As you travel around the world you start to find that each area has a diver that stands out from the rest, sets the standard, and draws people in with their skill and love of the ocean.
For Bali, Indonesia, the stories and legends lead back to Roy Ogi
In the 10 trips that I’ve made to Indonesia Surfing and Diving I’ve never been able to step from the shadow that Roy has cast on the spearfishing community there.
Within a few steps on a new island, the local kids are already chatting you up with wonder in their eyes telling you of fish the size of a bemo and a gun that is way bigger than yours and this fantastic diver who always has a story to tell.
Some of my best spots in Indonesia were based on little tidbits I could find from these same kids. In Bali he is legend. All we can do is hope for a small token of his knowledge that will lead us to great fish, but his passion for the sport, life, family and friends is what truly makes him one of the most fantastic Spearfisherman in the world.
Over the next few days we will explore Roy’s world with pictures, video and stories that will bring you closer to this incredible Spearfisherman and make you a better diver, dive partner, and friend.
First!
Have fun! In all the stories about Roy I’ve heard from his family and friends he has always been the one that brought everyone together and made the most of every day on the water. We should all aspire to do the same and not sweat the little stuff in life and concentrate on diving safe and taking the right fish at the right time. His Patience can be seen in this video which I will leave you with until tomorrow when we dive deeper into his life:
DOGTOOTH TUNA VIDEO BALI INDONESIA: Click here to watch video!
2 Responses to “People who Dive: Roy Ogi, part 1”
Rest in peace Roy, I never met you but as a fellow spearo/freediver I understand your passion and the feelings that kept you coming back to the sea.I am sad that I wont be able to meet you, I feel for you and your family at this time.
Roy has been so generous with sharing his gift of the sea. In most likelihood, just about every person that has ever had the privilege of knowing Roy or spending time with him in the water would have some sort of exceptional memory about him. He is one of those rare people in life who you seldom meet and treasure to known- his demeanor quiet and humble yet his presence attracting and vibrant. Roy is such and unassuming character that you would never know he is such and incredible spear fisherman. I can sit there for hours absorbing his diving stories like fables of the fishing gods- places and experiences that seem out of reach for most mortals and a understanding of the under water universe that few seldom touch or have the privilege of experiencing for themselves. Roy has enabled many of us to have had a chance to touch this special place- our guide into its unknown realms. In the water he seems to have a sixth sense- I swear his anatomy has developed a lateral line, somehow feeling out the fish with his extraordinary perception. His friend’s often joke about Roy being the “a living fish finder”. He fancies himself in that respect- experimentation being the key- often sharing with us his many secrets that he’s developed through trial and error over the many years. He often suggests that to spear exceptional fish, “attraction is the game”- “get the fish to come to you” – which he has mastered beyond belief. On many occasions I have literally observed fish gathering around Roy like he is some sort of magnet or the pied piper. I suppose he can speak fish or telepathically connect with them, but for some unknown reason they love to get close to him. All of Roy’s close friend’s know how lucky it is to follow Roy around in the water which automatically increases your chances of making your dream catch, whatever that might be?