Local resident Sheena Gerber is the captain of the Eastern Province Deep Sea Angling Association Ladies’ team. Her journey started in 1991 when she got married to her husband, Wayne Gerber, who comes from a commercial fishing family.
Wayne is also the Chairman of the Eastern Province Deep Sea Angling Association.
“I immediately fell in love with it because it was exciting and you never know what is on the other side of the line. I loved fishing, and it beat staying at home on weekends while my husband went fishing,” Sheena said.
In 2010, Sheena started fishing competitively in the local club leagues and immediately started winning in the ladies division. “It came naturally to me as I have a high sense of concentration which is a benefit of my being deaf and fishing. I am competitive by nature and I like the thrill of competition, so this was a sport I could even compete against the men in,” she excitedly shared.
Seven years ago, Sheena was named the captain of the ladies’ team, and she and her team have since seen a few notable achievements. Just after the COVID-19 pandemic they won a gold medal at the nationals in Struisbaai in the ladies division and we came third overall, beating 14 other men’s and ladies’ teams. In 2023 they won bronze in the Nationals in Kenton on Sea, and more recently they won another gold medal against all teams at the SADSAA coastal held in Richards Bay.
In future, she hopes to be selected for the South African Deep Sea Angling Association on the road to collecting Protea colours like her husband, “and one day fish in beautiful Iceland and other beautiful areas of the world,” she concluded.
