2026 URT Lob Off Recap: The Most Brutal Year Yet

30+ Divers. 90 Minutes. 5 Lobsters. 2 Victors.

Hurricane Rachel was rearing her ugly head, and the Pacific was in no mood to negotiate.

But bad weather has never stopped a bad idea.

Over 30 divers descended upon Garbage Beach at Sunset Cliffs in San Diego for the 16th Annual URT Lob Off Freedive Lobster Grab Competition, each willing to brave the elements for a shot at glory and the highly coveted URT Lob Off Trophy.

The conditions were unforgiving. The ocean was angry. Visibility was questionable. And somewhere beneath the chaos, the bugs were holding their ground.

For 90 grueling minutes, competitors battled the surge, the swell, and whatever else Mother Nature decided to throw their way. Every dive was earned. Every breath counted. And every lobster was a small victory against an ocean determined to keep its own.

When the dust settled and the divers emerged from the depths, the numbers told the story.

Over 30 divers entered. Only two emerged with lobster in their bags. A grand total of five legal bugs were taken.  Richard Cardet had two of those lobsters at 1.225 and 1.165 pounds.  Our winner was Kevin Hansen who caught an amazing THREE bugs at 1.390, 1.215, and 1.275 pounds.  He was also the winner of our BIG BUG award.

Sixteen years of Lob Off history, and this one may have been the most brutal yet.

But that’s what makes the Lob Off what it is. Not the easy catches or the perfect conditions. It’s the willingness to charge headfirst into the chaos, knowing full well you might come home with nothing but saltwater in your sinuses and a bruised ego.

To the two victorious divers, enjoy your place in Lob Off history. To everyone else, the ocean has graciously offered you another 364 days to reconsider your strategy.

A massive thank you to our sponsors, JBL Spearguns and Florence Marine X, for supporting the madness and helping keep this tradition alive.