Note: To view the group of photographs, click on the first one to enlarge it. Use the arrows to navigate the slideshow. Press ‘escape’ to return to the blog post. On your phone, swipe to view each photo and tap the ‘x’ to return to the blog post. You may also need to tap the information icon to view the captions.

This February, Struisbaai will once again host one of its most cherished traditions—the Two Oceans Marlin Tournament, now celebrating its 20th year! From 21 to 27 February, anglers from across South Africa will gather for a week of excitement, camaraderie, and unforgettable moments on the water.

What makes this tournament truly special is its independent spirit. Unlike most competitions, the Two Oceans Marlin Tournament is not affiliated with Western Province or SADSSA. Instead, it’s run by the anglers themselves, with rules and decisions shaped by those who participate year after year. This unique approach has fostered a close-knit community, with many of the same boats and teams returning annually, building friendships and traditions that last well beyond the final function.

The tournament’s roots trace back to the late Meirion Williams of Huckfin fame, who, inspired by a conversation with local fisherman Trail Whitthuhn, envisioned an event to study and celebrate the marlin population in the Agulhas area. Thanks to the dedication of contributors like Gawie Bruwer, Hannes Schreuder, Gerard De Kock, Johan Jooste, Andrew Perrins and Johan van der Walt, the idea became a reality.
Safety has always been central to the event, with Andrew returning from the UK each year and working alongside local experts such as Trevor Brinch and Earl Fenwick to keep operations running smoothly and radio communications firmly under control.

Before a permanent aerial was installed on the high site, Realty 1 Agulhas (now Chas Everitt) sponsored a caravan on the Agulhas mountain, where Andrew managed the Marlin Control operations. Temporary aerials were used in the years that followed, but a permanent installation has now been in place for some time.

The Two Oceans Marlin Tournament is an invitational, no-kill, measure-and-release event. Anglers present video evidence of their catches, and points are awarded. In 2021, there was a tie. The rule now states that if the points are even, the boat that catches the last marlin of the week will be declared the winner.

The first tournament was held in 2007 and began modestly with just seven boats taking part: Gawie Bruwer’s Indiogo, Andrew van Zyl’s Gwaza, Meirion Williams’s Huckfin, Hannes Schreider’s Jumbo-Jumbo, The Rawbone‑Viljoen brothers’ Midnight Blue, Johan Jooste’s Three Js, and Nico Schmidt’s Monique.

Fittingly, the inaugural winner was Huckfin, owned by the tournament’s founder, the late Meirion Williams. In 2009, Indigo claimed victory, and Gawie has entered the tournament every year since 2007. After the initial fleet of seven boats, entries jumped to 23 in 2008. Participation peaked at 39 boats in both 2011 and 2014, though most years see between 18 and 25 entrants. As we count down to this year’s milestone event, we’ll be sharing stories, photos, and memorable moments from the past two decades.

Each year, Amanda Bruwer designs a playful TOMT flag, and the previous year’s flag is auctioned off to the highest bidder. Here are three examples from past tournaments.

This is the first in a series of posts counting down to this year’s tournament. The next instalment will appear on Monday, followed by daily posts until 21 February. After that, you can look forward to regular updates as the Twentieth Two Oceans Marlin Tournament unfolds.