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Finding a spearfishing course for beginners can be particularly challenging. There are not many courses around, and it is very hard to find any information online. In this article, we hope to fill the information gap and let you know about a very fun, affordable, and engaging spearfishing course which is suitable for complete beginners.
The spearfishing course is based in Moalboal, Cebu. You can do a one or two-day course, and generally speaking, you will get one-to-one tuition. The instructor is very knowledgeable and professional and trains you on safety, theory, and practical techniques. You will also spend several hours in the water practicing your techniques. So, if you are interested in taking a spearfishing course in Cebu, then keep reading.
NEED TO READ ARTICLE – Also don’t miss the FULL GUIDE – Freediving in Cebu
Types of Spearfishing
Broadly speaking, there are two main types of spearfishing: underwater spearfishing and surface-based spearfishing. Underwater spearfishing relies on freediving (swimming underwater on a single breath hold) and using an elastic-powered spearfishing gun. Surface techniques are generally carried out from a boat or from a pier. Surface techniques are notoriously challenging due to the refraction of light at the surface of the water. Underwater techniques are challenging because you need to hold your breath for a long time. In fact, there is a big overlap between underwater spearfishing and freediving. In this article, we’re going to focus on an underwater spearfishing course.
LEARN TO FREEDIVE? – Find out about The BEST Freediving School in Cebu
How Do You Arrange a Spearfishing Course in Cebu
If you’re wanting to do a spearfishing course in Cebu, then you will need to arrange it with Moalboal Freediving. They are located in the Panagsama Beach area, next to Tipolo Beach Resort. They do not have a lot of online presence, so you may find it difficult to get information beyond this article.
If you want to learn spearfishing, we recommend the 2-day course for beginners. Two days and two open-water sessions cost 3,000 pesos (this is around £40 or $50).
If you have any questions about the course or you want to pre-book your session, then you can email John at redoblejohnwardel@gmail.com
Spearfishing in Cebu: What to Expect
If you take the beginners’ spearfishing course, it is generally held on two separate days.
You will normally start with a theory session and some dry land practice. This may be followed by some open water practice. They prefer to start courses early in the morning, around 6:00 a.m., for the best conditions. However, there is some flexibility on the start time.
1-2 Dry Land Theory Sessions (1-2 hours)
2 Open Water Sessions (2-4 hours)
The introductory spearfishing course in Cebu (with Moalboal Freediving) teaches you all of the basics of spearfishing. This includes:
- Fundamental safety and techniques
- Different types of spearfishing guns
- Parts of a spearfishing gun
- Clothing and other equipment
- Controlling buoyancy, body position, and movement in the water
- Adopting a safe firing position
- Range and aim
- Freediving techniques (including relaxation and surface intervals)
- How to fish with a buddy, including communication and safety
- How to recover the shaft (spear), including what you do if the spear gets trapped in the reef
- How to safely reload your gun in the water
- Observing the environment and fish calling
- Dry land practice sessions
- Open water practice sessions
The introductory spearfishing course is one-to-one, which means that you can progress at your own pace and the sessions can be personalized to your own skills, knowledge, and needs.
Do You Need Any Prior Qualifications or Experience?
You do not need to have any prior experience or qualifications; however, we do recommend a reasonable amount of confidence in the water. A beginner level of freediving helps a lot (for example, an AIDA Level 1 course), although this is not essential. The spearfishing is generally carried out off the edge of the reef wall in the Panagsama Beach area, where the water depth generally varies between 2m-6m. Swimming at these depths does require some light equalization. Pinching your nose and blowing gently is normally fine. John (the spearfishing instructor) is very experienced, and he can show you how to equalize.
If you are able to hold your breath between 1 and 2 minutes, this should be sufficient for the course.
What Things Do You Need for the Course
If you do an introduction to spearfishing course with Moalboal Freediving, they can provide almost all of your equipment, including snorkel, mask, fins, and weight belt. They will also provide your spearfishing gun. However, they do not rent wetsuits, so if you require a wetsuit, you will need to bring your own (remember, a wetsuit can increase your buoyancy, which can make freediving more challenging). If you do not have a wetsuit, you could use a rash guard.
Generally speaking, you do not need a wetsuit because the water is relatively warm in Cebu; however, on cloudy days or during rainy conditions, it can get a little cold after an hour in the water.
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