Wayde was born and raised on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. As a young teenager, Wayde's love for the ocean began with surfing, were he discovered that spending time in the ocean did something for him. The ocean had a calming and balancing effect on him. It was as if it brought his mind, body and spirit together as one. This helped Wayde easily transition under water as he was introduced to freedive spear fishing by his cousin. A subsistence spearfisher at heart, Wayde spent years studying his pray and honing his skills. As the islands were introduced to a wider selection of spearfishing equipment, Wayde recognized Omer as one of the leading equipment manufacturers noticing that year after year constant improvements were made to their existing quality product line. In 1996 competition freedive spearfishing was quickly becoming a very popular and celebrated sport in Hawaii. Wayde entered his first spearfishing competition that same year as he qualified to represent Hawaii in the 1996 US National Spearfishing Championship held at Mokuleia beach Hawaii. In his very first national competition, Wayde's team placed 4th and his individual score placed him 5th over all. This marked the beginning of his quest to become one of the best spearfishers in Hawaii and the nation. After over a decade of local, national, and international competitive spearfishing, Wayde's competition record speaks of his dedication to perform at his full potential and always strive to be the best. He understands the importance of quality spearfishing equipment in attaining these goals. With quality comes performance, durability and confidence. Omer's quality is second to none and their relentless drive to be the best in the industry is evident by their innovative and extensive product line. Wayde believes that Omer spearfishing equipment can help any spearfisher realize their full potential whether it be competitive or subsistence spearfishing.
COMPETITION HIGHLIGHTS
YEAR EVENT PLACING
1996 US Nationals Mokuleia Hawaii 4th Team/5th Individual
1997 US Nationals Leo Carillo Malibu CA. 5th Team
1997 YMCA Sonny Tanabe Invitational 3rd Total weight
1998 USA World Team Diver Position 5th
1998 Northshore Spearfishing Classic 1st Total Weight
1998 YMCA Sonny Tanabe Invitational 2nd Total Weight
1999 Lanai Pineapple Festival Spearfishing Tourn. 1st
1999 US Nationals Islamorda Florida 1st Team/1st Individual
1999 IUSA Spearfishing Athlete Of The Year Award
1999 YMCA Sonny Tanabe Invitational (Team Format) 3rd
2000 US Nationals Russian Gulch Mendocino CA. 7th Team
2000 YMCA Sonny Tanabe Invitational (Team Format) 2nd
2001 Northshore Spearfishing Classic 2nd Total Weight (Gun Div.)
2001 YMCA Sonny Tanabe Invitational (Team Format) 1st
2002 International Pacific Championships Bora Bora Tahiti 3rd Team
2002 YMCA Sonny Tanabe Invitational (Team Format) 2nd
2003 1st Annual Na Koa O Ke Kai fundraiser meet 1st Total weight
2003 Hawaii Skin Diver Open 1st
2003 US Nationals Jamestown Rhode Island 4th Team/ 4th Individual
2004 US Nationals Haleiwa Hawaii 2nd Individual
2005 US Nationals Table Rock Lake Missouri 8th Team
2005 Northshore Spearfishing Classic (3 Prong) 1st Largest Fish
2005 North American World Championship Elim. Lima Peru 5th Team
2006 USA World Team Diver Position 2nd
2006 World Spearfishing Championship Sines Portugual 10th Team
2006 1st Annual Gene Higa Memorial Tournament 1st Team (3 Prong Div.)
2006 Northshore Spearfishing Classic 1st Total weight (gun division)
2006 Fall Shoot Out 4th Team
2008 3rd Annual Gene Higa Memorial 4th Team