wife is a Le Cordon Bleu trained chef)

I am so lucky and blessed - Earlier in the week a customer's wife cooked up an italian food storm after a dive in PV, and as a first grade teacher cursed and threw down some beers and pasta and pizza with us. I wish I could have shared this wonderful meal with all you.

Sebastien's wife was a fantastic cook and very hospitable...what I wanted was a light meal before the night dive but how could I resist?

Thoughts of having a light dinner quickly took reversed themselves after I got a bite of the food

So, we had a few more glasses of wine, relaxed by the outdoor firepit, and we headed to a different spot together.

Quickly searched for Halibut but looks like someone killed them all the night before...then headed for Scallops pulling a limit throughout the night (after dropping the iron, used our hands to pull them off the rocks)

It was a good learning experience to look in a lot of the holes to see what was going on, where the bugs were moving, but there were a lot of traps out and previous report of bugs everywhere (day before) turned untrue for today.

Deep in a cave a small Octopus was camouflaging itself but its bulbous head stuck out and so he was early to come to the party.

And later a scorpionfish decided to come along as well.

We were in no rush - it was now 1:30AM and 3 hours of doing 1 up one down with green glowsticks attached to the snorkel (this was very helpful and not obstructive) Sometimes we venture out all over the place but I truly enjoyed the team effort and camaraderie of diving together.

In where there was more good water movement was able to find 2 more bugs and we headed in. Was out of the water at 2AM, Dropped off lobster for my parents then headed to LA. Along the way searched for Albertacos 24 hr Mexican food, settled after 30 minutes of pointless driving with Del Taco.
Arrived to my destination at 4:30AM.

Total tally for the Phelps diet:
10 Scallops
3 Bugs
1 Octopus
6 Sargo
1 Calico
1 Scorpionfish
1 Donut Cinnamon twist (Donut Star)
1 Bean and Cheese Burrito (Del Taco)
1 Chicken Burrito (Del Taco)

Enjoy some videos

2008-11-10T17:57:00.000-08:00

I hope you enjoy some videos of World Freediving Record Holder Stephane Mifsud as much as we did:

Dive Hard. Sumora. Dive Anywhere.

I Kill to eat!

2008-11-02T13:23:00.000-08:00

I Kill to Eat, and I eat…to kill. Another day. Fuel to the body. Necessary? Absolutely. It’s a vicious cycle that could be easily broken if one of the steps were taken out. But I don’t want it to. It won’t happen. Not now. Never. No way…! It’s too much fun being in nature, this time going up and down the cliffs of Palos Verdes, (Southern California) for small table fish. I have to admit, I like variety. And I like to cook. So naturally the menu of the night consisted of fish. And fish! And even more.

It was 6 o clock in the evening when we started preparation. I knew it was time for dinner Right now…so, logically… I began the preparation for LUNCH…tomorrow: Filipino style ceviche. It begins the same process of cooking the fish in limejuices as Mexican style, only later coconut milk, Turmeric, and papaya are added. The fish of choice was Sheepshead which range from 1-25+ pounds. For steaming and ceviche, I like the smaller the better. It was quickly filleted, sliced, and put in a Ziploc, the next step? Add garlic, ginger and salt, quickly expedite it to the refrigerator.

It was only proper to start with appetizer of some Bonita Sashimi caught off Catalina Island, California.

NEXT. My recent trips to Angelini Osteria in LA have seen the Branzino (Mediterranean fish) prepared in an interesting aromatic way. It involves preparing a salt-bread crumb crust mixture layered with thyme, garlic, salt, various other herbs, olive oil, and stuffing the cavity for flavorful fish baked in the oven at 350F for roughly 20 minutes.

The crust is taken off and the fish ends up being UNBELIEVABLY moist, delicious, and extremely flavorful in this simple preparation. We made a cucumber heirloom tomato basil Salad w/ Mozzarella and red onions (also in a fish dish)

To finish the dinner we had Almond-crusted Halibut fillets dipped simply in flour, egg, crushed almonds, salt pepper and cooked in Butter.

Overall it was a GREAT TIME but not without its mishaps: Leaving the butter too long on the saucepan...And accidentally placing an oven-proof glass dish directly on the stove.

To get it perfect next time?...I'll just have to dive another day.

Erik Sun

Spierre blades on top!

2008-11-02T10:16:00.001-08:00

Attached are pics taken during scouting in Venezuela - sent to me by Gyula, South Africa's National team captain. Apparently the various teams at Worlds tested each other’s equipment and according to Gyula our Spierre P ure Carbon blades came out tops above the other brands. Our whole team ended up returning to SA minus their fins after selling them to the other competitors.

Speak soon,

Pierre

pictured: Spierre Pure carbon Blades, Gyula with Spierre Pure Carbons & Rabitech Wetsuit.

Catalina in 1 minute...short report

2008-11-01T12:54:00.000-07:00

Catalina Island lies about 25 miles offshore southern California (Los Angeles).

Though we were looking for yellowtail in nice 64-66 F(18-19C) water with visibility upwards of 40ft (10-12 meters), we ended up shooting reef fish and Bonita (which are fantastic for Sashimi)

Here's a short video.

Finally diving again...Santa Cruz Island

2008-10-20T19:55:00.000-07:00

My ankle has been sprained for a month and half, and discomfort and soreness partner my every step in the morning.

I was unsure how my trip to Santa Cruz Island aboard Beverly Dive's charter trip would be. How my ankle would feel kicking to depths, so diving with a boat full of Scuba Divers and no one to spot me on freedives, the first dives were especially difficult to remain calm and maintain zen-like breath, poise, and control (isn't it always!?!!!!!!?) :).

I was scared that even if I made it to depth, that I would have the strength in my right leg to ascend...

It only took about 30 dives and an hour and half...for the rust in the ankle to be WD40'd out - the fix was to use a dolphin kick which almost forces tucking the head and having less resistance on the descent along with exponential power on demand. I met the other scuba divers and observed at 55 ft. I saw that we were all hunters...

Here's a little video capturing some of the highlights of the trip!

Enjoy,

Erik

Sumora Products featured in HSD + Rabitech Gear Bag Review

2008-10-12T01:46:00.000-07:00

The new issue of Hawaii Skin Diver Magazine (#36, October 2008) has exciting stories, lots of photos, and features two of our products. I suggest picking up an issue or subscribing to this great publication.

Rabitech Sliptip (and shaft combinations as well)

Tommy Botha Tuna Board

Rabitech Gear Bag Review by diver in UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar: Complete review Here

Sumora's new Retail Partners host Cortes Banks and Panama Charters

2008-09-28T11:08:00.000-07:00

Northern California:

Bodega Bay Pro Dive

1275 Hwy 1

Bodega Bay, CA 94923

(707) 875-3054

Bodega is a great dive shop that specializes in local (CA and Mexico) charters and has started to stock our Rubber Weightbelts! For those looking for a CORTES BANKS dive trip, they are hosting from October 4 - 7th, 2008. For those looking to get out to a fantastic location on a liveaboard, here's an excellent opportunity.

Anderson's Scuba Diving

541 Ocean Blvd.

Pacifica, CA 94044

(650) 355-3050

Anderson's Scuba Diving shop is running a fantastic trip to Panama...10 full days and nights, May 13-23rd, 2009. All inclusive 2650 per person + Air. Limited load of 16 persons aboard 100' M/V Lost Coast Explorer. Book your trip today!

For more details or flyers on the trip, contact us.

1.949.310.3393

New weightbelt slideshow

2008-09-27T21:43:00.000-07:00

Closeup: Stainless Steel Buckle
Weightbelt with Weights

Review from Customer

"Erik,

I got the weightbelt today and it looks great. The rubber is thick and feels heavy duty. Very nice product. Thanks again for your great business and I definitely appreciate the personal touches that you take for your customers." -Paul M. Illinois

Sneak Preview of Rabitech Barrel

2008-09-25T00:42:00.001-07:00

SHHHH! Rabitech is coming out with a new barrel....here's a sneak preview still in the testing stage...better tracking and rigidity!

Sumora Rubber Weightbelt & Poseidonsub Review of Rabitech Apex 3000 Handle

2008-09-23T03:40:00.000-07:00

Yellowtail Report from Spierre in South Africa (Our Fin Manufacturer!)

2008-09-23T03:38:00.000-07:00

"Hope you've had some diving your side. We just came back from a dive at Dassen Island today - attached is a photo of some yellowtail and bream that we shot. The water was very nice and smooth with no wind and the water was relatively clean at the island. The fish were about two miles from the island in a large area with birds working on the fish. We had to dive through a layer of jellyfish and murkier water to get to the clean water layer further down to find some big schools of yellowtail, the water temp was about 15deg. The fish were fast moving as they were feeding on anchovies, we normally use a spinning rod to draw the fish to the boat and then shoot as the school comes past. Today we managed to get 20 yellowtail, when it gets really good at the island you can get your quota within an hour or two.

Wisdom for the start of the week

2008-09-21T21:52:00.000-07:00

diving gives ultimate life wisdom. and so does dr. seuss.

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”

- Dr. Seuss

Rusty Shaft? Try ours today!

2008-09-20T18:52:00.000-07:00

As far as we're concerned, South Africa makes the best speargun shafts. However, recently, RA switched suppliers of their coating and ran into some serious rust issues.

(Picture attached). Although we used to carry RA shafts, the Freedivers Shaft seems to have a great balance of rigidity, tensile strength (2150MPA), and the best anti-rust coating we've found in spring steel shafts. The Rockwell hardness ranges between 54-56, the hardest on the market. They are also made in South Africa. There was a story of a diver who lost his Freedivers gun at sea. He came back to the spot and found it (3 MONTHS LATER!) with barnacles and sea-life growing all over it! But the shaft didn't have a spec of rust!

The most important elements of the shaft are (in no particular order):

Straightness, Hardness, Dependable flopper, and anti-rust properties.

Needless to say, we have been carrying this one ever since.

Want to try the Shafts to see for yourself? $AVE money.

Regular 7mm shafts: $42

Regular 7.5mm shafts $45

Sharkfinned Shafts: $48

Sliptip for fitting on pinned shaft: $85

Threaded shaft w/ sliptip COMBO 7mm (no assembly required): $103

Threaded shaft w/ sliptip 8mm COMBO(no assembly required): $113

SPECIAL!

Save $8 on ALL shafts

Save: $10 on ALL sliptips. Try our shafts... Email us today!

"I would definately agree that you guys have the best shafts. I used a 130cm Freedivers S.A. gun fishing offshore all summer, and after landing numerous 30 plus pound fish the shaft is still straight. Thanks again. Dan, Haterras, North Carolina."

Comparison Chart	Sumora Spears	Rob Allen Spears
MPA	2150 MPA	2100 MPA
Rockwell	54-56 Rockwell hardness	52 rockwell
Rust	3 months gun submerged and lost at sea. Barnacles growing, but not yet a spec of rust!	4-5 times submerged, rusting
Shafts available also for American Mechanisms (Riffe, Alexander, Wong, etc?)	Yes	No
Threaded Shafts?	Yes	No

ARTICLE: Just how tough are these Sumora spears? by Craig Heslop

Founder member Craig Heslop puts a 1.7m, 7mm Spring Steel Sumora spear to the test:

On a recent trip to the Sea of Cortez, I debated long and hard about how many spare spears to take along on the trip. I finally decided on 6 spears in total – knowing the reputation of the area as a prolific producer of strong, quality gamefish. My weapon of choice is my old faithful Sumora Leven. A 1.3m railgun, fitted with 1.7m, 7mm spring steel spear and 20ml rubber band. I have used this gun for 10 years now and it is still dead accurate.

Well after lugging a 12kg gun bag around on a flight that took us through 4 different airports I was reminded just how strong the Sumora steel spears are – I didn’t bend a single one! This is what the spear endured:

2 x Amberjack 48lb’s (98lb)
3 x Wahoo 40 – 50lb’s (140lb)
Rooster 45lb’s (45lb)
20lb snapper (20lb)

(which holed me up in a cave for 20 min in a strong current)

All of these are strong fighting fish, yet the spear is still dead straight! When I started diving, my first gun was a conventional model: 1.2m barrel without rail, fitted with 1.8m spear to accommodate for spear sag. It still amazes me how much of a difference shortening the spear by 10cm makes to its durability: I used to have to replace spears after every fish shot over 30lb’s but the railgun has eliminated this problem.

Now back from London, the spear test continues. Herewith recent extracts from my diving Diary:

15 Jan ’04: Shoredive off Durban

1 x King Mackerel (17lb)
3 x reef fish (12lb)

18 Jan ‘04: Cape Vidal

2 x King Mackerel (28lb)
1 x Queen Mackerel (14lb)

19 Jan ‘04: Cape Vidal

6 x King Mackerel (66lb)
8 x Queen Mackerel (100lb)

(There were two big Zambezi and Tiger sharks in constant attendance during this dive, thus I was putting considerable pressure on the fish to haul them in quickly, however spear did not bend)

23 Jan ‘04: Shoredive off Tongaat

5 x Various reefies (16.5lb)

24 Jan ‘04: Shoredive off Salt Rock

7 x King Mackerel (198lb)
1 x Spadefish 5lb (5lb)

(What impressed me on this dive was that all fish were strung on my float as I was shorediving, the last fish shot was a King Mackerel of 50lb, which was dragging the weight of the other fish (+-150lb’s) through the water when fighting)

13 Feb ' 04 - Boat dive off the Bluff

1 x Queen Mackerel (15lb)

Assorted Rockcod, Bream, Tasle fish (20lb)

18 Feb '04 - Shoredive off Salt Rock

5 x Queen Mackerel (55lb)

4 x Spadefish (25lb)

2 x Seapike (22lb)

20 Feb '04 - Boat dive at Sodwana Bay

4 x King Mackerel (45lb)

Kaakap (22lb)

Amberjack (20lb)

21 Feb '04 - Boat dive at Sodwana Bay

6 x King Mackerel (66lb)

3 x Kaakap (35lb)

Amberjack (25lb)

22 Feb '04 - Boat dive at Sodwana Bay

3 x King Mackerel (22lb)

1 x Bluefin Kingfish (9lb)

Spear Synopsis:
Spear still straight although not as rigid as when new. Anti-corrosion coating still in place and no sign of rust. Spear still sharp.

26 Feb '04 - Shoredive off Umhlanga

4 x Queen Mackerel (55lb)

4 x Rockcod (12lb)

27 Feb '04 - Shoredive off Umhlanga

4 x Queen Mackerel (60lb)

28 Feb '04 - Shoredive off La Mercy

2 x King Mackerel (25lb)

2 x Queen Mackerel (30lb)

1 x Indian Mirror Fish (10lb)

22 March - Shoredive off Hibberdene

5 x Rockcod, 2 x Rubberlips

& 1 x Copper Bream (35lb)

28 March '04 - Boat dive off Umdloti

3 x King Mackerel (32lb)

Assort. Reefies (12lb)

Total Weight thus far: 111 fish (1,409.5lb)

Spear Synopsis:
Spear starting to look a bit tired. Tip is now rusting and some of coating has been scratched off. Still shooting dead straight though!

Disclaimer:
Please note that the above account is only representative of what your spear is capable of enduring, however actual resilience is dependent upon a number of factors, including:

Proper care for the spear
Not shooting into caves & rocks
How much pressure is placed on the fish during the fight.

Accordingly Sumora does not guarantee the life of your spear, however adhering to recommended care guidelines will ensure that you obtain maximum use from the spear.

2008-09-13T21:14:00.000-07:00

I'm exhausted!
Ritchie, Austin and I had a great time on Friday with clear visibility(40-60 Feet vertically and 50-70 laterally). We dove all day from 7am to 6pm. not including boat ride & cleanup. The seas were flat, calm, clear, except for lots of algae in the water...

I got to take some pictures and video right in the action on numerous occasions. After coming up from my first dive, 2 yellowtail (one 15# and one 30#) cruised behind to check me out. Austin, following me upcurrent made a quick dive and shot the larger of the two fish. Then a sealion came to check him out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8i8j60rCIQ

We dove on the spot and my last 4 dives I saw yellowtail everydive diving the outer edge of the bait and facing the bait.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtjlNkzsq9M
Then, turning around and yellowtail(s) (1-2) would come by to check out what was going on.

Tried taking a little footage and should be posting a few better videos hopefully soon (less shaky) Here is a little Calico Bass Spearfishing video. I'm searching for a better technique than left hand holding camera, right hand holding gun, so I dropped the gun, swam after it and picked it up relatively close to the bottom. Seemed to work =)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caASh7aSrCY
Some U/W Pictures of Ritchie and his 30# yellows

Rabitech Testimonials

2008-09-09T00:00:00.000-07:00

RABITECH TESTIMONIALS

The true test of Sumora’s qualities is not what we say about ourselves, but rather what others say about us.

"Sumora isn't just giving lip service to its philosophy of providing quality gear at an affordable price. They are living it everyday with the way they have set up their company, with the scale of their plans, and with their passion for diving. I expect Sumora to be a big success."

Sean O'Connor

"We are very pleased to be associated with Sumora, and to offer Rabitech products in the USA. They are passionate and experienced and I am sure that the American divers will benefit from having access to quality diving equipment."

Louis Hatting, Rabitech Founder

"Sumora has assembled an impressive group who have solid diving experience. By partnering deeply with the leading dive gear manufacturers in South Africa, I am sure they are going to provide products that the American market will appreciate and enjoy."

Wayne Vos, Cape Vidal Local

"Its great to see a passionate group of divers set up a business to provide a fair deal for other divers. Best of luck Craig, and Russell. I am hoping things go well for you."

Garrick Morris

"Russ and team, best of luck for the launch of your operation in the USA. I am sure it will be a success. I have found the RabiTech guns that you have supplied to me here in Australia to be of the highest quality, and you have another satisfied customer."

Cameron Kirkconnell, 3x World Record Holder with Rabitech Railguns

“Can't say enough about the Rabitech from Erik at Sumora. It almost feels like cheating. I don't think I'll use another gun. Nice head shot on a moving fish at about 18 feet. Shoots where you point it. No bad habits. Now I only have to wait another 8 months to get back to salt water.

Gary Fiala, California USA

“Alright!!! Two world records in one summer. Both records taken down with a sweet 130cm carbon apex. What else can I say about that gun.”

Ritchie Zacker, 2006 National Spearfishing Champion and 2x World Record Holder

I shot the gun today in the canal behind my house and its super smooth and accurate, cant wait to get it out to the hunting grounds.

Peter Gonzalez, Miami Florida

Thanks Erik, I used the gun a couple of weeks ago on the west coast of Florida, I put five gags up to 30# in the boat and a few mackerel. I love the gun, I am taking it out to the gulfstream this weekend to take a crack at some dolphin and hopefully a wahoo, I'll let you know how it goes...

Ryan Davis, Florida

Congratulations Chris Oak

2008-08-27T10:41:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Chris Oak for a Personal Best yellowtail! Catalina Island, CA 26.5#

After putting two shots into the fish (Poseidonsub w/ Sliptip), Rabitech 120cm Stealth Carbon w/ Single flopper 7mm x 160cm shaft, the yellow dragged the whole setups to the bottom and tied up in 52 feet of water.

Collaboration with Custom Gun Builders

2008-08-27T10:39:00.001-07:00

Sumora is proud to announce its collaboration with Custom Gun Builders

Gary Onuna (Hawaii) and Steve Veros (Northern California, http://www.poseidonsub.com)

The builders were impressed with the Apex 3000 handle both for its comfort and strength in Stainless Steel Trigger mechanism and will be building custom wood guns using Rabitech's Handle/Trigger assembly!

Erik

Rabitech Apex 3000 Tuna Barrel 120cm Customer Gun Review & Dive Report

2008-08-25T00:03:00.000-07:00

Rabitech Apex 3000 Tuna Line 120cm w/ Integrated Aluminum Rail

New Apex 3000 Handle blends the best of the Stealth comfort with Stainless steel Trigger mechanism - no wonder custom gun builders have been requesting the Rabitech Apex 3000 Handle! Handles are also available separately.

Rabitech Open Muzzle allows for easy band change outs and sighting down the shaft with no restrictions.

Customer Review:

Hi Erik,

Thanks!! We enjoyed meeting you as well and we're stoked that you can earn a living doing what you love!!! Again thanks for showing me the guns on your day off (at your home no less!!).

I took the gun out tonight just before sunset to the Hawthorne spot in PV. Vis was about a hazy 12-15ft and maybe less on the outside. Very thick kelp---maybe the strands were 12" apart and very dark inside (kind of creepy!). Didn't see any big fish but had a good dive none the less.

I noticed right away the extra 10cm I'm not used to, just carrying the gun through the water. However with the open muzzle and the single band being more in line with the barrel, it tracked through the water much easier than the RA. The balance was great when lining up on fish and I could easily shoot with just one hand. I noticed the gun was negative with the shaft out, or maybe with the float line attached (the RA floats without the shaft). The trigger was awesome---very smooth and very little effort. I could load the gun off my upper abs, but it hurt much more than the RA---I wonder if there's a rubber/urethane pad that could be placed over the back loading area??? I definitely have to get a loading pad on my suit for this gun---my abs are red and sore after just 3 shots today.

The great news is I pulled the trigger the first two times and hit two good sized Calico's. The first fish I found at the bottom of a crater with a 5ft high wall all the way around. I laid on top for a while and then dropped into the center over a rock and spooked the fish. He ran straight at the wall and then went up and over---as he cleared the top I took about an 8 ft shot and cartwheeled him. The second fish I slid down a kelp stalk to the bottom and got between him and the forest, forcing him to head into the open reef area. I actually waited for him to get about 10ft away before I shot to check the guns (and my own) accuracy. I hit him mid body right behind the gill plate.

The third fish was a sand bass that I saw from the surface and I really wanted to take a longer shot to see how accurate I could be. I dove down and laid on the bottom, propped/steadied the gun and had about a 10ft shot. I waited for the fish to move further away---I was hoping just a couple feet to maybe the 12-15ft range and he wouldn't budge. I started to run out of air so I began to glide up and he made a run. I took a 12-14ft shot at a slightly downward angle when he turned and hit right underneath him and pulverized the tip into the rocks!!! I don't believe I even heard the trigger click before I heard the echo of the tip banging/sticking into the rock!!! I was lightning quick---much faster than the RA, and consequently flattened the tip---but I was running out of daylight anyways! I'll run it into the shop tomorrow and stick it in the burr-king sander and sharpen it up. Thinking about it now the gun shot exactly where I pointed it---I need
ed to lead that fish at that distance, and aim a bit higher.

Erik, I love the gun!!! If I can shoot calico's to 10ft on my first two trigger pulls (they were even running away from me!), I'll have no problem with the bigger fish!! I'd still like to try the 2 16mm bands when you get them in and I'll probably order the bigger threaded shaft with the shark fin tabs and slip tip when they become available (just for the extra punch, and the double wrap for some more distance).

If you have any recommendations for the loading area on the gun, or if you sell anything, let me know/bring it down when you bring the bands. If you ever need a dive partner for PV, let me know I'm available alot of evenings and some mornings during the week if I plan a day or two in advance.

Thanks again---talk soon

Jim in California

Spierre & Sumora Collaboration

2008-08-21T16:26:00.001-07:00

New Fins! Call 1 949. 310. 3393 for details

Craig Heslop of Sumora

2008-08-19T00:20:00.000-07:00

Former Partner Craig Heslop of Sumora just had a baby, his dog loves fish, and he's still a hell of a diver, diving to depths in excess of 30Meters for big fish. Life is good!

Stellar Fish shot with Rabitech Apex

2008-08-12T00:58:00.000-07:00

Louis Hattingh Rabitech Sailfish, Wahoo load Rabitech Apex Carbon 130

Cameron Kirkconnell Rabitech Apex Carbon 140 World Record Dogtooth Tuna

Yellowfin Tuna, Bonito and pile of Yellowtail Rabitech Apex Carbon 120

Ritchie Zacker Florida w/ World Record Black Grouper Rabitech Apex Carbon 130

Miles in South Africa with load of Yellowfin Tuna, Rabitech Apex Carbon 130cm

Congratulations Mark Healey

2008-08-07T22:11:00.000-07:00

Congratulations expert Surfer and deep diver Mark Healey for winning 1st place in La Paz Rabitech Apex Carbon Fiber 140cm. After Mark won the La Paz World Cup, he went to South Africa to finish 6th place in International Surf competition!

Erik

Distribution Expands

2008-08-07T17:20:00.000-07:00

It has been a big decision to go from a 100% Online Business to doing business as distributorships with our prime retail partnerss. This was necessary to get the top South African gear sold by knowledgeable staff and have the widest reach.

Sumora is proud to note its following new partners where Rabitech Railguns, Freedivers Spears & SlipTips, Tommy Botha Tuna Boards & Guns, and our new Spierre Fin Line.
The best from South Africa.

California
Freedive Shop Northern California
2540 Boatman Ave., Suite 150
West Sacramento, CA 95691
http://www.freediveshop.com
greg@freediveshop.com
916-371-3410

Freedive Shop Southern California
1000 Aviation Blvd.
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
http://www.freediveshop.com
greg@freediveshop.com
310-374-7333

Spear Shack
4810 Santa Monica Ave.
San Diego 92107
mgshack1@yahoo.com
619-226-2406

Florida
ScubasWorld / SpearfishingWorld
10550 N.W. 77th Court #204
Hialeah Gardens,
Florida 33016
http://www.scubasworld.com
info@scubasworld.com
305-827-4929

Hawaii:

Westside Dive & Tackle
590 Farrington Hwy. Suite #11
Kapolei, HI 96707
http://westsidespearfishing.com/
kris@westsidespearfishing.com
808-228-2295

If you can suggest other stores that may be interested in carrying our lines, or are a dive shop interested in stocking our product, please contact guns @ sumora.com

Sumora Spearboard Contest Winners

2008-08-07T17:18:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the following winners in our Sumora Aggregate Guess the Weight Contest

Lots of nice prizes and all winners were within .5kg!

Erik

New World Record Spadefish!

2008-07-17T13:45:00.001-07:00

Congratulations to Casey Loesch in Florida for a great haul and New World Record SpadefishShot with 110cm Rabitech Apex Carbon 11.5 lbs

Previous spadefish world record was also captured with a Rabitech; 110cm Rabitech Stealth by 2006 National Champion Team member Ritchie Zacker, Jacksonville Florida 11.2 lbs.

Spierre Fins

2008-07-09T21:42:00.001-07:00

We'll be bringing in Spierre Fins early August. I think you will be as impressed as we are. The Fiber composites as well as Pure Carbons are incredible. Pictured is Jaco Blignaut with Pure Carbons, diving 120ft without dropweight assistance.

New Dive report up! 7/8/2008: HERE. Catalina Island.

From top to bottom: Fiber Composite Kelp Camo (Medium Stiffness), Fiber Composite Bluewater Camo(Medium Stiffness), Fiber Composite Reef Camo(Medium Stiffness), Jaco Blignaut and Pure Carbon fins (Hard stiffness).

Tai in New Jersey

2008-07-05T22:07:00.000-07:00

Tai in New Jersey sends some beautiful Stripers with Rabitech Stealth 100cm newly fitted with Rabitech Open Muzzle. It makes me want to jump into freshwater!

pictures

Mexico

2008-07-01T17:25:00.000-07:00

Mexico is sometimes the best place in the world. Sometimes. Its relaxing and even when you cross the border and the stench of Tijuana overcomes your senses, you feel outside the normal element. No stress, except for the fact you may get shot by the Cartels. But the place in question is not Tijuana, it's a place located halfway down Baja in a town that is walkable from one end to the other in fewer than 10 minutes.

But relief of stress isn't the reason I've come to love the place. Its the culture, the siesta, friendliness, the fishing village...the fish.

Large and powerful, the yellowtail here are of a different breed. They've surely eaten their wheaties. The leopard grouper are similar in habit to California's Calico bass-only larger. Much larger.

But the short story is we dove and video'd for four days, drove for 2, and among four divers managed four yellowtail and one large Leopard Grouper. I got to try my new Tommy Botha 65" Tuna gun (demolished the face of a Yellowtail) and the other gun was my trusty 130cm Carbon Fiber Rabitech Apex that is so accurate you'd wonder if there was a homing device on the spear. The leopard grouper was shot in a cave 10ft deep with this gun.

And though there wasn't much fish this time around, it won't stop me from going back. Because it is that sometimes that has me loving the place.

Blog Kickoff

2008-06-30T14:39:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Sumora Dive Tools new blog Your South African Spearfishing connection! We have a lot of new products in and excited to bring you not only excellent spearfishing PRODUCTS, but stories and updates from our beautiful seas.

Our production has finally arrived. There are tons of new guns models that we did not carry before, including:

Hunter 75
Hunter 105
Hunter 115
Apex Tuna 120
Apex Tuna 130
Apex Tuna 140
Apex 3000 Brand New handle assembly
Hooks, Spears and Spanners book
Encounters with Sharks, Dolphins and Big Fish
Jaco Blignaut DVD
Dropheads for use on Sliptips
Pelaj extra heavy duty Rubber Marseilles Weightbelt
and much more....!