Shock over popular spearfisherman’s death
Darrell Hattingh will be remembered as a legend of SA spearfishing and extremely accomplished marine artist.
Well-known spearfisherman, Darrell Hattingh (60) died in hospital from burns sustained after his vehicle caught fire in Hibberdene last week Friday. Police spokesperson, Captain Petros Mpinge, confirmed that an inquest docket had been opened. The cause of the fire has not been officially released yet.
Tributes from Darrell’s family and friends have flooded social media on the news of his unexpected death. He has been described by many as a ‘legend of South African spearfishing’ and an ‘extremely accomplished marine artist’.
His wife, Bonnie, said he was a loving, caring husband, father and brother. “Darrell had a heart of gold and was willing to help anyone in need. His love for the ocean could be seen in his artwork. We are so blessed to have had him in our lives,” she said. “He has left behind a legacy that will live on in his daughter, his artwork, and our memories of him. He was my soulmate, and I loved everything about him.”
Bonnie said she has lived on the South Coast all her life. Darrell had lived in Durban and often visited the South Coast. When they met 17 years ago, he moved here permanently.
On the spearfishing front, he took part in numerous interprovincial tournaments, for both then Transvaal and Natal. He held two national spearfishing records, for Malabar rock cod and threadfin mirrorfish.
Darrell was superb at putting his thoughts to words and was involved in various publications over the years. He also had an incredible wealth of knowledge of the ocean. Darrell’s deep passion for the ocean was expressed through his life-like sculptures. He had observed first-hand over the years all the marine fauna that he sculpted, including the fear-inspiring great white shark.
Darrell wrote on www.spearfishingsa.co.za that his most frightening experiences had been an encounter with a great white and being caught in a 35 knot southwesterly wind (storm) while shore diving off Sodwana Bay, with lightning striking all round, white horses and pelting rain. Some of his highlights included spearing a fish over 20kg and ‘having a go’ at a 200kg marlin off Durban.
Photographer and fellow spearo, Tanya Nadauld, paid tribute to Darrell for always being supportive and kind, free with advice, entertaining with wild stories about the past and always having a steady supply of viz (visibility) reports. “May your soul travel with the ocean currents to warm, clean waters teeming with fish,” she added.
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