I just wanted to say that this years St. Pete Open was another successful tournament. There is no doubt that the "World Spearfishing Championships" is the biggest show in spearfishing. As a past SPUC President, I know how hard and draining running this big event can be on a body and soul.

Howie Scarboro did a fantastic job!!! He worked on this for almost his whole year as President and he never faultered. When he needed help he asked most of his friends and most came through. Dean Palmer and all his behind the scene work on the website and the printing was critical to the tournament's success. The weigh in guys, the Smurfs, Rich T. Paul K., Frank, Sasha and the rest made the weigh-in fun. They had it running as smooth as any tournament I've ever seen. Denny O'hern's MC work and always there to help attitude was a big asset to the tournament. There are way too many more of Howies fellow SPUC brothers to thank for stepping up when asked, but I know Howie will always be grateful for those who put forth to help a brother out!

Lastly, the wives, girl friends and daughters of the many SPUC members were the glue that put it all together. Their organization and energy always amazes me. These handful of women sell shirts, register participants, work the weigh-in, clean up, take photos, make up the slide show (until 5am) and still manage to take care of their men and thier children during the three day event. Thanks ladies!

If you missed this year's tournament, we hope to see you next year for the greatest spearfishing show on earth!

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Tampa Bay Spearfishing Club www.tampabayspearfishingclub.org
St. Pete Underwater Club www.stpeteopen.com

Well said Bill!
Few people will ever realize what it takes to put on an event like the "Open".
The Underwater Club starts preparing for each new tournament about one week after the previous tournament is over in fact.
We will talk about what went right and how we can improve things at next weeks meeting.

I think a few of the reasons this event is so succesful is because of the preperation and hard work, the generosity of the sponsors and supporters and the fact that nearly 100 percent of the prizes and money raised goes right back into the tournament and the spearfishing community!

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The SPO is THE social event of the year. GREAT JOB SPUCS!

Well said!

The St Pete Open continues to set the bar for Florida spearfishing tournaments, awesome trophies and incredible prize table. Thanks to Howie and the Spucs for another great SPO, I feel for the guy that has to do next years, bar was reset this year for sure.

That was the sickest prize table of any tournament. Great job in this thriving economy. Definitely the best social event in spearing.

Congratulations to Howie and all the SPUCs on another great St. Pete Open! I dragged two friends over from Boca to shoot their first tournament ever. They had a great time and can't wait to come back again.

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What a great tournament. Thanks to all the SPUC members for their effort and also all the great sponsors. The prizes were awesome. Denny was great and it was good to meet some people.

Also having the people who were registered but were unable to weigh in something, grab prizes was very classy. Thats what brings people back.

Thanks for yet another Great SPO. Great thanks to Chris for finding me a ride last minute. Special Thank You to Teresa from Jim's Dive Shop
For The Ride. Great People Great time. Ty's got a killer ride. 4-6 all day.
But it pretty much plowed through it all day, At least 100 SF of deck space & that was just in the Stern. Still another double that forward.
Good Times........

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http://www.spearingmagazine.com/

best tournament of the year!

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fishkillaproductions.com

My first SPO. I had a great time!

Extremely well run. A huge thanks to all of the organizers.

And to all of the sponsors - Damn! You are an extremely generous bunch!

Im kicking myself today...Stayed out till 4am partaking in cool beverages...Overslept and didnt make it to the prize table...Im such an idiot

Who won the Deathstick?

Thanks for all your hard work Howie & everyone behind the scenes that worked so hard . Really appreaciate all the help you gave me Friday night with getting Nailman & Jerry1000 set up.

Unbelievable prize table when people past 100th pick are still grabbing $100+ prizes .

Thank You to all the sponsors that help make the tournament what it is.

This tournament has it down to a science. Howie countinued the tradition with another top notch result. Thanks to all the SPUCS for setting the bar even higher. We will be back next year for sure.

can some one post results as they did last year pleaaasssseeeee

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I have never been to one of these tournaments before and after finally going to this one, I will now be attending and participating as often as I can. For anyone who truly enjoys diving and spearfishing this is a must event I was impressed with everything I saw. Great job SPUC!!!

Sounds like a great time...hopefully next years schedule will put me there!

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great tourny. didn't stay to see you weigh your fish bill. congrats.

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http://www.spearfishingspuc.org/StPeteOpen.html

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Ben with more glass. 2009 is the year of the Bateman. Your having a hell of a year Ben. congrats.

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