The WP Kleinbaai Bottom Fish Inter Provincial, August 2013
For 2013 the WP Kleinbaai Bottom Fish Inter Provincial was again hosted by Overberg Boat Club on behalf of Western Province. The entries to this year’s competition included four teams from WPDSAA – two senior teams, an U19 team, and a WPDSAA Barbarian Team – as well as BDSAA, NDSAA, EPDSAA and an EPDSAA Barbarian Team.
The Bottom Fish Inter Provincial is one of the more affordable comps on the circuit and, with fuel prices what they are at the moment, anglers were grateful and appreciative not to have to break the bank for a bit of competitive fishing. It is also one of the most family orientated events on the calendar. The little village of Kleinbaai, bordering on Gansbaai, was ready for the anglers as they arrived in their droves. The Overberg Boat Club surpassed themselves again this year in welcoming the competitors and hosting a spectacular event. Old friendships were rekindled and new bonds were formed during the tournament with the camaraderie among the anglers as strong as ever.
The opening night saw the capping of all the WPDSAA team members, including the two Barbarian teams, as well as the capping of the EPDSAA and NDSAA teams by their respective captains and representatives. Something that we feel very strongly about in WPDSAA is the recognition of our provincial anglers, the development of our youngsters and, ultimately, the development of the sport as a whole.
The fun and games started as the teams were introduced during the opening ceremony and DP Burger, WPDSAA inshore tournaments officer, did the boat draw for the teams. And when the anglers learned that the first day would be called off due to an adverse Cape Doctor, the party only escalated!
When the comp finally got underway, the WP ‘Great White’ Barbarian Team took the lead on Laurike 2, skippered by Ian Fourie, in wet and windy sea conditions. Hot on their tail was the WPDSAA Red Team on Blaasoppie skippered by Gustav Groenewald, the OBC chairman. And in third place were all the newly capped EPDSAA anglers.
