Competitor Bios

TEAM HAWAII

My name is Donell Watson (pictured right) and I am from Kailua Kona Hawaii. I started to spearfish competitively in 2017 with my boyfriend Calvin (pictured left). My passion for the ocean started at a young age fishing, spearfishing and surfing. I am beyond thrilled to be representing not only the USA but also my home state Hawaii in this world competition. I would like to thank Cal for helping me with everything spearfishing, my #1 supporters my Kids (Aidan and kortney) and a Huge Mahalo to my friends, family and local supporters back home.

Aloha my name is Calvin lai from Kona Hawaii. I am born and raised on the islands and been spear fishing since I was 7 years old. I Learned how to spearfish by my grampa. Spear fishing is my therapy and it’s been a way of life for me to bring food to the table. As I got older, I enjoyed diving in competitions and it was a way to meet new people and travel the world.I can’t believe where it has lead me today I can’t see myself doing anything else. I love the sport and been competing since 1997. I’m so great full to have my girlfriend Donell on my team this year in the world championships. To all the competitors dive safe and have fun. Thanks to my sponsors….rob Allen, miester spear fishing gear. Hawaii fishing news. Sea horse. Sportube. Yamaha.

Ilie Bologan – Team Republic of Moldova

Has been diving for over 40 years. He has numerous memorable catches including a 32kg carp, 8kg walleye, a catfish over 100kg & 2.15m long, difficult catch was a 60kg catfish where he had to put his hand in its mouth as it was rolling around so much and difficult to subdue.
He has dived all through Europe, USA, Australia, Fiji, NZ, Guam, Russia, Ukraine

TEAM ITALY!

 

USA Women’s Team #1

Anne Doherty and Brandi Easter

Rocky Mountain Catfish Cazadoras

Anne began spearfishing in Rhode Island in 1995, and she began competing nationally in 1998. Brandi and Anne competed on the Women’s team in the 2004 World Championships in Iquique, Chile.  She has competed in international meets in Norway and Mexico, as well as all local meets. She worked and dove as crew on a sea urchin boat in California, where the sunsets are endless, the water is clear and the ocean is beautiful.  Despite the lure of clear water, she loves the Rhode Island dirty water, and dives there every weekend seven months a year. You just never know when a monster striped bass might just pass by in front of you…such a thrill!  The magic of the ocean draws many adventurous and lovely people to it.

Brandi will be traveling from Northern California to participate in the 2nd Freshwater World Spearfishing Championship. She has been spearfishing – dinner to competition – for over 20 years locally and abroad. She has participated in numerous Central California Council of Dive Club and local spearfishing tournaments, USA National competitions, a World Cup in Mexico, several ‘Diving for A Cause trips’ and along with Anne, was on the first Women’s Team USA in Iquique, Chile 2004.  Throughout, she has strived to be positive role model for women in all aspects of the sport – sportsmanship, safety, advocacy, stewardship, appreciation, fun and more – and hopes to inspire more women to enjoy the adventures and wonderment that only freediving and spearfishing holds. She is honored to dive with Anne and represent the USA again.

Brandi and Anne are excited to finally be going to New Zealand, and are looking forward to meeting everyone, and having a blast!  Good luck and safe diving!

Ryan Peterson has been spearfishing for 7 years. He currently holds two IUSA world records. He is the president of a spearfishing group called Fresh Water Fish Slayers in Utah. His group encourages safe, fun, and lawful diving and is open to anyone. He is competing with his dive partner and wife of 4 years Shelby Peterson. Together they won 2nd place as a mixed team in the 2017 Freshwater Nationals in Nebraska and won 1st place in the 2018  Freshwater Nationals in Utah. They also placed 3rd as a mixed team at thefirst World Freshwater Spearfishing Championship in Las Vegas, NV in 2017z. Ryan is passionate about spearfishing and is always ready to get in the water and slay some fish

Shelby Peterson 
Women’s spearfishing champion & world record holder

Shelby Peterson has been spearfishing for  5 years. She currently holds 3 IUSA women’s world records. She dives with Ryan Peterson her dive partner and husband of 4 years. Together they won 2nd place as a mixed team in the 2017 Freshwater Nationals in Nebraska and won 1st place in the 2018  Freshwater Nationals in Utah. They also placed 3rd as a mixed team at the first World Freshwater Spearfishing Championship in Las Vegas, NV in 2017. She individually won 1st place woman at both 2017 and 2018 National tournaments as well as taking 3rd place woman in the world’s tournament in Las Vegas, NV. She is so excited to be a participant in the 2019 Worlds tournament, and hopes to make a name for herself among woman divers.

USA Womans Team

Kathy Cosby: USA

I have been spearfishing the North Coast of California for almost 5 years.  I worked in Wellington years ago, and have hoped since then for an opportunity to return to New Zealand.  Really looking forward to getting to know Lake Taupo, and getting to know competitors from around the world. I don’t have a lot of freshwater dive experience, but the North Coast of CA has been an amazing teacher when it comes to determination and stamina. Savanah and I will represent our country with pride and bring our best to the comp. See you all in the water soon!

SAVANAH McGUIRE

I was born and raised in Colorado into a diving family.

I have been very lucky to be some great events with some great divers.

I have been spearfishing for 6+ years, but doing competition only for about 4 years.

I enjoy our fun regional events and have taken a 3rd in Nationals mixed doubles and first team for the women’s division

in the first WFSC in lake Mead 2017

I also hold the woman world Record for largest Northern Pike at 16.6 pounds

Kathy and I look forward to meeting everyone from around the world and doing our best for the USA

Safe diving for all

When Paul Verveniotis is not working on the water in San Francisco Bay, he is shooting fish and game above, on, and below the surface.

He hears that catfish tacos are particularly tasty.

Paul is looking forward to seeing his colleagues and representing USA!

“Matt Lum lives in Santa Barbara, California. He enjoys surfing, freediving, fly-fishing and eating pizza. Matt knows a lot of really, really good spearfishermen.”

Mike Ban and Matthew Diechsel, both from Colorado, have enjoyed the sport of spearfishing for many years.  Mike has been competing for 15 years, generally earning one of the top three spots, and he has three US Freshwater National titles under his belt.  Matthew has been spearfishing for 12 years and has also competed in numerous freshwater tournaments throughout the United States.  His accolades include placing in the top three as an individual and team for US Freshwater Nationals as well as many other tournaments over the years. Both competitors have shattered several IUSA records for freshwater fish species and relish their time spearfishing outside of competitions.

Outside of spearfishing, Mike’s other passion is bow hunting big and small wild game (including exotic animals) all over the world.  One of his favorite hunts consisted of jumping on a wild hog and killing it with a knife.

Matthew truly loves the water and enjoys traveling around the world to chase after trophy fish species.  He also likes playing sports such as indoor and futsal soccer, underwater hockey, and obstacle course races such as the Ultra Beast Spartan.  Matthew’s friends often refer to him as the “Deaf Merman or Silent Sniper”.

Spencer Vivian – Team USA

I was born and raised in Colorado as an avid hunter and fisherman. While I was in college, I was fortunate enough to meet Mike Mcguire who threw me into diving and eventually competitive spearfishing. Since my first spearfishing tournament I have developed a passion for the sport. I look forward to furthering my knowledge and abilities as I compete for many years to come.

Gary Crawford – Team Australia

Hi everyone, I starting competition spearfishing at 16 and since then I’ve been fortunate enough to dive most of the states in Australia, the Coral Sea, New Zealand and Mexico as well as having a very supportive wife and 3 wonderful children. After the 2017 Freshwater Championships the Australian team came home saying how great it was so I knew I had to be part of the 2019 event. This will be my first Freshwater Championships and I’m really keen especially being partnered with Andrew (Andy) Ruddock. I love the competition and the comradery it brings so I’m hoping to make new friends and welcome them for the Interpacific Championships in Australia.

Graham Carlisle – Team Australia

I have been snorkelling since the age of 7 and breath hold spearfishing competitively since 1993. Originally from South Africa, but now living in Western Australia, I have made it my goal to travel and spearfish in as many destinations as I can and compete where possible I thoroughly enjoy the mateship of the fraternity and the atmosphere at all types of competitions. I’ve been lucky enough to have represented both South Africa and Australia in State and National Teams. This will be my second freshwater competition, which I am really looking forward to.  I’m also passionate about promoting and supporting the development of our sport by playing an active role in the Australian Underwater Federation at both a State and National level.

Monique Kehaunani Genereux – TEAM GUAM

I am from the beautiful Island of Guam. I am 38 years old and I have been spearfishing since I was 13. This will be my second Fresh water competition and I have also had the amazing opportunity to compete in the inter Pacific division against some of the best spearos in the world. I am blessed to have been able to go to all the places I have and to have met some of the most amazing people, all while doing one of the things I love the most. I look forward to meeting everyone and of course going back to NZ, one of my favorite places in the world!

Carmela Tyquiengco – Team Guam

Raised in Guam I was always around the water. I grew up in a family of spearfishing humans! I just started and can’t wait to do more of it!

TEAM NZ!!

Hi, I’m Rowan Virbickas

Griffin Shields – Mixed Team

I started diving around the age of 5. Have competed in a few competitions nationally and internationally, including previous fresh water worlds held in Arkansas Beaver Lake. Won a couple catfish cull junior titles.

Micah Madsen (left) & Kolt Johnson (right) – Men’s Team

Micah: Spearfishing History/how long/comp history: Born and raised in Auckland, have been spearfishing since 14 years of age. First time representing NZ at an international event and looking forward to the challenge of competing against some great divers.

Hi, I’m Kolt Johnson. I’m a two-time winner and two-time runner up of the Lake Taupo Catfish Cull (looking at you Pat…). I’m excited to bring that experience to the team. When it comes to the sea, my goal for a day on the water is to enjoy the incredible NZ marine environment and bring home a mixed bag of kai moana.

Michelle Witte & Brad Lang: – Mixed Team

Michelle: Since moving to the Bay of Plenty 4 years ago and living close to the sea I was introduced to spearfishing and freediving by friends and have loved it ever since. Over the last 2 years I have focused a lot of my time in becoming better at spearfishing and my involvement with the spearfishing community in Tauranga.  I am now an ambassador for WildBlueNZ and was one of the five who took part in creating an established Spearfishing club ‘Sons of Tangaroa’. New to competitions.  

Brad Lang: I grew up in and on the water mainly fishing while my father was diving, started out tank diving for crays at 12 years old and had my first taste of spearfishing at 16, really got into spearfishing at 21 and havnt stoped since, i dive for my own satisfaction and the challenges that go along with freediving/spearfishing is what i really thrive on, the only previous competition i have done is the taupo catfish cull and have done that 5 years running

Jennifer Troup & Rochele Potter: – Women’s Team 

Jennifer: 10 years, NZ, Australia, Pacific islands, Bahamas.

Hayley Robertson & Chris Hilleard  – Mixed Team

Barry Waring – Team NZ

Spearfishing History/how long/comp history: 35 years, 1987 & 1988 Junior nationals champion

Pipi Quinlan – Juniors

Pipi is 13 and is proudly one of NZ’s 3G competitors this year with a massive genetic advantage due to her superior genes. Her father is her hero of course, and she wants to be as good as him one day. But she will have to train with a pole spear more often to do that and learn to tell funny jokes. Pipi knows how to smash catfish and she is going to prove it.

Hamish Mace – Juniors Team

I have competed in the catfish cull for 3 years, I’ve dived for 3 years and addicted to it.

Michaela James & Ben Jeffares – Over 50s Team 

Michaela: I’m a (very) latecomer to spearfishing and I’m excited to be meeting people from all around the world who have so much wonderful experience in the sport.

In 2017 I joined Lazy Seal freediving club and that opened the door to a whole world of underwater activity. It lead to joining Ghost Fishing NZ as part of the freediving clean up crew. It also lead to a spot of mermaiding, but that’s another story.

I’ve done 3 catfish culls now and had a great time each time. It’s such an inclusive activity anyone can do (not necessarily well, but that doesn’t matter).

See you all at Taupo. I hope you have a great holiday and get rid of a lot of those pesky catfish for us!

Ben Jeffares : I am not a spearfisher, but I am an active member of the Lazy Seal Freediving Club, and the Freediving New Zealand community, as a judge, and administrator at the national level. My involvement in the Catfish Cull over the years has been because its a great social event: t brings together the freediving and spearfishing communities from around the country, and allows parents to team up with their kids, mates to go out for a long swim, and beginners and slow old folk like me to compete alongside highly competitive young guns. There is also the added bonus that we are helping to keep an introduced pest species under control. So I have been doing the Catfish Cull for a few years now, getting my eye in. For the last couple of years its been a bit tougher, but patience and persistence seem to be paying off

Gemma Shields (left) & Alex Edwards – Womens Team 

Gemma: I’ve been spearfishing for around 20 years now. I am a 2 x New Zealand women’s champion & have represented NZ in numerous overseas competitions in New Caledonia, Tahiti, Australia & the USA. This will be my 3rd freshwater comp, I placed first in the individual women’s at Lake Mead in 2017 so look forward to defending my title with my SUPERDIVER partner Alex!

Alex: I started spearfishing at the age of 12, so have been doing it for 5 years. I am the current NZ women’s spearfishing champion. My first time representing New Zealand was at the age of 14 at the interpacifics, and I have been doing so since.

Nat Davey (left) & Moss Burmester – Mens Team 

Hi my name is Nat Davey I’ve been spearfishing for 7 years now but have been diving most of my life. I’m lucky with my work I have been able to dedicate a lot of time to my spearfishing passion. Some of my  spearfishing high lights have been, I have shot 8 World Record fish and a number of National records. I was the first New Zealander to shoot a Yellowfin Tuna over 100kg. I have won 2 spearfishing competitions here in nz.

 I look forward to meeting and competing against some great divers in this competition.

Moss: Been spearfishing since age 12 (ish), 25 years. Still reasonably new to the competition side having competed for around 4 years, consistently placing top 10 at NZ Nationals and have won or often placed in 2nd tier regional comps. Landed NZs first and only Black Marlin (163.4kg) spearfishing.

Former 2x Olympic swimmer, Commonwealth Gold & Bronze medalist and World Champion. Former NZ Surf lifesaving representative and World medalist. Former NZ Underwater Hockey representative. Placed 2nd in age group at the recent Coast to Coast World Multisport Champs.

Luca Waring – Spearfishing History/how long/comp history: 5 years

Darren Shields (left) & Ian Warnock – Over 50s Team 

Darren: I have been diving for 49 years. My first dive was in Matai Bay in the far north of NZ at the age of 5 years old. I grew up in Whitianga where the bug really got me and I went on to win 6 National Titles, multiple regional events and represent NZ at  9 Inter Pacific’s, 3 Worlds and assistant manage several teams.

Jordy Wilson (left) & Reid Quinlan- Mens Team

Jordy: I started freediving from a young age and managed to get my first scallop at the age of 9. When I was 12 I got my first speargun and all I wanted to do was to chase butterfish around the shallows. I have been extremely lucky to dive with some of the most knowledgeable and experienced spearfishermen in New Zealand and have learnt so much from them.