Port Alfred Rock & Surf Club members reeled in some big awards at the club’s annual prize-giving at the Royal PA Golf Club on Friday August 16.
The club’s prize-winners in the presence of sponsors and invited guests, received awards in the U16, U21, seniors, ladies, masters, and grand masters sections. The club participates on a catch-and-release basis only.
Chairperson Gary du Randt told guests the club had grown to 90 members and there was an effort underway to grow the club “so that the younger crowd can take over from the stalwarts”.
Du Randt thanked main sponsors Buco and Pick n Pay and others who continue to support the club. “To all of you who have stuck by us, I want to say a big thank you for supporting Port Alfred Rock & Surf with your generous sponsorship.”
He reserved a special thanks to partners, wives and husbands and “significant others” for support of anglers. “I know the season takes a lot of Saturdays away from family time, but it’s a way to support your partner’s passion for fishing. It’s also very awesome to see many of you joining the festivities after the day’s fishing.
“And, the weather man; what can I say – let’s not even go there … we can’t always predict what it will turn out like as we have to plan the days a year in advance. That being said, I urge you all to fish and continue to fish throughout the season no matter who is leading the board. You never know what can happen. There is always a tendency to slack off towards the end of the season, but let’s change the mindset and try that little bit harder,” he added.
“You may not win your round, but the socializing after, and just your attendance possibly gets you a prize.”
Du Randt said club members had caught 997 fish with 19 different species with a total weight of 1037kg. “Fun fact, taking the numbers of anglers who caught those fish, working on and average of 4km per person a total distance of 1,468km.”
Du Randt said the club had achieved 16 new club records in the past season.
Some of the fish caught for the season are: 395 Bronze Beam (446kg); 246 Blacktail (177kg); Zebra 77 (71kg); Cob 63 (106); Steenie 75 (72kg).
“Our number of league anglers have reduced, but with that been said look at what they achieved, and did really well under the captaincy of Darian Keeton with the following results: species winners: Danielson Scheepers (Cob 10.9kg); Woman angler with most points Monique Janse van Rensburg (301.6kg); top poenskop caught Darian Keeton; heaviest total non edible and junior heaviest non edible Ethan Janse van Rensburg and heaviest total edible and senior heaviest edible: Heindrich Janse Van Rensburg.”
“If you want to claim a club record you need to be a club member.
“If you want to claim an EP record you need to affiliate. To claim a South African record you need to affiliate and be a member of EP and your home club,” du Randt added.
Du Randt thanked his committee “for standing with me and helping to make the club the success that it is. Remember a tough day’s fishing is far better than a hard day in the office.
“On that note I wish you all a great season ahead and always remember to help each other when the time comes.”
- This article was first published in Talk of the Town, August 22, 2024. The newspaper serving the communities of Ndlambe and the Sunshine Coast, with a weekly wrap of Makhanda news, is available at stores from early on Thursdays.
