The 2003 State Freedive Championship was a spectacular success.  33 outstanding divers on 11 teams participated, which is a 30% increase over last year.  Not only are these divers among Florida's finest competitors, they are also great people and we enjoyed their presence. The weather and diving conditions were excellent, and the competition was fierce, but friendly. The Deep Impact team, Miguel Guinovar, Nivio Diaz, and Rafael Gonzalez from Miami, took top honors with a massive score of 286.4 points. Trust me, I was there, and the fish they turned in were spectacular. Miguel was Diver of the Day for the third year in a row, and won a trophy for largest snapper (4.4 lbs). Nivio earned a trophy for second overall. Miguel was also awarded a nice AB Biller Teak speargun for his accomplishment. The team even grabbed a lot of attention with their boat. It had 3 large outboard motors, boasted the wildest paint job that Bayport has ever seen, and it was an absolute missile. You need to have something quick to get to the depths these guys freedive.

The runner-up Red Tide team, which included Richie Zacker, G.R. Tarr, and Chris Gardinal, almost kept the state title on the west coast with their score of 263.5, a close second overall.........and they felt they had a bad day! Richie also earned a third place overall trophy with his 93.7 points, and G.R. was right on his heels with 91.7 points. 76 years young Ray Odor was their boat captain and put them on the fish. Ray is one of the founders of the WCC, and once represented FSDA at the Freedive Nationals. Close behind them was FSDA team #1, comprised of 1981 National Champ Gary Zumwalt, Sam Carlino Jr., and Charlie Moore. Their 248.3 points was also only a few fish shy of the winners. Gary Zumwalt also trophied for his largest Sheepshead at 6.3 lbs and largest triggerfish at 2.8 lbs and Sam Carlino won largest Hogfish with a 4.4 pounder.  Perennial Freedive Champion Jim Zumwalt was the boat captain of this team. Jim was Ray’s cofounder of WCC, and both of the men have been Norm Wyman award winners.

Team Pesca Sub, made up of Jose Santiero, Chad Palan, and Ciro Leonard scored fourth overall with 218.2 points. All three are well known freedivers from the east coast and National Competitors. You may remember that Jose won first place snapper in the St. Pete Open last year with an 18.1 lb Mutton.............taken while feediving. Jose’s 20 fish and 87.1 points placed him 6th overall. Another team that attracted lots of attention was Team Zeagle, manned by local charter captain Ed Walker, Chad Carney,...............and a woman! Not just any woman, a very attractive woman, Sheri Daye. Sheri broke a lot of talented spearfishermen’s hearts when she turned in a more fish than they did! Believe me guys, don’t be ashamed to get beat by Sheri, you will be in good company. As a matter of fact, another great gal, Elizabeth Karcher, competed in the tournament, which sets a record that we hope is broken again next year.

The Spearfishing Magazine team of Paul Jones, Rich Taylor, and Walt McCann was only 8.6 points out of 5th. Paul also won a trophy for his largest grouper at 17.5 pounds.

We want to thank David and Debbie Shelton for their hard work to organize the tournament. The trophies were awesome. Also, thanks to Art Pearson of the Seals and Brynn Howie of the Bunnies for the cookout during the weighin. And we can’t forget the 11 divers who served as observers. All did a great Job and are appreciated. You just can’t top a day like this. Great weather and diving, awesome fish, tough competition, and most importantly some terrific people! We can’t wait to do this again next year.