Tweni’s Tanya hooks two world fishing records

Tanya Nadauld of Umtentweni has recently landed herself two world records for women’s spearfishing. The International Underwater Spearfishing Association has acknowledged Tanya’s first record for a garrick she shot in KwaZulu-Natal, and the second for a yellowspotted kingfish speared in Mozambique.

Tanya has been fishing from shore and boat for close to 20 years, and started spearfishing in 2018. The bug bit seriously last year, and the rest is history. Her husband, Mike, is himself a keen fisherman and it was he who got her ‘hooked’ (pun intended) on the sport.”I am not sure why it took me so long to get into spearfishing, but maybe it was because in South Africa is it perceived mainly as a sport for men. And although physical strength is needed to be able to load a gun, with the correct technique and practice there is no reason a woman isn’t able to do it,” she said.

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She is a member of the Hibiscus Underwater Club, and says it’s a great place to get advice and learn from some of the club’s really experienced and knowledgeable spearos.The news that she is now the holder of two world records has really boosted her self-confidence as, says Tania, she tends to be extremely hard on herself. She also hopes this will serve as an inspiration for other women. “Spearfishing is a male-dominated sport, and that’s natural – after all it is primarily about ‘the hunt’ and overall there are more men than women globally involved in hunting of any kind.”

Tanya adds that she thinks there has been a change of mindset of late, as there are groups of women in all provinces now learning to spearfish.

Looking forward, she has many spearfishing goals. Firstly, and most importantly she says, is to improve her technique in order to be a more efficient and relaxed diver at depth.She would also like to secure more South African and world records and would love to make the South African spearfishing team.Tanya’s other hobbies include photography, art and bird watching.

She says she has always had a deep love and respect for nature and the ocean, and feels extremely strongly about the conservation of marine life, something she says she shares with most other spear fishermen. “I think a lot has changed in the sport of spearfishing just as it has with recreational fishing. Spearfishing often gets a bad rap but in my opinion it is the most sustainable way of getting ‘meat’ for your dinner.

“The fish are roaming free, not in a commercial feedlot like cattle, or in cages like chickens, and you as an individual make the decision about what species and size fish you take. “You make sure that no part of the fish goes to waste, and if we only take what we need and are conscious of the fact that fish are not a limitless resource, we can all play our part in conserving stocks for future generations,” she said.

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