NZSFADV Review

New Zealand Spearfishing Adventures Vol 1

Reviewed by Jack Monkiewicz as printed in the International Freediver magazine issue 55

"As an avid collector of spearfishing DVDs I was excited to hear that Wild Blue had produced a new DVD featuring some of New Zealand’s prime locations and species.
New Zealand Spearfishing Adventures is produced a little differently to to most mainstream spearfishing DVDs. In a some what fresh style the producers have incorporated a combination of instructional divisions, comedic antics, and local diver profiles and as a result have developed what I would consider a unique product in the market.
The instructional portions of the DVD were highly entertaining demonstrating local divers doing what they do best, snooping large snapper in the shallows, identifying camouflaged john dory amongst the weedy terrain, targeting the brute kingfish that rule the New Zealand coastline and also demonstrating the specialized techniques involved when hunting ginat boarfish and tarakihi along the weedline.
As an added bonus, Steve Crabtree (4 times New Zealand spearfishing champion) and dive partner Gary Conway guide the viewer through a step by step process to New Zealand spearfishing competition format. Steve shares some of the methods and techniques that have been working for him over the years and without a doubt makes for some exciting footage.
As mentioned previously New Zealand Spearfishing Adventures has a fresh style, this is particularly noticeable during some of the light-hearted antics of the crew sharing with the viewer what they do if the fish are a little tricky to find on any given day. It was great to watch the guys not take themselves too seriously and just enjoy being out there searching for their humble supper.
It could be said that Wild Blue has created a product that is just as much about people as it is about fish. During the DVD the viewer gets to meet a number of different spearfishermen who all have their own distinct styles and modes for success. Each individual shares through the commentary how they apply themselves and what they particularly enjoy doing. As a result the incorporation of different divers and terrain allows for great instruction and some funny comments.
If you enjoy the thought of shadowing a diver while he stalks large snapper, tracking john dory on the weed bed, working the weedline for boarfish and tarakihi and crawling through tight crevices to reach crayfish then New Zealand Spearfishing Adventures is a DVD you should consider.
As a final note I believe that Wild Blue have potentially developed a tool for travelling spearfishermen visiting New Zealand. It gives the viewer a broad spectrum of the diving available, rockhopping, boat diving and competition spearfishing. It really gave me an idea of what I may expect. Occasionally the visibility wasn’t perfect, that is reality, and the boys still track down some impressive captures. Looking forward to volume two." Jack Monkiewicz