2025 SASAA JUNIOR NATIONAL SURFCASTING CHAMPIONSHIP
A brief introduction to Surf Casting…..
This type of fishing allows anglers to fish within a marked area, ensuring similar fishing conditions for all. The anglers skills at casting further, reading water conditions, knowledge of fish habits and ability in locating fish are tested.
The 2025 Junior National Surfcasting tournament hosted by SASAA, presented competitors with the opportunity to showcase their fishing skills. Junior anglers reeled in an incredible 594 fish, which were all safely returned to the ocean. Certainly, the wave garrick did get the memo, totaling 359 caught, followed by 151 silago, 48 lesser sandshark, 24 mullet, 4 shad, 3 stone bream, 2 kob, 1 Steenbras, sole and blacktail each .
In accordance with official protocol, this rather interesting event cast off with the Opening ceremony held at the beautiful Kloof High school on 10th April 2025. Anglers were introduced whilst receiving their gift bag of sponsored trace holders, fishing shirts and fish measuring mats. Pegs were drawn and to further prepare the participants, Dr Juggernath presented a slideshow discussing the rules. To end this information evening, guests were then invited to enjoy a hearty chicken or veg briyani prepared by a local halaal chef.
Competition Day 1 , 11 April 2025, began with the call of lines in at 9:00am, each competition day lasting a maximum of 4 hours. Fortified with their lunch packs of tinkies, sweets, fruit and water generously sponsored by Spar Kloof, anglers braved the rain and windy conditions (and their nervousness). The fish caught were measured and safely returned to the water by Kloof High School learners assisting as marshalls. All 37 competitors recorded catches on scorecards on this day.
On competition day 2, 12 April 2025, as the water temperature increased, our junior anglers, ages ranging between 10-21 years, fished tirelessly. Senior anglers walked the beach providing verbal assistance and motivation to persevere. Reluctantly, anglers reeled in when the stipulated time was over. At roll call that afternoon plenty of stories were told of the one that got away!
Competition Day 3, the 13 th of April 2025…. bursting with excitement, these young anglers highlighted their abilities, catching fish in challenging conditions. After all, more parents were in attendance today, devotedly spurring their children on to focus on the competition through the sunny 28 C temperature.
The end of the competition had been signalled. With bittersweet feelings, wanting this incredible experience to last forever, anglers, parents and officials rushed off to ready themselves for the Closing function and, of course, the announcement of the winners.
Competitors recognized for their achievements :
The most outstanding and biggest edible caught by Reece Malga was a 49cm Kob and the biggest
inedible, a 76cm lesser caught by Xarion Mathuray. Gabriella Viljoen caught the most fish of the
tournament, a whopping 44.
Under 12 division –
1 st Suharsh Juggernath
2nd Ezra Stephen
3rd Christopher Torrance
Under 16 division –
1st Jeariya Maduray
2nd Gabriella Viljoen
3rd Dali Matsha
Under 21 division –
1 st Upasana Juggernath
2nd Reece Malga
3rd Shivaan Govender
Tournament champion, Upasana Juggernath.
Mentioned at this function was the Protea team selected by SASAA to represent SA in Spain.
Individuals and organizations were acknowledged for their contributions to the tournament.
The Junior Surf Casting tournament, but not the passion for fishing, ended with a delicious spit braai, and competitors and parents remained until late that night, regaling in stories of the ones that got away.
Special thanks to Ronald Mathuray for the live scoring and updating system on www.surfcastingsa.co.za
A brilliant initiative and system launched at the event and a first for South African Fishing events.
