I was in the shop this past weekend (got blown out) and saw a notice that Sept 22-23 is a spearfishing competition.

No one in the shop knew anything about it though. Some guy said he'd send me info if he found it...

Anyone know anything about it?

Sounds interesting. Looks like there is a link on their website, but I cannot access it at work. Just google Discovery Diving Tournament and it should pop up.

BTW, I have yet to find a shop here in Raleigh. What are the good spear friendly, nitrox fill shops closest to Apex?

Yeah, most of the shops up here are fish-hugging spearophobes. But, they're all pretty good people. My favorite shop is probably Dave Ferrar's Gypsy Divers- and Dave himself spears a bit- even though they don't have any spear-gear. They have a full technical diving department (that does work for shops across the country) and has a good price on fills.

http://gypsydivers.com
http://www.airtechscubaservices.com/

As you suggested, I googled it and got this:

September the 27th and 28th

Encore Discovery Diving Annual Spearfishing Tournament

This spring's Spearfishing Tournament was a lot of fun. Chris Kimrey took first overall and first in Sheepshead and Damon Hoard took second place in Sheepshead. Last year we held the tournament in the fall of the year and a lot of people seemed to enjoy it so we are going to hold a second tournament this year in September. The fall spearfishing tournament will be held the last weekend of September the 27th and 28th.

The fee to participate in the only Mid-Atlantic Spearfishing competition of its kind is $20.00. There will be two classes this year, a SCUBA class and Freediver class. Winners will be chosen by the largest fish in the following categories: Sheepshead, Grouper, Flounder, Black Sea Bass, Cobia and Miscellaneous Edible Fish (excluding Sharks, Rays and Amber Jack). Additionally, a Total Poundage Prize will be awarded by determining one fish from each category to get the total weight for each person. Weigh-in must occur each day at the docks at Discovery Diving by 7pm daily. An awards ceremony and photo session will be held on Sunday after weigh-in time.

Prizes will include Trophies and merchandise for 1st place in each category and cash prizes for 1st - 3rd place in each category.

This years sponsors include A.B. Biller, Global, Trident and Voyager Spears

We encourage individuals and clubs, SCUBA divers, free-divers and snorkelers to register. It is our intent to promote education of the undersea environment with this event.

That google link says different dates than what I saw in the shop and in the calendar on their website- so that is probably an old link, but I'm pretty sure it is 22-23rd.

That's pretty close to my office. I'll check 'em out. Thanks.