OKUMA Take a Kid Fishing 2017
2017 TAKF RESULTS
For all the Photos CLICK HERE
It was a brisk sou’easter that greeted the kids on the Saturday morning, but it was barely noticed as the anticipation for the Okuma Take A Kid Tournament was running at an all-time high. A round of hot chocolates before anchoring was a must to keep the energy levels up, then it was into rig tying and bait cutting and would somebody get the blimm’in berley in the water!
85 kids hit the water this year, well up on last year with the improving forecast and perhaps the good inshore fishing of late attracting extra kids. This comp is the kids time to shine, and they sure do! What a difference a year makes in the development of our juniors! Is so cool seeing them listening, learning and improving their skills and being successful on the water.
A special mention must go to Jovanna Pillay who always does well in this comp, but more specifically has earned herself another two NZ Junior records for Kahawai in the 8 and 15kg categories and continues to make her Club proud!
There was a noticeably large turn-out in the 3-7 year old this year, arguably the cutest age group especially when you dress them up in fancy dress! The participation factor in the dress up this year was outstanding with pirates, Spanish flamenco dancers, super heroes, sea cadets, jelly fish…certainly all the bases were covered!!! Good representation too in the 8-12 and 13-16 ages groups with these kids now having some real skills at catching fish, notably snapper and kahawai being plentiful at the weigh station this year.
The real heroes of these events though are the Mums, Dads, Grandies, Aunties and Uncles that turn out to support the kids, in what we reckon is the best sport on earth, and judging by the massive smiles going around the kids in the Club on Saturday evening, I think they reckon fishing is pretty cool too! Good to see our future is in good hands.
Thank you again to Okuma and all of our other sponsors including Barclay engravers who again did a wonderful job of the trophies (no doubt all proudly displayed in bedrooms around the region!) Also thanks to all of the families who attended the prize giving. It was nice to see all the kids getting something to take away, and we look forward to seeing you all again next year where we can do it all again bigger and better hopefully !!!