2013 Couldwell Cup Spearfishing Challenge

All those that knew Greg Couldwell will attest to his passion and deep affinity with the underwater world. Greg’s spearfishing mates will tell you he was the sort of bloke that would do anything for you and that his enthusiasm for spearfishing was contagious. Tragically, Greg passed while spearfishing off Moreton Island in May 2012.

Greg had always toyed with the idea of getting a major spearfishing competition off the ground in South East Queensland. Greg took inspiration from the ethos of other major Australian competitions. The Couldwell Cup encompasses Greg’s ideas about what he envisioned in a great spearing comp.

The competition places a great emphasis on safe, sustainable and selective spearfishing. The scoresheet and pairs format is designed to limit the take while still ensuring an interesting (and delicious) mix of species.

One major step that sets this competition apart is the ‘pairs format’.

In recent years there has been a ‘pairs format’ event during one day of the Australian Titles and Queensland Titles - but that is in the context of a generally ‘individual’ type competition. There is no other major competition in Australia that has wholly embraced the pairs format – until now.

The pairs format enforces ‘buddy diving’ and the winning pair share the glory together. The Couldwell Cup is in line with the trends in other countries, such as New Zealand, where all major competitions, including the Nationals, are held as a pairs event.

Experienced comp divers will tell you it can sometimes get lonely swimming around the ocean for up to 6 hours by yourself under an ‘individual’ format style comp. However, those familiar with a pairs format will say diving with a buddy and working together with your mate to land fish as a team is FUN!

A pairs format also halves the usual fish take during a comp.

The competition area is within the Moreton Bay Marine Park. This area is a ‘melting pot’ for both tropical and temperate species and has a great diversity of marine life.

The marine life in this reserve is precious to all. To this end we must all ensure that everything is done to preserve it for future generations; hence the selective species list and pairs format.

The timing of the event during May is not only designed to mark Greg’s passing but also take advantage of the fact the conditions in Brisbane are prime at this time of year. Winds are usually favourable, the water temperature is typically 20-24 degrees (so a 3mm wetsuit should suffice) and the visibility ranges from 10 to 30 metres.

Please join us for a fantastic weekend of safe, sustainable and selective spearfishing competition.