 WETSUITS AND GLOVES
Starting right at the heart of any spear fisherman’s equipment is the wetsuit and having the right suit can make a big difference to your diving. Most spear fisherman will spend large amounts of time in the water so the suit must be able to keep you warm. It should also be very comfortable and not restrict your movements in any way, unlike a suit worn by a scuba diver which can be quite stiff (we spearo’s refer to them as cardboard wetsuits). Because of these requirements the best wetsuits are two piece, made from a very flexible material that are nylon lined on the outside only and have no zips. The suit consists of a top with built in hood and long john with inner lining which is either titanium or plain. The top will have a pad on the chest area for loading a spear gun. Lastly you will need to lubricate your wetsuit before you put it on and this is done by using a soapy solution made from shampoo and water. I recommend using a brand of shampoo that doesn’t irritate your skin and not having to strong a solution will prevent this. Best mix is around 900mls of water to 100mls of shampoo.
A good quality correct fitting glove is also required for spearfishing to offer protection from fish spines, shellfish, gills to name a few and also to keep your hands warm. Your gloves shouldn’t have a lot of thickness as this will inhibit your sense of touch especially when handling your speargun. In New Zealand we also have crayfish to contend with and if these are your target, then be prepared to go through a few pairs of gloves a year. Some do last longer than others and the addition of Kevlar to the main wear areas can be of benefit also.
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