After more than twenty years of working with the same brand, Andrea Calvino has decided to make a change and join the Cetma Composites team. We met with him to understand what motivated this important decision.

Andrea, I imagine it wasn't an easy decision. When did you realize it was time for a change?

"Emotionally, it wasn't easy because C4 had become like a second family to me. I realized it was time to move on when, for the first time, I no longer felt inspired to create content for the company."

What kind of relationship had developed between you and the company after working together for so many years?

"It was built on mutual trust and friendship that went beyond work."

Do you see this change as mainly a technical decision, a personal one, or simply the natural evolution of your journey in spearfishing?

"First and foremost, it's a personal decision because Cetma Composites represents my idea of spearfishing equipment better than anyone else."

What did you find in your new brand that ultimately convinced you to take this step?

"A combination of many things. First of all, it's a completely Italian company made up of engineers who are passionate about freediving and spearfishing. They design products with an exceptionally high technical standard, paying attention to every detail, and everything is manufactured in-house, giving them full control over every stage of production."

From an equipment standpoint, what features do you now consider essential that perhaps weren't as important thirty years ago?

"Thirty years ago, the sea was completely different—it was much richer in fish, and during a single outing you had many more opportunities to make a catch. Today, encountering a trophy fish is much rarer, which is why having flawless, high-performance equipment is essential if you want to make the most of that one opportunity—if you're lucky enough to get it."

Spearfishing has changed a lot over the years. In your opinion, what have been the most significant technical developments you've experienced firsthand?

"The biggest revolution has been electronic cartography and GPS. Having to line up landmarks on shore without a clear visual understanding of the seabed made diving a thousand times more difficult—and looking back, that was actually a good thing. Next, I'd mention modern side-scan sonar and bow-mounted electric trolling motors. As for spearfishing equipment, carbon fiber fins and roller systems on spearguns have been game changers."

The mindset of spearfishermen has also changed: more technical, more selective, perhaps more aware. Do you agree with that?

"Yes. Fortunately, the trend is gradually shifting toward taking a single quality fish rather than filling a stringer with many fish. As I mentioned before, the sea is much poorer today, so it naturally requires a different approach. Personally, making a catch is no longer as important to me as it was years ago. I've learned to enjoy every moment and every aspect of being at sea. Even simply spotting a fish or discovering a new detail—a small piece of knowledge that adds to my experience—is enough to make me come home satisfied."

Which style of spearfishing feels most like your own today? Bottom holes, ambush, waiting, deep diving... and how has that changed since your early days?

"Hole hunting shaped me over the years. It taught me patience, observation, and the ability to read the seabed—qualities that make all the difference. Today, however, I feel I've moved beyond that stage. Although I still practice it, it's the technique that gives me the least satisfaction. Waiting and ambush techniques are my favorites because they still excite me. Being able to fool a beautiful fish into coming within range and admiring it in all its majesty in open water before pulling the trigger is simply unmatched."

If you had to choose the species that best represent your journey as a spearfisherman, which would they be, and why?

"The white seabream represents the first phase of my career, including my years in competition. It's the species I've hunted more than any other. The grouper defined my second phase because it constantly challenged my technical skills, both in locating it and landing it. I always tried to stone-shot it so I could extract it safely and without unnecessary effort. Today, though, I feel I'm in yet another phase. What really interests me now is hunting large pelagic fish—amberjack or dentex—in open water. Everything else has become more of a fallback option that no longer gives me the same satisfaction."

How important are research into materials, hydrodynamics, balance, and technique today?

"More important than ever. We need to feel completely at ease in the water. Our equipment has to be perfect and deliver extraordinary performance if we want to capitalize on the few opportunities we'll encounter."

Changing brands after so many years also means putting yourself back on the line. Do you still feel you're growing as an athlete?

"I've been done with competitions for years, and I don't regret that decision at all. My competitive spirit has faded—not just in spearfishing, but in every aspect of life. What I do feel is an enormous drive to keep going to sea on my own. I feel more like an aquatic creature than a terrestrial one, which is why I simply couldn't stay away from the water for very long."

Looking ahead, what motivates you most: technical challenges, exploring new spots, or passing your experience on to younger generations?

"Sharing and documenting my passion through videos is a huge source of motivation. Technical challenges and exploration are at the very core of my philosophy of spearfishing, so I don't think I need to add anything more."

What message would you like to give to young people who are approaching this discipline today?

*"We live in a society that bombards us with information, and as a result our attention spans are collapsing. That's why spearfishing and freediving are more important than ever: they teach us observation, listening, and presence. They cultivate the sensitivity to truly listen to ourselves, something that is becoming increasingly rare. If you see spearfishing only as a way to catch fish, you'll probably end up disappointed and quit before long. But if you embrace it as a school of life—something that shapes your character and helps you grow—it will give you far more than you could ever imagine."