As a fund-raising effort to build a bigger church, the Evangelies Gerefor-meerde Kerk in Jeffreys Bay is hosting their first fishing competition, which began on October 1 and will continue until November 30.
According to Ds Ruan van Vuuren from the Evangelies Gereformeerde Kerk, the church is currently in the process of hosting their first fishing competition which operates on a ‘catch and release’ basis.
He said what made the competition unique was that the fish did not have to be weighed.
“The anglers are only required to send a picture of the fish and the dimensions which will be sufficient,” said Van Vuuren.
“The dimensions include the measurement of the fish from tail to mouth.”
To enter the competition, anglers are required to buy a ticket for R200 and catch and release fish from Sondagsri- vier to Eersterivier which will see the winners walking away with prizes worth R30 000.
The prizes will include, an offshore boat fishing charter for the biggest cob, R1 000 DIY voucher for the biggest shad and R2 000 each for the biggest white steenbras, biggest garrick and biggest spotted grunter.
There will also be R3 000 for the biggest musselcracker, one warthog carcass for the biggest non-edible and R1 000 for the biggest galjoen.
Van Vuuren said the monetary prize is sponsored by the Evangelies Gereformeerde Kerk while the additional prizes have been sponsored by local businesses which will be awarded on a raffle basis to people who have purchased tickets.
He further said to enter the lucky draw, participants do not have to catch a fish, and that the only requirement is to buy a ticket.
Van Vuuren said through the fishing competition they hope to make their contribution to Jeffreys Bay as a holiday destination by hosting the event annually.
“We are looking forward to making a success of this competition. We want it to be a joyful event for everybody so that people will look forward to the next competition as a yearly event,” said Van Vuuren.
He said since the competition began on October 1, they have received a fair number of entries but they are looking forward to more entries to not only break-even but make a bit of money for the church.
“The church has decided to host this event because we aspire to build a church in Jeffreys Bay in the future,” said Van Vuuren.
He said the winners will be announced and the prizes handed over on December 3 at the Newton Hall in Jeffreys Bay.
On the same day the Evangelies Gereformeerde Kerk will also host a market day where there will be food, a variety of goods and reasonably priced meat on sale.
The sponsors include Strandloper, RMI.Exterior Pro, Ozzies, Clubmans Haar Salon, Pitout, Gisters, Vismandjie, Kospot, Hair by Suné, JB Beach Off-Sales, The Loving Home, Angling and Marine, Sheer Beauty Hairdressers, DIY, Spoedglas, Smiley Kids, Theresa Human, CC Prints/Light Laundry and Jackie Rautenbach (Tupperware).
To purchase a ticket or to send a picture of your fish along with the dimensions, send a WhatsApp message to Uys Joint on 072 804 3999, Ds Ruan van Vuuren on 084 584 9394 or Ina Small on 083 293 0301 from the Evangelies Gereformeerde Kerk. Tickets can also be purchased from Commercial Marine and Angling Marine.
