The alarm rings sharply at 4am. The occasion does not call for work or school; therefore, the grogginess that generally overcomes one’s senses at this hour is nowhere to be found.

Pierre quietly grabs his duffle bag and ice chest and heads for the door. The pre-dawn energy has an eerie though peaceful stillness. The passing of time has yet to take hold of the day. Upon arrival to his destination, Pierre opens the trunk and pauses to admire the sound of waves crashing nearby. After a calming breath, he begins preparing for what he came to do. Slipping on his neoprene camo wetsuit, memories of his first dive surface in his mind, creating an undeniable sense of nostalgia. Eyeing his favorite sandy cove, he slings the remaining gear over his shoulder and starts the short hike to the beach. Before stashing the rucksack behind a rock, he removes his most vital piece of equipment, his speargun. It is a handmade teak wood work of art, crafted by Daryl Wong- the state gun of Hawaii. Once at the water’s edge, Pierre steps into his three feet long carbon fiber fins and secures his dive mask and snorkel over his face. Running through a last mental checklist, he makes sure his knife is sheathed in his belt and wades out into the water before kicking out into the depths in search of yellowtail, dorado and the elusive white sea bass.

Pierre, a CSUSM student, is not alone in his distinct adventures. Many San Diegans have taken to the “Spearo” lifestyle, reaping both the physical and mental benefits of this pastime. For spearfishing enthusiasts, the obvious dangers of such a hobby are outweighed by the blissful solitude that exists in the depths. However, diving to depths of forty plus feet on a single breath requires an immense amount of physical proficiency and emotional discipline. Although not a lifestyle suited for all personality types, Pierre describes his love for diving as an “escape from everyday life like no other.”

He heeds warning to anyone wishing to take up spearfishing and reminds novices that it is crucial to always dive with a buddy and stay within one’s limits. It is recommended that beginners practice dive techniques in a safe coastal swimming area, during calm water conditions, with no spear gun, before attempting to venture out in search of game fish. For more information, clubs and forums, such as the San Diego Free Divers and the Spearboard, are some of the resources available.

“From birth, man carries the weight of gravity on his shoulder. He is bolted to earth. But man has only to sink beneath the surface and he is free.”

– Jacques Cousteau