Get competent, confident and have fun spearfishing over a long weekend in 1770

Over 4 days in our Beginner Spearfishing Retreat in 1770, Central Queensland and the Southern Great Barrier Reef, you will develop the skills, techniques and knowledge to be able to hunt, shoot, dispatch, prepare and cook your own fish with confidence. It’s more than a course.

Safe | Fun | No-ego

12 students – 6 Instructors/Assistant Guides + 1 Photographer

Regular Team (rotated)

• Regular Team (rotated)
  • Isaac 'Shrek' Daly
  • Tom Sandstrom
  • Tom Smythe
  • Brianna Heaney
  • Mark Davies
  • Ryan Noffke
  • Sam Mumford
  • Adam Chizzoniti
  • Ben Rennie (Photographer)
  • Rhys Clay
  • Brad Corbett
  • Nic Denshire
  • Liv Borden

Included in this retreat

• Noob Spearo Beginner Spearfishing Course
• Padi Online Learning (complete prior to retreat)
• Padi Freediver Certification (can also do Padi Advanced Freediver - level 2)
• 2 Full Days Out on the Great Barrier Reef aboard a Specialized Dive Boat
• Filleting Demonstration (and involvement)
• 3 Way Fish Cookup Involvement (Usually Ceviche, Salt and Vinegar Crumbed Fish and Hot Smoking but often more!)
• Most meals provided (No breakfasts and 2 nights out at Tavern on Sunday and Pizza on Thursday NOT covered)
• Dive weights are provided free of charge

Optional Inclusions

• Hire equipment
• Transport to 1770 from Brisbane *happy to assist with travel arrangements just email shrek@noobspearo.com

Not Included

• Alcohol
• No breakfasts provided and 2 nights out at Tavern on Sunday and Pizza on Thursday also NOT covered
• Accommodation (we have a group discounted rate for Backpackers @ 1770 and the Instructor team will all be staying next door)

If you already have some basic competence, you will learn even more and take your spearing to the next level.

3 Reasons People Say NO to the 1770 Beginner Spearfishing Course and Retreat

😳I'm an absolute beginner with a pathetic breath-hold (insert other perceived limitation;)

Many people are worried that they might not be able to meet the requirements and will look foolish/inadequate in front of people. This is a normal response when you see people 8m down, looking comfortable and shooting a Coral Trout, you can possibly feel justified in feeling this way.

Here's the thing though:

90% of them didn't look like that on day 1.

You are looking at them on day 4 after intentional skill building, confidence boosting, carefully crafted activities that build you up to the opportunities that the Southern Great Barrier Reef is so reliable at providing.

Here is a list of REAL attributes that will set you up for success.

• Can comfortably swim 100m unassisted
• Can wear their mask, snorkel and fins swimming laps in a pool (no breath-hold just finning and swimming laps getting comfortable)
• Have moderate (or better) level of physical fitness
• Are teachable and leave your ego at the shore
• Can willingly submit to being outside their comfort zone for brief periods in order to attain a new skill
• Have no serious medical conditions

💸$2450 is expensive, not sure I'm ready to invest

This is a BIG investment and you are right, this might not be for you:

• If you would like to reduce your learning time significantly, this retreat is for you
• Want to meet 11 other like minded people similar to you, this retreat is for you
• Consider learning safely with an expert team of no ego, frothy and professional instructors, this retreat is for you
• Would like opportunities to shoot some great fish in a target rich environment (as a learner), this retreat is for you.

BUT don't just take my word for it, read what others have to say HERE

🗺️⁀જ✈︎Getting to 1770 and back home seems difficult

If you can fly into Brisbane, you can carpool with us!

Basic Course Outline

Day 1 (Thursday)

• Arrive early arvo in 1770 for theory and introductions.
• Transfer to accommodation and settle in
• Welcome drinks/snacks and orientation to the town / the reef etc
• Have dinner together (pizza place)

Day 2 (Friday)

• Breathing Workshop and stretching
• Complete Padi Freediver Enclosed Water Activities and target practice
• Speargun & Equipment Workshop
• Species ID & Hunting Techniques Workshop

Dinner provided: Instructors or Backpackers Chef to cater

Day 3 (Saturday) | all day Boat activities

• Board vessel and depart for Great Barrier Reef (Bunker Group)
• Complete Padi Freediver Live Diving Requirements
• Lunch on the boat
• Guided spearfishing in buddy pairs
• Catch and Cook Activity (smoking fish, sashimi, ceviche, 99 Spearo Recipes)

Day 4 (Sunday) | all day Boat activities

• Board vessel and depart for Great Barrier Reef (Bunker Group)
• Guided spearfishing in buddy pairs
• Rotate guides and get feedback all day
• 1 guide in each session will be working to help put you on fish
• Debrief at Agnes Water Tavern, dinner and celebrate

Retreat Complete!

About this Beginner Spearfishing Retreat

These events are more than just a course. Participants, Instructors and Assistants all hang out together and often people make friends and dive buddies for life. Together we go on a structured journey designed to help you gradually acquire the skills, confidence and knowledge to begin spearfishing.

The course begins with introductions and theory, a meal and then progresses into the water on day 1. The Padi freediving course is delivered with 100% spearfishing in mind and therefore provides you with confidence in the water, good dive technique and an awareness of safety.

From there, we learn about spearguns, how to use them safely and competently and do a land based exercise followed by target practice in the water. We also learn species identification with a focus on what you are likely to encounter and especially what not to target (no take species).

Healthy spearfishing is always focused on sustainability. One breath, one shot, one fish. We show you how to shoot the fish, dispatch, bleed and gut the fish. We take this a step further and even get you involved in the filleting process, the cooking and we all love the eating part.

If you want to go on a unique learning experience with like minded people, this course might be for you.

IF YOU CAN”T MAKE THESE DATES OR MISS OUT, JOIN OUR WAITLIST

1770 Retreat July 23-27, 2026

1770 Retreat Sep 3-7, 2026

FAQ

• What happens if the weather or water visibility is not diveable? *we are partnering with Dive, Spear and Sport to facilitate these 1770 Retreats
  

Cancellation due to weather is our Skippers call and if they can't run, they can't run - but the time of year we run 1770 retreats is good for weather usually. We try to make any poor weather calls as early as we can BUT I recommend booking flights that can be refunded or shifted as weather is outside of our control.

• What if I need to cancel my course last minute?

All deposits are non-refundable due to the careful planning, budgeting, and specialized personnel required for these trips. If you need to reschedule your trip, we require at least 30 days’ notice, and we can sometimes place you in a later trip. This notice period allows us the necessary time to reassign spots and keep costs reasonable for everyone.

• What are the Padi Freediver Requirements?