From the moment he first looked underwater through his father’s diving mask, Juanvi Pérez (Mares Pure Passion) developed a deep passion for the sea. What began as a childhood fascination quickly became a way of life, leading him into the world of competitive spearfishing and unforgettable adventures with the Spanish National Team. In this interview, Juanvi shares his journey, his favorite techniques, the spirit of competition and the dreams that continue to drive him beneath the waves.
Valentina Prokic: Hi, Juanvi, when and how did your passion for spearfishing begin?
Juanvi Pérez: Hello everyone! Well, when I was 6 years old, my parents took me on a trip to Tarragona to the mouth of the Ebro river. There my father put his mask on me for the first time and from that day I fell in love with the underwater world. Since then I always wanted to go fishing with my father and I have never stopped.
VP: What are your favorite spearfishing techniques and what kind of fish do you like to catch?
Juanvi Pérez: Well, depending on the time of the year I practice some more than others. In winter I usually wait and stalk to look for white seabream, amberjack, dentex… And on the other hand, in summer, when the waters are cleaner, I usually fish in the hole in search of a nice grouper.
Competitions and National Selection
VP: When did you start competing and why do you like to compete?
Juanvi Pérez: When I was 25 years old I participated in my first regional in Valencia, here in my community, where I got a 5th place. Since then I have not stopped participating. For me the competition is not only the day of the championship, it’s everything! The preparation, talking with friends about the day, seeing friends from all over Spain… and as I was told once …. take those friendships with you is the most beautiful thing about this sport!
VP: What are your next plans in terms of competitions?
Juanvi Pérez: The first step is the regional championship, which this year is in Valencia, being the home of a great spearfishermens and where it will be really difficult to face him. Even so, I hope to be among the top 3 and thus get the place for the Championship of Spain in Tenerife. If everything goes well, my goal is to make a good place in the national to continue contributing to the Spanish National Team.
VP: You have joined the Spanish national team and have been to Denmark, Tunisia and Turkey. What are your personal impressions and expectations regarding the national team?
Juanvi Pérez: Yes, since 2019 I have been called up 3 times as an assistant with the National Team, being one of the greatest rewards/experiences I have had as an helper. I grew up watching Xavi Blanco and Samuel Tomás rise to the top in national and international championships becoming references for me. Then I have been able to help, enjoy and learn with them the preparation of the Europe-African in Tunisia and Turkey. And now I can say that I have a great friendship with them! Regarding personal expectations I hope one day to have my chance as a starter in the national team, but meanwhile I will continue working and striving to make my dream come true.
Mares Team
VP: You are a Mares athlete, which Mares products do you particularly like?
Juanvi Pérez: I have been part of the Mares team for a little over a year now and I am really delighted with the treatment and affection I have received from the very first moment. I’ve been able to try practically all the material and and it’s never stopped impressing me, especially the wetsuits. For fishing, they meet all my expectations: elasticity, comfort and watertightness with the finishes. In addition to using them in my day to day work as a professional diver. On the other hand, the range of Strike spearguns is perfectly suited to my fishing style, having been the headliners in the last competitions and daily fishing trips.
VP: What has been your most special and emotional capture, and could you tell us a little bit about it?
Juanvi Pérez: This is by far the catch of my first big grouper, a grouper of 18kg, in one of the last fishing days where my father was my boatman. It was a September afternoon outing in Alicante, the water was calm and with a visibility of more than 20m. I started touching marks on 25/27m but there were no fish and taking advantage of the exceptional conditions we went to investigate. We hit some rocks at 32m and when I went down there it was. An accurate shot and in 2 drops I was able to get it on the boat. It was a unique feeling to see my father’s joy with such a big fish.
