Speaking on behalf of Armor Bags only, and understanding that this may apply specifically to sponsors that are manufacturers, and not other types of sponsors:

Please support your local dive shop.
Specifically, the dive shops that carry the sponsors line(s).

In addition to a love for the sport, we sponsor spearfishing tournaments to get exposure for the brand and thereby get you, the divers (who support the SPO sponsors) to go into your local dive shop and buy the product. If you don't support the brand beyond the prize table we all loose. Specifically I ask you to support your LOCAL dive shop which supports this tournament.

There is a fine line we walk between loading the tournament up with prizes, and giving away so much product that the shops loose sales. So please support your local dive shop and our (manufacturers collectively) brands.

Thank-you
Dave Carmichael (ArmorDave)

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Dave Carmichael

I was in the market for a new regulator about two months ago, I could have easily saved about 45% by shopping online. But then what concerned me is that I would not get the servicing that I can get by shopping locally, well as local as Tampa is to Spring Hill. It hurt at first, but glad that I used a local source, full warranty, and I have called him several times with just generic questions.

Definatly support the LDS.

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Nothing in the world is more dangerous than a sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.

Diving is a service intensive sport. The LDS is everything to the SPO and the Spucs work closely with them to develop the best prize table possible. Most dive shops will match internet pricing.

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www.freediveplanet.com
www.spearingvideos.com
www.KillShotMetalArt.com

Well said Dave. We at AO are sponsors for many tournaments and dive events and we enjoy giving back to those that keep our lights on! We know we aren't going to persuade a diver to leave their coveted LDS to come to my shop by simply giving hundreds of dollars of dive gear to a tournament prize table, but we know it keeps the events going and the social part of our sport alive.

For those who do come to and shop at AO we thank you very much for all your support and your business.

Capt. Bill

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Aquatic Obsessions Dive Shopwww.AOdive.com
Tampa Bay Spearfishing Club www.tampabayspearfishingclub.org
St. Pete Underwater Club www.stpeteopen.com

Just to be clear, this isn't a thread about LDS vs internet. That's another topic of discussion. My point is that it's the local (primarily west coast FL) shops that support the local tournaments; they, and the manufacturers make it possible for you to enjoy this event so I feel you should show your support to them when you spend you money.

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Dave Carmichael

Yep.!
I dont buy a ton of gear as my stuff last a good long time but I am in the market for a good everyday watch and I am going to get the REACTOR Fallout fullsize because it is just cool as hell.! I made a few calls and my local dealer happened to be Aquatic Obsessions so I called and talked to the nice lady and will be up asap to get my new watch. Thanks to ALL the sponsors.!

Dago.

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Take me to your wreck.!

Ditto above

ALWAYS worth the few extra bucks to get the personal service and great conversation. That is priceless!!!

While I understand the point you are driving Dave, I do believe Greg has a point. Don't buy online and spend your money with the LDS that supports the customer and the SPO. I am firm believer in supporting my LDS and certainly will try and help anyone that was involved in the SPO. If there are no LDS where are you going to get tank fills? Great post Dave!!

brandon scuba quest is right down the road from my house. they take good care of me and my equipment. i"ve never bought a piece of diving equipment online because of this reason.

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fishkillaproductions.com

The first place I look before I go to buy anything, even non-dive related stuff, is the shooter's book that every shooter gets at the St Pete Open. All the sponsors are there with contact numbers. No easier way to support the folks who support the best tournaments in the world.

We may throw away the phone books, but never these sponsor directories!

That's because your the two time champ of the "largest spearfishing tournament series in the world" and now hold the trophy that Bucket longs for every August.

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Still searching for that extra fish my neighbor always ask about

" I'M A JEDI MASTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" <<<<<<< FISHKILLA

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WWW.SPEARINGMAGAZINE.COM

Dave,
I want to thank you for all your support with our tournaments as well down in Key West. Prize tables aren't easy to put together either, keep in mind that LDS who made sure the table was full. It takes a reputation with the supplier to get these items and a lot of work.
Making a point to go to your LDS for all your needs will help to ensure that they will be there when you need them in the future and also keep the tournaments coming!

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Coconut Cup 2010 (July 30 - Aug 1st)
Hurricane Cup (September 24-26)

I get a HUGE discount at Brandon Scuba Quest just for being Fishkilla's dad!
But even when it costs a little more, they offer such great service that I save tons of stimulus money in the long run!

Along the same lines, I would like to say thanks to the handful of prize winners from this weekend that have sent me messages to ask where their prizes came from so they could sent thank you letters or make a simple phone call. I promise you it will make their day.

By the way, did anyone see who got the three aluminum fish I made? The awards ceremony is a blur.

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www.freediveplanet.com
www.spearingvideos.com
www.KillShotMetalArt.com

Another point people may want to recognize is the sheer growth in the amount of spearfishing tournaments and sponsorship opportunities. I can think of atleast 25 spearfishing tournaments off the top of my head. 5 years ago you would be hard pressed name only a handful. This example of growth, however exiciting and positive, has a direct bearing on the amount of products a sponsor may be able to donate to each event. This is especially true if they are considered a dedicated "spearing community sponsor"and try to support every tournament, raffle, FRA, fund, club, etc.

With this increased demand and dive industry sales low, there is now even more reason to support your LDS and embrace your "Spearing community sponsors"

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FLORIDA FREESHAFTER

www.e-searider.com/store
"Fish Hard-Ride E-Sea"

With this increased demand and dive industry sales low, there is now even more reason to support your LDS and embrace your "Spearing community sponsors"

I like this line from Pat's post.

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Dave Carmichael

Homie - Ritchie grabbed the Grouper for me, it is going out on the patio by the new pool, next to Bryan's stained glass hog, my mounted lobster, and my mounted fireback grouper.

Come to my fish fry (date undetermined) and you can see it in its glory.

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SPUC
1988 Mako 20 with Yamaha 200 HPDI

Counting the minutes until meltdown!