Australian Bluewater Freediving Classic
The Australian Bluewater Freediving Classic is a pelagic species only spearfishing competition, held annually in the northern New South Wales town of Woolgoolga, Australia. It was created by the founding president of the Coffs Harbour Bluewater Freedivers Club David Birch and his wife Gerry in 1995, assisted by promoter Arthur Manning of Woolongong, and with the help of many club members as a means of raising funds for Australian Champions to attend World Championship events. The event also aimed to raise the profile of spearfishing as a sustainable form of fishing by demonstrating how selective and difficult spearfishing is. The catch rate per diver per day was less than 1 fish per diver per day for the 6 hour, two day event. It has become an iconic part of Woolgoolga's identity, and all the fish caught are auctioned by local service groups such as Woolgoolga's Volunteer Marine Rescue and Lions Club to raise money for local service groups.
The first 1995 event attracted 75 divers from Australia, including seven spearfishers from the USA like Terry Maas and Gerald Lim, 6 New Zealanders, 5 New Caledonia, and Englands David Dodenhoff.
It was won by multiple Australian Champion Ian Puckeridge, who took home over $4000 in prizes - part of the highest ever prize pool in the sport totaling $15,000. Geoff Cookson from New Zealand was runner up, and Woolgoolga local Paul Morris was 3rd place. Senior division winners were Ian Puckeridge, runner up was local Paul Morris, and 3rd place went to Coffs Harbour's Glen Radford. Veterans division winners were Geoff Cookson, runner up was Kevin Walker, and 3rd place was Andy Ruddock. Masters division winners were Trevor George, runner up was Neville Price, and 3rd place was USA's Garry Thompson. Pairs winners were Rick Trippe and Paul Morris. Ladies winner was New Zealand's Jenni Edwards.
Dedicated club members behind the scenes that made such an event a resounding success include Brian Hackett, Glenys Davison, Peter Landini, Yvonne Wright, Christine Stewart, Heiki Nivala, along with the late Merv Sheehan, and Adrian Wayne, have contributed to its ongoing success.
In 1996, 104 competitors registered to compete for a record $18,000 in prizes, boosted in great part by the success of the first event. Divers including 4 Americans, a Swiss national, and a national Team from Italy, and New Zealand.
Open Champion Winner was Aussie Andy Ruddock, with Ian Puckeridge gaining 2nd Place, and Italy's Stefano Bellani gaining 3rd place. Ladies Champion was Donna Rainey, Veterans Champion was Andy Ruddock, Pairs Champions were Andy Ruddock and Rob Torelli. Largest fish caught by Andy Ruddock with a 20.9kg Spanish Mackeral.
In 1997, 77 divers competed including teams from Italy, England, USA, and South Africa. Open Champion was South Africa's Edward Hayman, with Tony Heugh placing 2nd, and Italy's Fabio Antonini placing 3rd. Senior Champion was Edward Hayman, 2nd was Chris Hogan, and 3rd place was NZ Darren Shields. Veterans Champion was Tony Heugh with runner up Fabio Antonini from Italy, and Aussie Ted Lougher 3rd place. Junior champion was Jonathan Fay from Queensland, with Jarod Erikkson runner up. Pairs champions were Coffs Harbour locals Peter Ward and Chris Hogan.
In 1998, 92 divers registered to compete, including a national Team from France and Italy, and divers from England, Spain, and the USA. French champion and competitor Olivier Bardoux won the 1998 event.
The Australian Bluewater Freediving Classic[edit]
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