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Welcome to the Noob Spearo Podcast!

The Freedive Spearfishing podcast

Join Shrek as he interviews spearfishing experts, authorities and characters from around the world.

Improve your spearfishing and share in the stoke!


Find out more at noobspearo.com the spearfishing blog and podcast

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Noob Spearo Podcast listeners are saying;

"This podcast has improved my diving dramatically. I binged listened to all the old episodes over a few weeks and I'm completely caught up now. I take notes on my phone to further research anything the guests or the hosts (Turbo and Shrek) talk about or suggest to do. Over the last 4 months I've gone from a 5 meter pot shot diver to a 12 meter+ diver with over 1:30 dive times and good fish to show for it. All thanks to the information these guys have put out in this podcast. Keep up the great work!" - Kurty

"This is the first podcast I've ever listened to, and I am averaging about 4 episodes a day since that first listen. These guys are awesome and so are there guests! Best motivation to do training! Only problem is I'll run out of episodes soon and have to wait a whole week for a new one..." Pete

"The amount of tip, ideas and laughs I've had from Shrek and Turbo and it has all improved my spearfishing 10 fold. Essential for any spearo, and highly recommend it, you won't regret it! Always hanging for the next episode! Keep it up boys! And while your at it get their book 99 tips to get better at spearfishing! Yew!!!" - Yupz

"Have been listening to Turbo and Shrek for a while now and those weirdos make me come back every time for more.... even though I'm located in Southern California. I guess I'm stoked to hear how people catch their fish all over the world!! Keep it coming boys." - Sebastian

"Guys, honestly, This podcast has been amazing fuel since my surf buddy and I started spearing just over three months ago on the southern california coast. We're pretty much just shore divers right now, but we've been hitting calico bass, yellowtail tuna, and sheepshead by just jumping off the beaches. We're starting to meet some people with boats so we're stoked. My pre-dive tradition is getting amped off a noob spearo podcast before I hop into the water after work. Keep them coming because I just finished listening to the 17th episode and I felt a little post partum depression coming on. I've learned loads from your show and need to keep soaking up the wisdom. Thanks!" - DippnDotts

"I recently got into spearfishing and couldn't believe my luck when I found this podcast after a random search. Not only are Shrek and Turbo incredibly funny and easy to listen too - but the way they have formatted the show is really engaging, informative and interesting. Hearing from Pros and veterans is invaluable to a newb like me and the information from these podcasts alone has made a world of difference to my diving and hunting. So if you're like me and your absolutely loving the sport and simply can't get enough info on and about spearfishing this is the podcast for you! Well done guys, you're keeping me well and truly stoked! sterling job!!" - Stu in Southern California

"Been an avid podcast listener for nearly a decade and this is my first review. This podcast is laid back, informative and absolutely essential for the new spearo. Great list of domestic and international guests. The most dangerous time for a spearo is in those first few months and It's good to know there is a easily accessible resource that I can point my mates to when they are starting out. Cheers shrek and turbo!" - CoxyADF

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Mar 14, 2018

Interview with John Pengelly

Find a comprehensive blog on all the facets of spearfishing here

Dual spearfishing world record holder John Pengelly joins us and shares the tales of these two special fish taken from the waters of French Polysnesia. On his second day in the Austral Islands John took the opportunity to shoot a 137 lb or 62.6 kg Wahoo that beat out the former record by more than 12lbs. As if the Wahoo wasn't enough John went out again and shot a 240 lb or 109 kg Dogtooth Tuna smashing the former 91kg, 200.4 lb model taken by former guest on the show Cameron Kirkconnell in Indonesia.  This interview is packed full of practical information and ideas to improve your spearfishing. Listen in!

Key takeaways for me from this interview

  1. Opportunity (good and bad) comes when you least expect it
  2. Body positioning for pelagics + shot placement is crucial (listen for further detail)
  3. Stay calm in tough situations by doing the best you can with what you've got + keep a good first aid kit
  4. Taking a world record. Using certified scales and taking the second shot with a speargun you loaded yourself
  5. Prepare your gear a week in advance of a big trip

 

As if this bloke wasn't cool enough with two impressive world record fish he then had to go and get himself a girlfriend that loves spearfishing as well (I'm glad she gave him some encouragement to come on the show:)Thanks for giving him a push Hilary!

Down to earth, relaxed and insightful. That was my impression of John after an hour chatting with him on this interview. Listen in for some awesome tips and insights from John Pengelly!

Episode Time Stamps

5:00 How John started spearfishing

7:00 First memorable fish and learning how to start regularly spearfishing Coral Trout. We have a good discussion about learning early hunting techniques

11:00 French Polynesia - a trip straight off the back of an (unsuccessful) trip to Norfolk Island. John was working at Ocean Hunter in New Zealand at the time when he was given the opportunity to head over and hunt with well regarded spearfishing Gerard Grave aka "G" in the Austral Islands G's French Polynesian backyard. This is one hell of a story about one hell of a trip. Two very special fish taken over several days.

38:00 What were your major struggles when you started spearfishing?

  • Inadequate information
  • Freediving and pushing breath-hold with mates

What helped with your spearfishing?

  • Freedive pool training, USFA safety video (link below), mentors and experienced spearos

41:00 What are your current spearfishing challenges?

45:00 What is your favorite spearfishing hunting technique and how do you apply it effectively?

  • Be relaxed and keep your body language calm. Slow movements
  • Take in your surroundings and get out of the 'seek and destroy' mentality
  • Learn fish body language. Watch and observe before pulling the trigger
  • Coral Trout - approach them from the top in free fall. Especially for the cagey big ones!
  • Adopt the attitude that going home empty handed is ok

50:00 What has been your toughest situation in the ocean? (we get 3!)

  1. A mate blacking out in Johns early days and timely rescue
  2. John's been attacked by a Bull Shark off Lamont Reef
  3. A mate falling 7 meters from a rock and landed on his head

66:00 Veterans Vault - Understanding the Oceans Cycles

  • Don't believe everything you hear
  • Keep a Dive Log
  • Develop your own forecasting methods
  • Learn to enjoy the whole spearfishing process

75:00 Whats the funniest moment you've had out spearfishing?

79:00 What is in your spearfishing divebag?

82:00 Spearo Q&A

  1. What is the single best piece of advice you've been given spearfishing?
  2. Who has been the most influential person in your spearfishing?
  3. During your 11 years spearfishing what is the biggest lesson you've learned?
  4. What does the spearfishing experience mean to you in one sentence?
  5. Who is the best person to go spearfishing with and why?

Mentioned in the show

Connect with John on Instagram here

As mentioned our Kickstarter campaign is live and more than 50% funded! Buy your fully illustrated copy of 99 Tips To Get Better At Spearfishing here

Noob Spearo Partners + some spearfishing discounts

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Sign Me Up Boys!