The Helldivers' Rodeo: A Deadly, X-Treme, Scuba-Diving, Spearfishing, Adventure Amid the Off Shore Oil Platforms in the Murky Waters of the Gulf of Mexico Hardcover – April 24, 2001

This is probably one of the most enjoyable books I have read in the last five years. The author and his cohorts are definitely brave, almost certainly missing a few screws and possibly suicidal, but they enjoy what they are doing so much that after a while the insanity of it all doesn't seem to matter. Stories about divers diving with football helmets so they don't get knocked out on the steel beams of the oil rig and the stalking of sharks (!!) in the opaque murk at the bottom of the sea floor would seem farcical or just stupid coming from almost anyone else, but when Fontova writes it is riveting, believable and also hilarious.Fontova is often brutally honest about the risks that the rig-divers take. While his writing clearly expresses the enjoyment and thrill of this type of spear fishing, he does not try to glorify it or to imply that it is safe or easy or simple, because it is none of those things.One of the best things about this book is also one of the most unexpected: it's not just about hunting, it's about everything else too. In between the stories about the dives, Fontova talks about south Louisiana culture, the workings and modification of spear guns, the theory of operation behind scuba gear, the rules for how deep and how long it is considered safe to dive (after which he talks about how the rig divers exceed all limits of safety or even common sense on their dives), the dynamics of the mixing of the Mississippi River water with the Gulf of Mexico water, a brief history of oil rigs, basic fish anatomy and the types and temperament of fish seen around the rigs, why Jacques Cousteau once gave a talk at a local dive shop, a first-person perspective on Che Guevera, and dozens of other things besides.This is really an excellent book that I have recommended and will continue to recommend to family and friends. The only people who probably won't like it are anti-hunting activists and those that feel Prohibition should never have been repealed. Aside from them, it has something for everyone.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Dated diving tales of silly dangerous heroics. Not worth reading.