Category Archives: fishing

Western Province Deep Sea Angling Association Prize Giving

The Western Province Deep Sea Association Prize-giving took place at The Cape Boat and Ski-boat Club on Saturday 27 July 2024. Thank you to Colleen Pulcella manageress of CBSBC and her team for organising an excellent lunch for the occasion and to Sonja Marais, secretary of WPDSAA and her team for organising this event.

Roger Marais, vice chairman of WPDSAA was the master of ceremonies and he introduced, Chris Schorn, president of SADSAA and DP Burger president of WPDSAA who both said a few words.

First, the Inshore winners were called up to receive their trophies and certificates.
It was heartwarming to see the juniors doing so well. Mickyle Vermaak (Lollie) received several awards as did young Julia Twine.

Click on the first photograph in each gallery then use arrows to see a full-size slide show. Press escape to return the blog post.

Cash prizes were presented to anglers who caught the biggest species during League Competition.

 The prizes for the Offshore League were handed out by Daniel Hughes

DP Burger, president of WPDSAA presented the Merit Certificates and Skipper Awards. Teams were called up as a group but some participants were not present at the event. The names of those in the photos are in bold print.

Cash prizes for the biggest species caught offshore were presented by Daniel Hughes.

Chris Schorn handed out certificates to anglers who received SADSAA colours.

Protea colours during 2023 were presented to the following anglers:
Chris Pike and Coin Joubert who participated in the Cape Town Tuna Interanionals in Hout Bay.
Philip van der Walt who participated in The Seventy-First Hemmingway Tournament in Cuba
DP Burger who participated in the EFSA Species Championship in Weymouth England.
Robin Vermaak who participated in the IBT Puerto Rico competition

Those who received SADSAA colours in 2023 were as follows:
SADSAA Bottom Fish Nationals at Kenton On Sea  Dp Burger and Divan Burger (U21)
SADSAA COLOURS – SADSAA TEAMS FOR 2023
Piet Wessels –  Heavy Tackle Billfish Nationals
Hubert Meyer -SADSAA Heavey Tackle Bill Fish Nationals Masters Team
Arrie Burger-2023 SADSAA Tuna Nationals  

Peter Catzavalos, the Records Officer handed out awards for record fish caught.

DP Burger presented a few special awards

This year there was also a special presentation of Springbok and Protea Caps to all those who received their colours up to 2022.

The protea flower has been the emblem for all national teams of South Africa since 1994. Before that, it was the Springbok. Earl Fenwick was the fourteenth Springbok fisherman in South Africa and therefore received a Springbok cap while the others received Protea caps.

DP Burger, president of WPSDSAA presented the caps and paid tribute to Earl Fenwick who is now eighty years old and first earned his colours in 1970. He commended Earl for his never-ending contributions to the sport, not only in competitions but also in his hard work behind the scenes for his club, his province, and his country. He was the first to be capped and as he returned to his seat he received a standing ovation. The caps were presented by Chris Schorn, SADSAA President.

Those who were unable to attend were Ian Robinson (510) Patrick Christodoulou (1138) Nishaad Ibrahim (1590) and Colin Joubert (1867)

The proceedings ended with Chris Schorn presenting Warwick Ford, the Chairman of Cape Boat and Ski-boat Club, with a SADSAA Flag to be displayed in the clubhouse.

The 2024 SADSAA International and National Bottom Fish Tournament – Opening Day

Friday, 26 April 2024

Today was registration day for The Bottom Fish International and National Tournament, hosted by Struisbaai Deep Sea Angling Club.

An amazing brochure filled with information regarding the events of the week, the rules of the competition and details of the boats, skippers and competitors was given to each competitor.

 Each angler received a goodie pack filled with some amazing treasures and the skipper of each boat received a cooler bag filled with gifts.

Thanks to the generous sponsors without whom such a tournament would not be possible.  The following sponsored this year’s Bottom Fish Tournament.

Harcourts, Afrimat, Africooler, Body Zone, Sceptre Fishing, Harbour Café Struisbaai, Fresh Stop Struisbaai, Astron Struisbaai,  Khulu Projects, NSRI Station 30 Agulhas, Viking Fishing, Glenwood Wines Franschoek, Struisbaai Angling Shop,  Link Sports, Hugeunot Valley Natural Spring Water.

This morning the International Teams registered and received their brochures and goodie bags, Click on the first photo of each gallery to enlarge, then use arrows to see a slide show. Press escape to return to the blog.

At 4 pm it was the turn of the National Teams to register. Some were already dressed formally for the opening function later in the evening while others were still in casual attire.

Before the Opening Function began all the teams gathered together on the pier and with their respective flags held high they marched in procession to Struisbaai Harbour Café who catered a delicious dinner.   As they entered they planted their flags and then took their seats at the beautifully set tables.   It was really a grand affair.  

Below are the photos of the parade Click on the first one to enlarge and watch a slide show.

Once everyone had found their places they stood to attention while the National Anthems of South Africa, Gibraltar and Iceland were played.

Roger Marais, the chairman of the Struisbaai Deep Sea Angling Club, welcomed everybody to the International and National Bottom Fish Tournament, said grace and then introduced some dignitaries who each gave a speech.

Chris Schorn and Nick Nel (SADSAA Tournament Officer) then began the capping ceremony. It was touching to see how many members of the same family were representing their province or country and the fathers were invited to help their sons or daughters into their blazers for the first time. The Gerber family had three members participating this year. Dad, Wayne was in the Barbarian team, Mom, Sheena captained the SADSAA Ladies’ team and son Christopher fished in SADSAA Men’s Seniors. John Leuf has certainly had a great influence on his daughter Jacqueline’s fishing career and it was his honour to help her into her Protea Blazer.

Special mention was made about Earl Fenwick who received Springbok colours for fishing in 1971 and 1972. He is approaching his 80th birthday but is still actively involved in the fishing fraternity. The dress code insisted that one wear their highest colours and he proudly wore his Springbok blazer. 

An original Fishing Springbok

Once the honours had been presented dinner was served and the party began.  Old friends reconnected and a great time was had by all.