Norah Head was selected as the sign on venue and site for day 1 of competition. The Sealions were hoping for a good number to sign on, as all the boys involved had put a lot of work into the behind the scenes running of the comp. With around $6000 worth of prizes up for grabs we were all keen to put on a good show.

As the sign on started there was a lot of talk about the S.M.A.R.T. $400 biggest bream and the S.M.A.R.T. $200 biggest fish cash prizes. A few of the boys were keen to chase the biggest bream, while others were talking strategy and locations to swim to.

About 45 divers signed on and were eager to go. The conditions were pretty good with flat seas and vis around the 30 to 40 foot mark.

All the divers were called in for the official roll call and briefing. After the formalities were over and official time was called, it was game on! This saw the younger fitter divers running in all directions to hit the water first, while the other more "energetically challenged" divers casually strolled to the waters edge.

After four or so hours, divers started to find their way back to the weigh in area. Moans and groans could be heard coming from the steep sand dunes, as the short cut sounded good in theory but was bloody hard in reality.

All divers made it back on time with some puffing more than others. Everyone had bagged a few fish and it was good to see the usual friendly banter as the tubs and bags lined up waiting to be weighed in. the occasional call of "this could be the $400 bream!" followed by "No chance, I'll smash that tomorrow." And "I feed bigger bream than that to my cat!" accompanied with laughter.

Spearing fish, pizza and laughter was a great way to end the first day of competition.

Day 2 saw everybody turn up to Bateau Bay to sign on, with some divers a little more bleary eyed than others because of their nocturnal activities. The conditions were perfect with zero swell, light SW winds and 30 to 40 foot vis.

The start of the competition saw divers head in different directions keen to hit the water. Bateau produced some nice fish with a couple of Jew (biggest being 19kg), 9kg King and some stud bream.

As the weigh in commenced some divers were cunning and hid their bream under their other fish only to reveal them as their last fish to weigh in. Paul Manolias broke the day one bream weight and was in the running for the $400 until, one of the last divers to weigh in for the day was Justin Field and his bream tipped the scales at 1300g. He was stoked. Justin held the fish up above his head to the crowd like Zabu held up Simba to the crowd in the Lion King, to the cheers and jeers of the other divers.

 The presentation was held at Terrigal Country Club where all the prizes were laid out on display with the tables being an "A" prize table "B" and "C" tables. With the winner of the Sub Juniors getting first pick of the "A" table and second place "B" table etc. It was fantastic to see Rhys Elson winner of the Sub Juniors eyes light up like a kid in a lolly shop as he had first pick of the table. You could see him scanning all the prizes carefully, but his eyes could not go past the beautiful carbon fibre Beuchat gun. Congratulations Rhys. It was great to see all prize winners, especially the younger divers being stoked and impressed with the quality and the amount of prizes on offer in the 2008 NSW State Spearfishing Titles. This was only possible because of the generosity of the sponsors who donated all the great prizes.

In wrapping up we would like to thank all the divers who competed in the comp, especially the divers who travelled long distances to make it to the Central Coast. Thanks guys.

Cheers, Glenn Bath

Placings and Fish Prizes as follows,

Biggest Species