supporting women in the ocean
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SAN DIEGO, CA, USA
Selkie's
Women's Weekend
SEPTEMBER 12 + 13, 2026
Spearfishing + Freediving
Be part of the first annual Selkies Women's Weekend, a weekend of diving, community, cooking, and enjoying the gifts that the ocean gives us. Women are underrepresented in freediving and spearfishing.
Let's change that!
Women are sorely underrepresented in both freediving and spearfishing.
San Diego Freedivers Club, in collaboration with Selkies - women in freediving, Spear America San Diego, and Focus Freedive, are working to change that! This event will provide a unique opportunity for women to come together and learn and support one another as divers and spearos.
WHEN: September 12 + 13, 2026
Schedule:
- Saturday: Welcome drinks + snacks and Expert Talk on spearfishing and freediving + Q+A with experts. Everyone welcome. RSVP here.
- Sunday: Spearfishing boat day lead by experts (approx. 12 women) on chartered boat (Marissa Charters) followed by cooking what we catch with professional filming and photography coverage. Priority given to female divers for seats on the boat. Catch and Cook - live streamed with product placements possible. Dinner open to everyone with RSVP.
Women who would like to be considered for the spearfishing day out should apply here!
The experts:
More to be announced!
PURPOSE OF THE EVENT:
1. Promote women in spearfishing
2. Empower women in a male-dominated space
3. Give real-world examples of how to live off the sea in SoCal
4. Promote sustainable and eco friendly dive products and initiatives
5. Grow our community of sea-lovers!
While this event is for and by women, it is an inclusive event and we want everyone involved! Please submit the form "RSVP" if you would like to attend either Saturday or Sunday's event or both. If you would like to be considered for the Sunday boat spearfishing trip, please select "Boat Day Application." Any issues, questions, or concerns, please reach out to Robin at 619-990-3575 or rcanfield@gmail.com
Why this is a good opportunity for you!
1. Reach a very niche group of women (and men!) who are into spearfishing, who spend their vacations diving and spearfishing, and are certified freedivers or are interested or in the process of becoming certified
2. When (not if!) successful, this event will become a yearly event. Get in on the ground floor to help make this as impactful as possible!
3. Southern California has hundreds if not thousands of freedivers and spearfishers. Through the reach of our partners you will be reaching a solid percent of these people, helping you solidify your brand in a valuable market.
Please check out our sponsorship options below. Not seeing what you're looking for? Or have another idea of how to get involved? Reach out to Robin, the Event Lead, at 619-990-3575.
Financial Donation
(minimum $100)
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Your logo (small) on the back of the event T-Shirts
-
Any swag you want in the swag bags
-
Dedicated social media promotion before, during, and after the event on San Diego Freedivers, Selkies, Focus, and Freedive Outfitters
-
Mention in Friday night's presentations and power point
Financial Sponsorship
(minimum $500)
-
Your logo (featured) on the back of the event T-Shirts
-
Any swag you want in the swag bags + any coupons, info packets, etc. you would like to include
-
Dedicated social media promotion before, during, and after the event on San Diego Freedivers, Selkies, Focus, and Freedive Outfitters
-
Dinner + opportunity to network and speak briefly at Friday's event + placement in the powerpoint as a key sponsor
-
Product placement throughout the weekend with instructions to filmographer to feature
Product Donation
(minimum 12 pieces)
-
Any swag you want in the swag bags
-
Dedicated social media promotion before, during, and after the event on San Diego Freedivers, Selkies, Focus, and Freedive Outfitters
-
Mention in Friday night's presentations and power point
-
Participants will be encouraged to use and tag your merchandise on their personal and business accounts
Product Sponsorship
(minimum 50 pieces)
-
Your logo (featured) on the back of the event T-Shirts
-
Any swag you want in the swag bags + any coupons, info packets, etc. you would like to include
-
Dedicated social media promotion before, during, and after the event on San Diego Freedivers, Selkies, Focus, and Freedive Outfitters
-
Dinner + opportunity to network and speak briefly at Friday's event + placement in the powerpoint as a key sponsor
-
Product placement throughout the weekend with instructions to filmographer to feature
-
Participants and experts will be encouraged to use and tag your merchandise on their personal and business accounts
-
Event Lead:
Robin Canfield
619-990-3575
rcanfield@gmail.com
About
Mitsuki is a two time World Record Spearfisher who calls the OC home. She has been featured in the LA Times and Sunset Magazine. She is also a professional chef and works diligently to promote sustainability, balance, and respect for the ocean.
Give her a follow @lazy_seal_mitsuki
Brittany is an award-winning spearfisher, Fii freediving instructor, and member of the USA Women's Spearfishing Team. She won the 2026 Freshwater Spearfishing World Championship and is busy winning many other competitions this year. Be sure to check out her instagram @britadele.
Ryan Moore
Ryan is a Riffe-sponsored spearo and gear designer and the owner of Spear America San Diego / Freedive Outfitters and InDepth Expeditions. He is a champion supporter of Selkies and serves on the board of San Diego Freedivers. Ryan is also an Fii instructor with Focus Freedive. His accolades including multiple spearfishing championship wins.
Celebrating over 30 years since its' founding, San Diego Freedivers is a local club with 200+ members that brings together freedivers and spearfishers around shared values of fellowship, marine stewardship, and sportsmanship.
The group supports the preservation of freediving and spearfishing traditions, promotes responsible time in the ocean, and encourages safe, respectful interaction between divers, the environment, and the broader waterfront community.
Selkies Women in Freediving is a women‑led online community dedicated to connecting, empowering, and celebrating freediving women from diverse backgrounds. Founded by Women's Weekend Event Leader, Robin Canfield, who also serves as the Event Chair for San Diego Freedivers, and is a team member at Focus Freedive.
With her background in travel public relations, Robin brings years of event management and multi-day trip coordination to this initiative.
Focus Freedive is a San Diego–based freediving and spearfishing community that provides structured training, certification courses, and guided line dives in a safe, supportive environment. The organization runs pool sessions, spearfishing events, and dive trips while emphasizing ocean conservation, teamwork, and sustainable practices, and was founded in 2020 by Brandon Zeek to foster a tight‑knit, safety‑oriented community for divers of all levels.
Freedive Outfitters is the San Diego arm of Spear America, the nation's largest outfitter for spearfishing. They supply high‑quality gear, including spearguns, wetsuits, dive floats, reels, and accessories for both recreational and competitive divers. In addition to equipment sales, the outfitters serves as a practical resource for local divers, offering gear support, repairs, and guidance that seamlessly complements the training programs offered through Focus Freedive.
Owned and operated by Ryan Moore, an Fii instructor with Focus Freedive and Riffe-sponsored spearo.
SPONSORS + SUPPORTERS
Interesting. . .
"Women’s spearfishing in Southern California is still a niche, but it has grown noticeably over the past five years, especially through women-led groups, club participation, and competitive interest.”
Ocean-minded Social Media Followers
Reach a minimum combined following of 34,980 followers who are interested in freediving and spearfishing
There are now four growing communities dedicated to women in freediving and spearfishing in Southern California. Approx 500+ women involved to date.
What is a Selkie?
A selkie (or selchie) is a mythological shape-shifter from Scottish, Irish, and Norse folklore, meaning "seal folk," that can transform from a seal into a human by shedding its skin. They are often portrayed as breathtakingly beautiful, amorous, and deeply connected to the sea,
From 10% to 27% females
The Los Angeles Fathomiers, one of the oldest spearfishing clubs in Southern California, reported that 8 of roughly 30 members were women, up from 3 in 2016.
“To freedive is to discover the power of breath and the beauty of silence.”
- Hanli Prinsloo