How to organise a spearfishing competition

A spearfishing competition needs more than a marked-out water area and a list of entrants. Start with the venue, permits, competition rules and a safety plan before opening registration. Then assign judges and stewards, prepare waterproof scoring materials, and give participants clear information about access, timings and requirements. The final checks happen close to the event: review the forecast, inspect the area again, test communications and place safety equipment where it can be reached quickly.

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The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

1
Confirm the competition venue
2
Check the competition area
2 people
3
Check permits and regulations
4
Draw up competition rules
2 people
5
Prepare safety plan
2 people
6
Recruit stewards and judges
7
Send invitations
8
Open registrations
9
Reserve the venue and restroom facilities
10
Keep track of the participant list
11
Collect dietary requirements
12
Confirm registrations
13
Send participant information
14
Check the weather forecast
15
Reinspect the competition area
2 people
16
Do the shopping
2 people
17
Check competition materials
2 people
18
Print the jury forms
19
Prepare participant badges

Event

20
Fill coolers
2 people
21
Check the grounds and access
2 people
22
Set up tables and chairs
3 people
23
Build party tents
4 people
24
Mark the competition area
3 people
25
Set up safety equipment
2 people
26
Set up judges' table
2 people
27
Set up registration desk
2 people
28
Hang lighting
2 people
29
Prepare snacks
3 people
30
Chill drinks
2 people
31
Register participants
3 people
32
Hand out race numbers
2 people
33
Collect consent forms
2 people
34
Give the safety briefing
3 people
35
Explain the competition rules
2 people
36
Guide participants to the start
3 people
37
Give the signal
2 people
38
Oversee competition safety
4 people
39
Register time and participants
2 people
40
Refill drinks
2 people
41
Serve snacks
2 people
42
Announce the end of the competition
43
Collect and label the catch
3 people
44
Weigh and assess the catch
3 people
45
Check results
2 people
46
Present prizes
2 people
47
Serve evening catering
3 people
48
Collect waste along the way
2 people

Aftercare

49
Take down tables and chairs
3 people
50
Take down party tents
4 people
51
Gather competition materials
3 people
52
Wash the dishes and kitchenware
2 people
53
Clean the grounds
3 people
54
Take waste to the collection point
2 people
55
Lock up the venue
56
Dry competition equipment
2 people
57
Return rented materials
2 people

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentqty 2
Folding tableqty 6
Folding chairqty 40
Judges' table
Clothing rackqty 2

Sports equipment

Competition buoysqty 8
Barrier tapeqty 3
Bib numbersqty 35
Waterproof participant badgesqty 40
Measuring tapeqty 2
Digital scaleqty 2
Waterproof scoreboardsqty 3
Waterproof notebooksqty 6
Whistleqty 6
Life ringqty 2
Throwing lineqty 2
Life jacketqty 6
Dive flagqty 4
Waterproof bagqty 8
Fishing netqty 4
Catch cratesqty 6
Cutting boardqty 3
Fish scale
First aid kitqty 2
Emergency blanketqty 6
Flashlightqty 6
Spare batteriesqty 24

Equipment

Megaphone
Two-way radioqty 6
Power bankqty 4
Extension cordqty 3
Power stripqty 3

Lighting

LED lampqty 8
Battery lanternqty 4

Tableware

Reusable plateqty 40
Reusable cupqty 50
Reusable cutleryqty 50

Kitchen

Cool boxqty 6
Thermosqty 4
Kettleqty 2
Cutting knifeqty 4
Serving tongsqty 4
Serving trayqty 4
Meat thermometer

Decorations

Competition bannerqty 2
Arrow signqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binqty 6
Broomqty 2
Litter pickerqty 2
Bucketqty 4

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Set the competition area before you publish the event. Confirm the venue, access points, restroom facilities and boundaries, then mark the course with competition buoys, barrier tape and a dive flag.
Write the rules before registration opens, including judging, measuring, weighing, catch handling, cut-off times and disqualification conditions. Give every participant the same written information so there is less room for disputes.
Build the safety plan around actual water access. Assign named stewards and judges, prepare life jackets, a life ring, a first aid kit and emergency blankets, and check that two-way radios and the megaphone work before competitors enter the water.
Do not leave scoring materials until the morning of the competition. Print jury forms, prepare waterproof notebooks and scoreboards, label participant badges and test the digital scale, measuring tape and fish scale.
Reinspect the area after checking the weather forecast, ideally within 24 hours of the start. Recheck access, tents, tables, catch crates, lighting, spare batteries and power banks; conditions or equipment problems often change after the first setup.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I organise a spearfishing competition?: Start venue, permit and regulation checks at least 8 to 12 weeks before the competition. Open registration only after the rules, safety plan and competition area have been confirmed.
What should be included in a spearfishing competition safety plan?: Include the marked competition boundaries, dive flag locations, emergency contacts, steward positions, communication method and response procedure. Check all safety equipment at least 24 hours beforehand and again before the start.
When should I check the weather for a spearfishing competition?: Check the forecast daily during the final three days, then make a formal go/no-go review within 24 hours of the event. Reinspect the water access and competition area after that check, because wind and visibility can change the conditions.
How do I prevent disputes over judging and weighing?: Define the scoring and catch-handling rules in writing before registration opens, and use the same measuring tape, digital scale and fish scale for every competitor. Have judges complete waterproof jury forms and record results immediately at the judges' table.

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