Ski boat angling tourney returns

The 25th annual Penguin Angling Club public open ski boat tournament makes a return after an absence of nine years on 30 December.

The chairperson of the angling club and event organizer, Allan Langenstrassen, said that the event to be hosted at Platz am Meer in Swakopmund is part of the club's fundraising activities and has always been a great attraction for tourists and holiday-makers. “In the past the ski boat event has been a great success, attracting numerous spectators. The tournament normally attracts some 240 anglers on 40 boats. The tournament starts at 08:00 and concludes at 13:00. The competition only caters for edible fish (bottom fish) and game fish, with awards for only the heaviest fish in all categories. Sharks are excluded from this competition to reduce wastage and overfishing.”

Depending on the condition of the sea, boats could possibly come in at the Mole basin with the weigh in taking pace at Platz am Meer.

Langenstrassen said that it is difficult to predict a possible outcome for this year's tournament. “Our target is to attract 40 ski boats and we will also be hosting a few other activities during the course of the day, including a hole-in-one golf challenge, Miss Platz am Meer, Miss Tiny Tots, Mr Beer Belly, and a mini fishing competition at the Platz am Meer basin – with great prizes to be won sponsored by shop owners from Platz am Meer.”

Entertainment and refreshments for young and old will be available throughout the day, all of which are organized by the Penguin and Platz am Meer committee. All proceeds will be utilised to support anglers and the development of the Organised Namibian Sport of Angling on club, national, and international levels.

Langenstrassen asked for an indication from interested persons whether they would like to participate in the event as soon as possible so that the organising committee has sufficient time to ensure maximum exposure of all the sponsors. “Should you require additional information or have certain requests or proposals, kindly contact me or any other of the Penguin Angling Club members.”

He encouraged boat owners and anglers to take part in the event so that the tournament legacy can continue to live on for many years to come.

Twenty-seven boats participated with more than 100 anglers in the last competition with a prize pot of N$4 000 hosted in 2012. Hanjo Doll's garrick of 4,47 kg in the game-fish category and Russell Powell's kob of 3,08 kg in the bottom-fish category emerged as the winners.



Prizes

Open ski boat tournament

1. Biggest fish of the day (main prize): N$45 000

2. Edible species: N$10 000 (1st), N$5 000 (2nd) and N$3 000 (3rd)

3. Game fish species: N$10 000 (1st), N$5 000 (2nd) and N$3 000 (3rd)

4. Skipper of the day: N$3 000



Activities

1. Hole-in-one golf challenge: N$2 500

2. Miss Platz am Meer: 1st N$1 500, 2nd N$750 and 3rd N$250

3. Miss Tiny Tots: 1st N$750, 2nd N$500 and 3rd N$250

4. Mr Beer Belly: 1st N$1 500, 2nd N$750 and 3rd N$250

5. Mini fishing competition at Platz am Meer basin: 1st N$1 500, 2nd N$750 and 3rd N$250.