How Long Do Spearos Really Hold Their Breath?

If you’ve just jumped into spearfishing, you’ve probably Googled: “How long do spearos hold their breath?” We’ve teamed up with Noob Spearo (aka Shrek) to break it down simply: it’s not the right way to measure yourself as a spearo.

Why Breath‑Hold Isn’t Everything

Spearfishing is about finding fish and making clean shots, not chasing breath‑hold records. If holding your breath is your main goal, that’s what freediving is for. In spearfishing, the reality is simple: most fish are shot in less than a minute. You don’t need a monster static to put dinner on the table.

How Can Spearos Actually Improve

• Join a local club. From the Coral Sea to the South Coast, diving with experienced mates will level you up fast.

• Do a freediving course with spearo‑minded instructors. Learn to relax, move efficiently, and dive smarter, not just longer.

• Enjoy where you’re at. Breath‑hold changes day to day. Don’t stress the seconds. Focus on safe dives, good technique, and steady progress.

Takeaway

Your breath‑hold doesn’t define you. What matters is time in the water, reading the conditions, and making ethical shots. Stop counting seconds and start chasing fish safely.