While most of Europe is wrapped in winter coats and grey skies, Mali Lošinj had its own rhythm.
The air felt lighter over the weekend. The sea was ever more inviting. And for a certain kind of person, the one who hears the call of spearfishing even when the holidays slow everything down, this time of year isn’t “off-season” at all.
It’s a gift.
This year, we had the privilege of joining one of the most iconic winter spearfishing events in the region: the 63rd New Year’s Cup in Underwater Spearfishing, a tradition that has been alive since 1959. And we didn’t come just to watch. We came to be part of it.
A winter tradition born in 1959
The story begins with the enthusiasts from SRD “Udica”, the organizers behind this long-running competition.
Their idea was simple, but brilliant from the 1st edition of the competition:
When much of Europe is covered in snow, Lošinj still offers mild weather and real sea conditions, which is the perfect chance to bring people together, attract visitors, and show the public what winter on the island can truly feel like.
That idea became reality in 1959, and decades later it’s still going strong.
The New Year’s Cup is not just an event. It’s a tradition that has grown into a meeting point for generations of spearfishers, a weekend where skill, discipline, and respect for the sea come first… but where the community vibe is just as important as the results.
Why ENOVAS came to Mali Lošinj
For ENOVAS, being present at Mali Lošinj wasn’t about “showing up” for a photo.
We came because this is exactly the kind of environment where our product belongs.
We’re the team behind the Scuba Line Retractor SLR25, a safety-focused innovation designed to keep your torpedo buoy aligned above you, effortlessly, so you can stay visible on the surface and move through the water with more flow and less distraction.
And if you want honest feedback, you don’t ask people who only go out on perfect summer days.
You bring the product to the people who live for this sport.
Mali Lošinj gathered exactly that kind of crowd: experienced spearfishers, serious competitors, and passionate sea people who know what works, and what doesn’t, the moment they touch the water.
More than a competition: the full weekend experience
One of the best parts of this event is that it’s not “just one day.”
It’s a full weekend experience, and every moment adds to the story.
The day before: registration & numbers draw
The energy starts early.
Competitors arrive, meet familiar faces, exchange quick updates, and then the numbers draw sets the tone, which triggers that mix of excitement, nerves, and focus you only feel before a real competition.
Competition day: sea time
This is where everything goes quiet. The sea becomes the only conversation.
From the very early morning, you can feel how seriously everyone takes it, not in an aggressive way, but in the way that says: I respect this sport, and I respect the ocean.
Evening: official weigh-in, results & celebration
After the water comes the moment everyone waits for: the official weigh-in, the announcement of the best teams, and the evening atmosphere that makes events like this special.
It’s competitive, yes. But it’s also warm, social, and full of stories, the kind that only exist when people share real time together, outside the noise of everyday life.
ENOVAS as a sponsor: rewarding the top 3 teams
We were proud to support the event as a sponsor, and we also had the honor of rewarding the top three teams with our product: the Scuba Line Retractor SLR25.
For us, this wasn’t just about visibility as a brand.
It was a way of saying:
We see this community. We respect this tradition. And we want to give something back to the people who keep it alive.
Because spearfishing isn’t a trend. It’s a lifestyle and a discipline.
And the people who do it right deserve gear that supports them, not gear that gets in the way. We came to change the mindset that spear-fishers need a rope to dive, well not anymore.
SLR25 in real conditions where it belongs
There’s a big difference between testing a product in theory and watching it perform in real life.
Mali Lošinj gave us exactly what we wanted: real water, for real movement and real feedback.
Instead of a basic rope, which is the “old way” of doing dives and hunting, the system uses a braided steel cable made from 8 micro-strands, built for safety, reliability, control, and a clean experience in the water.
Properly attached to the buoy on one end and the diver’s belt on the other, the device allows users to dedicate themselves to the hunt, not the equipment.
The purpose is simple:
- Keep your surface buoy aligned above you
- Improve surface visibility
- Reduce the “mess” of line management
- Support a smoother, safer flow, especially when conditions aren’t perfect
What we love most is when experienced spearfishers say the same thing in different words:
“It just makes sense.”
“It’s cleaner.”
“It feels natural.”
That’s the goal.
The best gear isn’t the one you notice all the time.
It’s the one that quietly works in the background, while you stay fully present in the hunt.
The Lošinj atmosphere: weather, sea, and the people
This weekend delivered the kind of conditions that make you remember why you fell in love with the sea in the first place.
The weather was ideal, the water felt alive, and the island gave everyone that special winter energy: calm, clear, and focused.
It truly was, as we felt it:
An unforgettable weekend at the 63rd New Year’s Cup in Underwater Spearfishing, held in Mali Lošinj, and what a way to wrap up the year.
This wasn’t just about the catches. It was about the longstanding tradition and the people, local and foreign, brought together for the occasion.
The shared moments on the boat, on the dock, and in the sea. And that’s something you can’t fake. You have to be there to feel it.
Networking that feels real (because it is)
Events like this remind us why community matters more than algorithms ever will.
Being present on Lošinj gave us the chance to meet new people, reconnect with familiar faces, and build relationships that go beyond business.
Of course, it’s also an opportunity for future partnerships, and we’re always open to them.
But the best part is simpler:
When you spend time with the right people, good things naturally follow.
That’s how trust is built in this world.
Not through big promises, but through real conversations and shared experiences.
Three things we’re taking with us from Mali Lošinj
1) Tradition keeps the sport alive
A competition that started in 1959 still matters today, because it carries something deeper than results.
2) Real testing beats perfect marketing
The best feedback comes from people who spend real time in the water, in real conditions.
3) The sea connects people
Spearfishing has its own language. And when you’re around those who speak it, you instantly feel at home.
What’s next for ENOVAS
Mali Lošinj was more than an event for us; it was confirmation that we’re building in the right direction.
Our focus remains clear:
- Mediterranean first (where this lifestyle is deeply rooted)
- USA next (a major goal we’re working toward)
- Asia later (as we grow and expand the community)
But no matter where we go, we’ll keep the same approach:
Show up. Test in real life. Listen to the community. Build gear that truly belongs in the water.
Thank you, Mali Lošinj, and see you in the sea
A big thank you to SRD “Udica” for keeping this tradition alive, and to every competitor and guest who made the weekend what it was.
Congratulations to the top teams (they did come up with 200kg+ of seafood after all), and respect to everyone who showed up and did it the right way.
If you’re part of the spearfishing community and you’re curious about the Scuba Line Retractor SLR25, feel free to reach out. We’re always open to honest feedback, real testing, and connecting with people who live this lifestyle for real.