We typically get together on the first Wednesday of every month to share stories and catch up. Our meetings are usually announced here or on our Instagram feed. Follow us on Instagram or subscribe to email updates to stay in-the-know about what the club is up to.
19th Annual Tournament
Sign up for our 2026 Annual Spearfishing Tournament! Weigh-in will be at Leadbetter Beach in Santa Barbara on August 29th, 2026 at 5pm. Come out early and enjoy some fun stories in the sunshine. We hope you can make it!
Meetings & Events
- August Club Meeting: Hunting Yellowtail
Learn how to hunt Southern California yellowtail with special guest speakers Raf Colasante and Cory Spieler at our August SB Freedivers Club Meeting. Join us at Third Window Brewing Co. on August 5 from 6:30–9:00 PM.
SB Freediver Club Competitions
We’re looking for competitors, not kooks!
Join our seasonal club contests focused on ethical harvest, community, and putting good food on the table. Entries open to members now.
Latest News
- Carpinteria MPA Proposal: What Divers Need to Know + How to Participate
Overview / Why This Matters There is an ongoing discussion regarding a proposed marine conservation area along the Carpinteria coastline, often referred to as “Mishopshno.” We support thoughtful conservation and the long-term health of marine ecosystems. At the same time, proposals like this can significantly restrict access for divers, recreational anglers, and commercial fishermen who… Read more: Carpinteria MPA Proposal: What Divers Need to Know + How to Participate
Get Involved in Protecting Our Waters
As spearfishers and fishers, we cherish our access to the ocean and the opportunity to enjoy recreational fishing activities. However, proposed regulations threaten to restrict this access and impose new restrictions on our beloved pastime. It really is crucial to speak up now to protect access to our beloved waters.
Ready to Dive In?
Ready to explore spearfishing and sustainable harvesting in our beautiful California waters? Join us at our next Santa Barbara Freedivers event and connect with other divers. Whether you’re an experienced diver or new to the sport, all are welcome in our community. Stay updated on upcoming events and join the conversation by following us on Instagram, Facebook, and definitely subscribe to our newsletter below.
We look forward to seeing you at our next event!
We’re on Instagram @SBFreedivers
It appears several of our members paid close attention to what was said at our last meeting and put the skills and knowledge learned into practice! Congrats gents!
#spearfishing #yt #freediving #summertime
Where: Third Window Barrel Room
406 E. Haley St. #3, Santa Barbara CA 93101
When: Wednesday, 8/5/26, 6:30pm – 9pm
Have you noticed anything different out on the water this season? Has it felt a little warmer?
Well, that’s not the normal reason your wetsuit gets warmer. You’re probably starting to believe in the super El Niño we’ve all been hearing about! But so what, you might ask?
Well, with warmer water comes a very special visitor to our islands and, sometimes, even our coastline.
We’re talking about YELLOWTAIL, baby!
That’s right. Everyone’s favorite fish seems to appear out of the ether even more suddenly than the famous white ghost. This month, we’re talking all things yellowtail, and who better to tell you the how, where, and what to do than our very own Raf Colasante and Cory Spieler?
Join us and find out what it takes to land one of the hardest pound-for-pound fighting fish in our local waters!
Bring a friend, grab dinner and a drink from Third Window, and join another great evening with the SB Freedivers community.
(PHOTO IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT MIGHT BE BROUGHT NOT A GUARANTEE)
July Club Meeting
Swapping Gear:
Convincing You Why You Definitely Need My Extra Left Bootie.
Where: Rusty’s Pizza Parlor
4880 Hollister Ave, Santa Barbara, CA 93111
When: Wednesday, 7/1/26, 6:30pm – 9pm
If your garage is starting to look like a dive shop that went out of business, it’s probably time to clear out some space. Bring your extra gear, the stuff you swore you’d use, or that wetsuit that “definitely still fits.” Someone will want it… probably.
This month we’ll be hanging out, telling stories, roasting each other’s setups, and making questionable gear decisions as usual. So come by, bring whatever, and leave with something you didn’t plan on getting. Or show up for the laughs and to meet the crew as we swap some gear.
🔥 ONE NIGHT ONLY 🔥
Join @blue_tuna_spearfishing for an unforgettable evening with legendary waterman, world record holder, and icon of the sport Terry Maas!
**68 Years – Buddies, Observations, Lessons**
Nearly seven decades in the water. Stories you won’t hear anywhere else. From early spearfishing days to landing the Pacific Bluefin Tuna world record and still chasing kingfish in New Zealand this year; Terry’s lived it all.
This isn’t just a talk; it’s a rare chance to hear firsthand from someone who helped shape modern spearfishing and diving as we know it.
If you’re part of the ocean community, this is one of those nights you show up for.
BRING A CHAIR!! Bring a drink. Bring your questions.
📍 Blue Tuna Spearfishing
📅 June 26
⏰ 6 PM
2555 E Main Street, Ventura, CA
Don’t miss this. You’ll surely regret it if you do!!!
#bluetunaspearfishing #bluewaterhunting #terrymaas #californiaspearfishing #spearfishing
Who else is hungry for some yellowtail this season?!
🎥: @nik_a_frey
#spearfishing #yellowtail #elnino
June Club Meeting:
Topic: Ghost Stories: Strategies, Tactics, Gear, & Tales of How to Land the Elusive White Seabass.
Speakers: Mark Rodgers, Mr. Groundslayer, & Eryk the Red
Where: Third Window
406 E Haley Suite #3
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
When: Wednesday, 6/3/26, 6:30pm – 9pm
It’s that time of the year again when we all begin to get a haunting feeling that somewhere on the reef, ghosts are slipping silently through the kelp. Those pale, elusive phantoms of the Pacific — the mighty White Seabass — appear like spirits from the depths, vanishing in a flash before you can line up the shot.
But this season, fear is off the table.
Join us as we break down the tactics, the mindset, and the silent mastery you need to track these silver ghosts through the murky green. From spot knowledge and conditions to staying calm when the kelp starts whispering your name, we’re arming you with everything it takes to turn hesitation into harvest.
Join us as we discuss how you too can say: “I ain’t afraid of no ghost.”
Swing by tonight and support our club sponsor @rootedvinecellars ! Come enjoy their latest wines 🍷
We had a fantastic meeting last night, made even better by all the family involvement. This is what community building looks like and how we can inspire the next generation to participate in this sport we all love! Thanks again to everyone who came out and participated.🤙🏻
#goytaku #community #spearfishing #goodtimes
May Club Meeting:
Keeping Mementos
How to Immortalize Your Catch Without the Stink
Speaker:
Shen Meinhold
Where:
Rusty’s Pizza Parlor
270 Storke Rd, Goleta, CA 93117
When: Wednesday, 5/6/26, 6:30pm – 9pm
Have you ever come home from a dive with an amazing catch you wanted to memorialize it, but didn’t want to buy an expensive plastic replica or deal with a smelly fish tail drying in the backyard? Well, we have the perfect solution: Gyotaku, the traditional Japanese art of fish rubbing, also known as fish printing. Join us as we learn how to proudly display our spearing accomplishments beautifully, and without the stink.
If you haven’t already don’t forget to submit your 2025-2026 lobster card! They are due tomorrow (4/30/26)! Should you forget you’ll be reminded next season when you’ll have to pay an extra $20!
#report #lobster #card #dfw
If you care about the future of fishing access in California, this is something worth attending.
There will be a pre-meeting Pint Night in Santa Barbara on May 4 at 7 PM at The Brewhouse, ahead of the May 5–6 MPA meeting. It’s a good opportunity to connect with others, align perspectives, and get a better sense of what to expect before speaking.
The May 5–6 meeting will focus on the Central MPA petitions, while the May 19 meeting will address the Southern MPA petitions.
Many people in our community have dedicated significant time to this process over the past three years. Stakeholders, staff, and commissioners all played a role in shaping it. The department took that input seriously, worked through the details, and ultimately returned with recommendations to deny all Bin 2 petitions. We support that outcome.
It’s also important that science and data remain central to this discussion. These conversations can become emotional quickly, but resource management in California needs to stay grounded in evidence.
Based on the record and the department’s recommendations, the proposed new and expanded closures do not demonstrate a clear benefit to biodiversity, while they do have real impacts on access.
On the topic of “access,” that term is being used frequently right now by those advocating for more closures. But the reality is straightforward: new or expanded MPAs don’t increase fishing access—they reduce it. Activities like bird watching, beach walking, kayaking, snorkeling, and surfing are not restricted by well-managed fishing. The people who lose access are those who responsibly fish and harvest along our coast.
If you’ve been thinking about getting more involved, this is a great place to start.
May 4, 7 PM
The Brewhouse
229 W Montecito St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
RSVP: ccacalifornia.org/2026calendar
(Link in bio)
🚨California anglers, freedivers, and coastal community members – this week is critical. Two major Fish & Game Commission meetings this week will directly impact fishing and diving access along the California coast. Show up in person, on Zoom, or by phone. Every voice on the record counts. 🚨
🗓️ Tuesday April 14th – Tribal Committee Meeting, 1:00 p.m. – A proposal at Carpinteria would close the water to boat fishing, spearfishing, lobster, invertebrates, and all commercial fishing. The only access left for the general public would be hook and line from shore or a non-motorized vessel. If this passes, the way most of us fish and dive there is gone.
🗓️ Wednesday April 15th – Full Commission Meeting, 8:30 a.m. – California’s own Department of Fish and Wildlife spent over two and a half years reviewing every MPA petition and recommended denying the vast majority — because the science didn’t support them. We need public comment to back that up. You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to show up and be counted.
📍California Natural Resources HQ —
715 P Street, 2nd Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814
🔗 Zoom April 14th:
https://wildlife-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/89836477592
🔗 Zoom April 15th:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89998047571
🔗 Full details + phone numbers:
https://www.allwaters.org/events
Share this with every angler and diver you know. 🌊
Club member @prusack doing what he does best… slay big fish!!! Congrats brotha! 🤙🏻
#spearfishing #freediving #onasinglebreath #california
Epic viz today of 30+’ with a water temp of 63/64°. Our only hope is these sort of conditions remain going forward as the season draws closer!
#spearfishing #freediving #crystalclear #california
As expected there were many disagreements at our last meeting and rightfully so but this is why we have these discussions. What’s on paper isn’t always how things work out in the real world and often times it takes years if not decades of experience to realize this. But by having and building a community such as ours you can expedite that process and hopefully avoid some of the costly mistakes we all go through. So thank you to everyone who came to the meeting and shared your experiences and expertise on this subject. You’re still wrong but we were happy to disagree with you! 😉
