Hello everyone, my name is Roberto, better known as “La Bota,” and I’d like to tell you how I discovered spearfishing. It all started in 2020, when COVID hit. For many people it was the worst time of their lives, but honestly, for me it was the best. And it was all thanks to a friend who introduced me to this beautiful sport that I can now call my job.

I’ve loved the ocean for as long as I can remember. I’ve always been a kid passionate about extreme sports, constantly looking for new ways to challenge myself. Surfing was, for a long time, the most extreme way I knew to live my life, until I discovered spearfishing, a sport that has pushed me to discover my limits like no other.

It all began when I was stuck at home like everyone else, on my phone all day. One day I saw a friend post a story saying he had gone to the ocean and the police hadn’t kicked him out. I asked him what he was doing. He replied, “Bro, I went fishing.” Curious, I asked, “But how? Didn’t the police see you?” He answered, “I was fishing under the sea.” Full of energy and curiosity, I asked him how that was even possible, and that’s when he explained what spearfishing was all about. I completely lost it when I heard his answer and asked if he could take me with him. Since he was already an expert, he said no.

I couldn’t hold myself back, so I decided to order my first speargun online. As a total beginner with no experience, I went out alone, not knowing the risks involved. I remember that day so clearly. I went to the beach by myself and decided to give it a shot. When I got home, super excited, I showed my mom what I had caught. She was confused about what kind of fish it was, and I told her they were mojarras. She was happy, not really knowing either, and started cooking them right away. When I finally tasted my fish, I realized it was terrible.

That’s when I went online to look up what I had actually caught. Turns out it was a fish you’re not supposed to eat. I laughed, but that moment pushed me to set goals and decide that I needed to get better at this sport. Today, I’m grateful to spearfishing for all the experiences, trips, friendships, and moments it has given me with the sea.