Katya experienced spearfishing as one of the most challenging and sometimes uncomfortable sports by design. She found it amazing to explore the underwater landscape, especially in the beautiful surroundings of Alaska. The mountains, both above and below the water, fascinated her. Katya enjoyed the variety of fish she could target, from small to big, and sometimes with chum mixed in with sockeye. The sport offered fun on multiple levels.
Katya holds the world record for catching silver salmon with a pole spear, which is different from a spear gun. This unique tool lacks a trigger and doesn’t resemble a rifle. It involves a pole with a bungee at the end. She would put the bungee in her hand, pull back the pole about halfway, aim, and then release. A hit in the fish’s brain resulted in an instant kill, but if she missed, it could lead to a bit of a struggle.
While reflecting on her journey, Katya couldn't have predicted that nine years ago, during a tourist free
diving spearfishing day in Hawaii, spearfishing would become a significant part of her life. Now, it has
become a major sport in Alaska, a place known for its frigid waters and intimidating depths.
Katya's early life was marked by its uniqueness and nontraditional nature. Leaving home during her
teenage years, she lived out of her car and often stayed at friends' houses, sometimes with their
parents. Eventually, she graduated from high school and pursued a college education. Her early
independence fostered a willingness to dive into hobbies and sports where she felt entirely out of her
element. Regardless of her proficiency, she embraced the challenge.
Her earliest memory of catching a fish dates back to her five-year-old self in Russia, her home country.
She caught a flounder and vividly remembers the excitement and fear of losing it as it flopped around on
the deck. To ensure she kept the fish, Katya decided to lay down on top of it. This childhood memory of
a positive fishing experience continues to influence her adult life. She still enjoys embracing fish,
sometimes even giving them a smooch.
Katya also believes in expressing gratitude for the resources available. She acknowledges the
importance of respecting the ecosystem and the land of Indigenous communities that preserve it. The
resources are part of a larger cycle, and Katya emphasizes the need to treat them with respect and
appreciation.
