Spearfishing competition checklist

A spearfishing competition needs more than a start time and a list of competitors. Before opening registration, confirm the venue, competition area, permits, rules and safety plan. In the final week, check the forecast, inspect access and equipment, and give every participant clear information. On the day, marked boundaries, reliable communication, visible dive flags and ready rescue equipment help judges and stewards run the competition safely and consistently.

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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

Confirm the competition venue
Check the competition area
2 people
Check permits and regulations
Draw up competition rules
2 people
Prepare safety plan
2 people
Recruit stewards and judges
Send invitations
Open registrations
Reserve the venue and restroom facilities
Keep track of the participant list
Collect dietary requirements
Confirm registrations
Send participant information
Check the weather forecast
Reinspect the competition area
2 people
Do the shopping
2 people
Check competition materials
2 people
Print the jury forms
Prepare participant badges

Event

Fill coolers
2 people
Check the grounds and access
2 people
Set up tables and chairs
3 people
Build party tents
4 people
Mark the competition area
3 people
Set up safety equipment
2 people
Set up judges' table
2 people
Set up registration desk
2 people
Hang lighting
2 people
Prepare snacks
3 people
Chill drinks
2 people
Register participants
3 people
Hand out race numbers
2 people
Collect consent forms
2 people
Give the safety briefing
3 people
Explain the competition rules
2 people
Guide participants to the start
3 people
Give the signal
2 people
Oversee competition safety
4 people
Register time and participants
2 people
Refill drinks
2 people
Serve snacks
2 people
Announce the end of the competition
Collect and label the catch
3 people
Weigh and assess the catch
3 people
Check results
2 people
Present prizes
2 people
Serve evening catering
3 people
Collect waste along the way
2 people

Aftercare

Take down tables and chairs
3 people
Take down party tents
4 people
Gather competition materials
3 people
Wash the dishes and kitchenware
2 people
Clean the grounds
3 people
Take waste to the collection point
2 people
Lock up the venue
Dry competition equipment
2 people
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 rules before registration opens, including the scoring method, catch handling, time limits and disqualification criteria. Print waterproof jury forms and prepare one clear rule summary for every participant.
Build the safety plan around the actual water and access points. Place the life ring, life jackets, first aid kit, emergency blanket and throwing line where stewards can reach them quickly, and test every two-way radio before the briefing.
Reinspect the competition area during the week before the event and again on the morning itself. Check that competition buoys, barrier tape and the dive flag are visible, secure and positioned exactly as described in the rules.
Prepare participant identification and scoring in advance. Use waterproof bib numbers or badges, keep a current participant list, and have waterproof notebooks, scoreboards, a measuring tape and digital scale ready at the judges’ table.
Do not leave the weigh-in and catch-handling setup until the final hour. Set out catch crates, the fishing net, cutting board and fish scale in a defined area, then confirm who records measurements and who checks each result.

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 safety equipment is needed for a spearfishing competition?: Have at least one life ring, throwing line, life jacket, dive flag, first aid kit and emergency blanket available at the event base. Add two-way radios, a megaphone, a flashlight and spare batteries so stewards can communicate if conditions change.
When should I check the weather and competition area?: Check the forecast 48 to 72 hours before the event, then review it again on the morning of the competition. Reinspect the water area, access routes, boundaries and safety equipment after the final forecast check.
How do I prepare judging for a spearfishing competition?: Assign judges before invitations are sent and print the jury forms at least 2 days before the event. Prepare a judges’ table with waterproof scoreboards, notebooks, a measuring tape and digital scale, and explain the recording procedure during the participant briefing.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.