On Saturday, 22^nd September, the Marlin Skiboat club in Port Edward held the 2^nd Marlin Underwater Fishing “Spearfishing” Champs. In a slight change from last year, this year’s comp was to award prizes on a “biggest” fish gamie or bottom. Only 3 main prizes were allocated with the rest being awarded on a lucky draw.

Despite the trepidations of it being equinox, huge swells, gale South Westerlies and dirty water the week before threatening the comp, from Wednesday the conditions started improving with the weather sites changing their predictions more than our politicians change parties.

On Saturday morning a moderate to fresh SW of around 15 knots made it imperative to get into the water quickly. The prediction was for a 30 – 35 knot SW for the afternoon.

This never materialised and instead, the wind had all but died down in the afternoon and the dreaded Equinox storm was nothing more than that in a tea cup. Several divers launched boats in their attempts but again it was the shore divers proving succesfull.

Port Edward proved to be the spot where the big Garrick where hiding and here the winning fish was shot by Cornelis Fourie, a 10.5kg Garrick. However in a twist to the tale, Paul Smith shot a 10.5kg Kob (Daga Salmon) at Glenmore. This must be one of the first times that a comp was going to have a tie like this and obviously presented a bit of a nightmare for the prize allocations. Quick adjustments were made and everything sorted out. 3^rd place went to Kevin Williams who managed a 10.3kg Garrick (maybe he should have let his fish soak in fresh water for a while before the weigh-in, hehehe)

The intention of the Marlin Skiboat Club is to also have a big family involvement in this comp. The organisers also had T-Shirts for the juniors and with the T-shirts proclaiming “Spearo in training” the dad’s had better not rest on their laurels too easily. This is definitely an example to other comps highlighting the need for family involvement. We have to follow sports such as golf otherwise we will see the numbers of competitive spearos dwindle to unsustainable levels.

The organisers would like to thank Marlin Skiboat Club for their association and willingness to help. Gary and Lindy Bircher worked tirelessly in their efforts to get this comp running and have really made a success and hopefully a permanent fixture on the Underwater Fishing Calendar.

The comp also could not have taken place without the contribution of the following sponsors whose donations are what made this comp possible. They are:

Deo Volente Properties

Rob Allen

Lizzard Wetsuits

Motique Toyota (Kokstad), and,

Coastland’s Church in what must be a first for Underwater Fishing.

Thanks and good diving to all.

Corry Versluis

SAUFF Records Custodian