Andrea Calvino, born in 1977 in Rome, has a high-level competitive spearfishing background. He lives the sea in all its dimensions and documents his spearfishing experiences through social media and his YouTube channel.
Hi Andrea! If I had to think of someone who drops everything and lives fully for their passions, I’d think of you! How do you do it?
I can only share my experience… The “instruction manual” idea sounds like one of those 90s motivational clichés. I’ve always believed that nothing easy exists in real life. They’re just clever marketing tricks to fool the naive. So the question isn’t “what’s the easiest path?” but “what makes SENSE for us?” Whatever path we choose, effort is always required.
You’ve also lived a “normal life” at some point: a big city, a partner, perhaps the classic “stable job.” What advice would you give to people feeling trapped in a life that doesn’t feel theirs?
I think we find our “WHY” when we reconnect with our essence, our deep natural inclination, which everyone has but few have the sensitivity or courage to perceive. Yes, I spent years feeling like a walking stereotype, and I realized that if I didn’t change course radically, I’d get sick. Once I understood that, I gathered the courage to take the big step.
You were a strong competitive spearfisher (I hear the spark even started near my hometown). In my opinion, you collected less than you could have. Why did you retire so young?
I used to think that too, but then I realized I got what I deserved. In 2013, I came very close to winning the Absolute Spearfishing Championship and spent years analyzing where I went wrong. The answer was simpler than I thought: my mind didn’t desire victory 100% with the “killer instinct” needed to be first. Andrea Settimi had it and won — he deserved it, I didn’t. That was an important lesson I’ll never forget.
Can you tell us about a competition that particularly stood out for you?
The second day of the 2011 Absolute Championship at Biscione is unforgettable. I won (with 13 fish) by hunting without any signals, relying solely on instinct.
I noticed your recent competitions were mostly qualifiers. How did you prepare for them, and do you think this format is still valid today?
I hardly prepared at all. I enjoyed improvising and hunting freely, often fishing “all’aspetto” with a 90, totally against the conventional approach.
You fish a lot with the variable weight technique, the famous “piombone.” What’s your opinion on it?
I’ve said it many times: the movable weight should ONLY be used at the same depths we can easily reach in constant weight. The point of variable weight is to save energy and stay safer — not to reach depths that aren’t ours. Breaking this rule is like playing Russian roulette.
What technique do you prefer, under which conditions, and which speargun is indispensable for your outings?
My favorite technique is ambush fishing in rough seas, but unfortunately, it’s rarely possible in my current fishing areas. I always carry a long speargun (95–105 cm). If I can’t catch white fish, no problem — but losing a big catch because I have the wrong gun? That bothers me a lot.
You pay attention to equipment, but also to the boat and onboard instruments. Can you tell us more about these “companions” on your adventures?
One of the most fun summers of my life was spent fishing with a 3.8-meter Zodiac, steering by bar, with no electronics. That was 15 years ago… Nowadays, for deep water or “all’aspetto” fishing, a good boat and electronic equipment are essential. When hunting amberjack or snappers, I spend 80–90% of my time on the rubber boat studying the perfect dive spot. Using instruments well is an art refined over thousands of hours of practice. Almost everyone uses echo sounders and maps, but very few do it properly — and luckily for me, that’s still a skill.
You studied humanities, hence our title. Anthropology must have led to deep reflections. How is spearfishing communication evolving with social media compared to print?
With social media, we’re constantly overstimulated and desensitized. It’s like eating our favorite food for a month straight — even things we love now make us almost sick. What’s rare and not widely available, like photos and stories in print back in the day, has a different charm. Today, even the most beautiful sunset photo no longer moves us. We should enjoy direct experiences with full presence and feel them with our own skin, without wasting time filming or taking photos for others (who usually won’t care anyway).
A book that deeply influenced you? And one you’d recommend to young spearfishers?
James Hillman – The Soul’s Code
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/andrea_calvino_spearfisherman?igsh=MXBicGhzYnUyb3JyZg%3D%3D
YouTube: Andrea Calvino Spearfisherman