The Florida Skin Diving Association is proud to announce that this year's Southern Open "State Spearfishing and Underwater Photography Championship) will be held at Gators on the Passhttp://www.yagottagotogators.com in Treasure Island, FL. This venue is perfect for the State Championship Spearing and Photo Tournament. At the weigh-in and awards ceremony on June 22nd, they will be grilling hotdogs, burgers, grouper, brauts with plenty of waitresses delivering ice cold beverages. The giant covered tournament area with seating, shade and the cool ocean breeze is perfect for a tournement of the size and reputation.
We have some pretty cool changes this year and I wanted to highlight a few. First, there is a new category for beginner to intermediate spearfishermen and women. The "New Shooter" category is for those who have not yet had the good fortune of winning a trophy in any spearfishing tournament. The idea behind this New Shooter category is to give those with less experience a chance to win a really nice trophy.
Speaking of Trophies, the trophies for this tournement are really unique works of art. Pottery vases from Craftnica of Nicaragua are handcrafted with designs of beautiful underwater species. Each piece has a retail price tag of $300 and there are 14 of these limited edition trophies. I want to thank FSDA Rep. Ben "Fishkilla" Bateman for helping get these great trophies.
As an added bonus, all pre-registered participants get a collector long sleeve tournament sponsor shirt, so sign up early.
Last but certainly not least, ALL THE PROCEEDS FROM THIS EVENT GO TO PROTECT DIVERS RIGHTS.... So sign up, have a great weekend spearfishig, win some prizes, hopefully win a trophy, have fun and know that by participating in the 45th Southern Open State Championship that 100% of your entry fee is going right back out to support your rights to dive and spearfish.
To find out how to register for the tournement go to: www.divefsda.com The tournament poster and tournament link as well as the revised 2008 tournament rules will be on this FSDA website by May 16th

:smthumbup::woohoo:

Can we have bikini girls award the prizes? :D This place is going to be awesome!

I think that the "New Shooter" award is a great thing! The idea was actually an offshoot of a conversation that Gene Heidenreich and I had last year. This year's tournament committee developed it into this award......:smnotworthy:

Best possible venue. This venue and that of the SPO make all the difference in the world....Great job getting it done!!!!:beer::beer::beer:

:smthumbup::woohoo:

Can we have bikini girls award the prizes? :D This place is going to be awesome!



Sounds to me like the Bohica is going to need a few good men to manage this situation . . . :D

Best of luck with this year's tourney, guys.

Awesome, cant wait...

No "New Shooter" for me....HAHA!

I attended this past week FSDA meeting at Gator's and let me say that this year's tournament is going to kick ass having it at Gator's!! Pat Bennett with E-SeaRider's Beanbags helped us get a good "lay of the land" since he's attended many kingfish tournaments there, thanks Pat!

Only a few more weeks to wait for this awesome tournament, can't wait!!

IMO Gator's is one of the best tournament venue's avail. This will be one hell of a good time. Anybody have any hotel recomendations close?

We stayed at a cheap place the weekend before last, a travel inn or something like that. I guess we stole some towels or something, because there is a charge on my card, hmm.

Pat,

A little pricey but there is the Thunderbird and the Bilmar. There are also a couple real small Mom n Pops real close to the inlet on the southern side.

Ya'll can stay in my truck for $100 ea. a night. Sleeps 4. :eek: Unless you want to lay down or something. :D

Ya'll can stay in my truck for $100 ea. a night. Sleeps 4. :eek: Unless you want to lay down or something. :D

Can I sleep in the truck or the boat? I'm already looking forward to the tournament!

Can I sleep in the truck or the boat? I'm already looking forward to the tournament!

you can share my son's crib for 250 a night. as long as you don't mind the drool:)