Wayde was born and raised on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. As a young teenager, Waydes 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, Waydes 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, Waydes 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. Omers 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