The Helldivers' Rodeo: A Deadly, Extreme, Scuba-Diving, Spear Fishing Adventure Amid the Offshore Oil-Platforms in the Murky Waters of the Gulf of Mexico

As a diver and avid spearfisherman I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book from start to finish. Humberto expertly illustrates the essence of what it takes to dive on an oil platform. This aspect of scuba diving is definitely not for the faint at heart. His light humor throughout the book as he describes his dive buddies, friends, and adventures keeps your attention and adds to the story. I've never dived on an oil platform or "rig" as they are called, but after reading the book and hearing about all the big fish lurking below, I'm looking into making a trip to good ole Louisiana. Although he describes hunting 100 lbs plus fish, I'd settle for the 30 pounders. His stories of murky waters, sharks, eels, and angry trigger fish make you think twice about actually diving in, but hey, that is what makes for great diving stories. My hat off to Humberto. I only wish his book had more stories...at 203 pages, my appetite was just getting wet.

This book is about the Cuban-American author's adventures hunting fish in the waters around oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. Yes, hunting fish, with a speargun, not a hook and line. And these are generally BIG fish, big ugly fish, mean fish that can drown the diver. The author and his compadres get drunk and crazy after they dive and you feel like you're right there sitting in the sand with them by a campfire on the beach drawing on some rum and listening. Really a fantastic adventure book about a bizarre sporting concept that would fit Col Jeff Cooper's meme of of a virile "bloodsport" perfectly, and perfectly amuses the reader.if you're on your way to a trip in Florida one could hardly find much better to read en vacances.

Enjoying the read, shipped fast

This is one of those books that is both entertaining and educational. Maybe better to say down right funny and dog-gone informative. Whether you dive, spearfish, fish, have ever seen an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, or just like good stories, this is a must and a great read.

Funny book and as a scuba diving spear fisherman myself it's incredibly interesting. If you've followed the advice of PADI/SSI/DAN and other training agencies like I have you won't hardly be able to believe the kinds of dives these guys make on a regular basis and live to talk about!

The Helldivers club was a club first started initially to go snorkeling in the area of Louisiana as the area did not have the environment that attracted very many fish. The author who was a member of this club describes how the oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico helped create an environment that was or is comparable to reefs with a large quantity of fish and sharks and some very large ones in the area of 300 lbs. The touch on how with the development of diving gear help make a new sport of spear fishing. A sport where with trying to get the biggest fish or shark you can get with trying to avoid the many dangers that could easily result in your death. I thought it was humorous how they found a new use for their disco clothes. The book at many times through the book it felt at the level of being sophomoric or way too much machismo involved. But give it a read and see what you think one thing for sure these guys where crazy.

I'm from Louisiana and recently started spearfishing so I know I'm biased, but I enjoyed this book about as much as anything I've ever read.

I seriously enjoyed this book, and it appealed to me on several levels. Let me explain:- I am a hunter, fisherman and spearfisherman. This book contains spearfishing anecdotes and stories that go between hilarious and tragic. The tone is very much in the style of somebody who is a little drunk at the hunting camp or fishing boat and starts telling stories. Immensely satisfying.-I scuba dive, and basically this book is a list of everything YOU SHOULD NOT DO. How the men live (fyi some don't) I have no idea. On the other hand, it is inspirational and fun in a way. Kind of like an action movie. You never want to drive like they do in the car chase, but it's fun to watch.-I am originally from the Southeastern United States. This book really touched home on a number of aspects. His description of Louisiana is spot on.Those three things together made this a great book to me. It didn't get five stars, because I think one more pass through the editor might have been helpful as it was a bit disjointed.