SpearfishingRI
Dr. Joe MacInnis, C.M., M.D.
Every time I’ve met with Max, bizarre and high-stakes missions have been the norm. Our last; finding a shipwreck with Canadian Prime Minister, Mr Justin Trudeau and others of supreme importance. Max delivered perfectly, and again it was a perfect day. Strict rules had to be adhered to in order we complete the day, extreme discretion, safety protocols (sort of), and a general coolness that could be trusted with one of our world leaders. Pretty soon, all of us were eating fresh caught ceviche ending a day that words will always fall short to explain.
Max is a leader, can hold his own, and most importantly he has the curiosity necessary to make real things happen.
In showing me a new world beneath the surface of the sea, Max also introduced me to a more capable version of myself.
I came to Max with no spearfishing or diving experience. He helped me prepare with instructional materials and several discussions about mindset, diving safety, and fishing regulations. He coached me on my first spearfishing trip, and several thereafter.
Now, I can load and shoot a speargun. I can clean a fish. I can hold my breath for over 3 minutes. I can dive down over 80 feet.
I've trusted Max with my life before, and I would do it again.
Max, thank you again for organizing these wonderful moments beneath the sea, looking after our safety, and recording our adventure. Best wish, Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada.
Testimonials
It's easy to see why Max is at home in the water. He has an innate ability to pass on his skills to clients; even those who have not spent much or any time in the water.
Since spearfishing with Max, it has become my most cherished hobby, and I've harvested in oceans around the world. My my vacations and travels have become far more interesting and fulfilling, and the confidence I have in being able to provide food for myself and my tribe is amazing.
Max is a classic waterman. He approaches spearfishing with a respect for the ocean that is refreshing. He will apply hunting techniques from the primitive to the advanced based on your mission. He keeps things safe, knows where to find fish, and always has fun!
I first met Max when I traveled to the United States from Canada for 6 months to conduct studies related to Sharks and Stingrays. I was an avid Scuba Diver for 15 years prior to this, but I had minimal experience with freediving and spearfishing.
Max guided me on several trips around the coast of Florida and the Bahamas.
He turned me into an athlete underwater and fast tracked me into safely harvesting fish, something I have continued to do since.
I have dove in the Atlantic, Pacific, the Red and Caribbean Seas, and the Great Lakes. Hence, I have been diving with a diverse range of people around the world. Max is one of the few people that I trust underwater, and he is an incredible person to spend time with. Looking forward to diving with Max again.
Tony Brown
Our oceanic ecosystem is a bountiful and sustainable resource for humanity. However, it is fragile and must be treated with utmost stewardship.
Hunting in a marine environment can be rewarding, but it also poses many inherent risks. Wind, water depth/current/swell, bottom structure and topography, etc. are complex and highly variable hazards. Also, spearguns are powerful, potentially lethal tools which should be treated like firearms. This combination of elements, along with human physiology (apnea) complex fish behavior and movement patterns, all combine in a manner that make spearfishing an intimidating endeavor for beginners. Most people do not know a high-level spearfishing expert. For these reasons, it is wise to seek out expertise that can help build a strong foundation to begin, while simultaneously reducing the steep learning curve inherent to spearfishing.
"Coach Max" truly embodies the outdoorsman lifestyle. He is a proactive advocate for the protection and preservation of the natural environments and the ecological communities that live there. A great environmental steward, Max demonstrates how to use our shared natural resources in a sustainable and responsible manner.
Max is educated, well-read, interesting and a genuinely good person. His enthusiasm, positive energy, modesty and patience are refreshing. Also, he is a skilled coach and keenly shifts his attention based on one's abilities. To top it off, he is an elite waterman and a marine hunting badass.
Max moves through the water with elegance and grace. Spearfishing for the first time with an expert like him is a tremendous confidence booster. He was able to put me onto my first fish. The hunt, harvest, and reverence for the animal prompted a near-spiritual experience. Needless to say, I was elated. I'm sincerely honored to have shared that moment with him. Max was extremely stoked on our success, perhaps even more overjoyed than me. At that moment, I realized he enjoys sharing the stoke and giving back to the community. It's reason he does it and I am immensely grateful for that.
Consider this experience an investment in yourself. Don't hesitate, it is well worth the cost. I wholeheartedly recommend Spearfishing Rhode Island. I would give 11 stars, if I could!
Max, thank you so very much...
With gratitude,
Tony
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Clay Rock
Max is a highly skilled, grounded, and confident teacher - three great attributes for someone guiding this work. The day is structured very thoughtfully. The morning offers a comprehensive overview of equipment, safety, spot selection, and technique (including breath work). After a quick lunch break you meet Max at the spot. The afternoon is spent in the water doing your best to put into action everything you’ve learned during the morning session - this is a cerebral as it is physical journey!
This may sound trite but the whole experience is rife with opportunities for self-exploration, discovery, and growth. If this is something you are into all you need to do is take the time to look under the hood of all of the actual skills you are learning and you will find some real gems! It’s also a total bonus that holding you breath, diving to the sea floor, and hoping to spot dinner happens to be incredibly cool, beautiful, and exhilarating.
I highly recommend this to any and all! Thank you Max!
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It's difficult to find the correct starting point to describe the experience that Max puts together. He is clearly a skilled diver and spear fisherman. He has countless techniques, tricks, and words of wisdom for each of the steps required to harvesting a fish... But above all, I was impressed by his ability to convey information in an effective and approachable way. I never thought I could have made the progress I did during our time together. I truly believe it would have taken me years to figure out on my own what Max was able to teach me in just one day. Thank you, Max!
I've been diving with Max in Newport Rhode Island, the Bahamas, and Florida. He is a competent waterman, and absolutely transfers that knowledge and safety onto his clients, so of my most memorable moments on the water have been with Max.
I thought that I started spearfishing forty years ago in California. But after my intensive course with Max, I know that I really started spearfishing last week in Rhode Island. Max is equal parts mystic, technician, teacher, and buddy. That combination is perfect for comfortably, quickly, and radically accelerating your progress as a spearo. Max turns beginning spearos into competent spearos and competent spearos into expert spearos. IN ONE DAY. If you want to be a (much) more confident, capable, safe, and successful spearo, spend a day with Max.
When I reached out to Spearfishing RI, I was looking to accelerate my spearfishing education. I’ve had enough close calls teaching myself motorcycling and packrafting to know that I wanted expert guidance with spearfishing.
Max exceeded my high expectations. Beyond learning about safety and the fundamentals, I learned so much about body and environment awareness. Perhaps most importantly, I learned what I still need to learn.
There is a whole new world underwater that Max helped open up to me. I am grateful for the experience and excited to build on a solid foundation. Couldn’t ask for anything more!
Amy Steinbuechler, Army Veteran RN
I cannot speak more highly of my experience spearfishing in Rhode Island and Max as a guide. Max takes a uniquely holistic approach to spearfishing and leads a life changing journey for those he guides. I learned so much about the sport of free diving, skills of spearfishing and the eco-system we’d be diving in. The breathing exercises and relaxation techniques Max uses perfectly blended physical and mental control and had a huge impact on my ability to free dive and more. But most profound for me, was the spiritual connection and empowerment I felt while spearfishing with Max. I had personal apprehensions about “hunting” which I shared with Max, I am so glad I pushed through those barriers and thankful for our conversations and Max’s encouragement. I will forever cherish the connection I felt in harvesting my first fish, preparing it, and consuming it. Max made the entire process incredibly harmonious and ceremonial for which I am so grateful. I look forward to the next time I can join Max in the water and around a table.