The regulations, published under the National Water Act, are expected to apply to hundreds of state-owned dams (estimated around 320 nationally managed waterworks) — meaning the impact could be widespread for boaters, anglers, and water sport enthusiasts.

While the intention is said to improve safety, environmental protection, and management of these water resources, the proposals have already sparked strong reactions from the boating community, with some calling them excessive and difficult to implement.

What’s Changing?

Restricted access to dams
Access to many dams may require formal approval from a managing authority, landowner, or leaseholder — a major shift from the more open access many users are used to.

Possible paid access or licensing
There are growing concerns that users may need to pay for access or obtain licences to boat or swim at public dams, raising questions about affordability and fairness.

More red tape for everyday use
Activities like events, filming, or even organised recreational use could require multiple approvals and agreements, adding layers of admin for clubs and businesses.

“The draft regulations provide that taking pictures at a dam is an ‘illegal activity’. Photographers may not ‘access’ the land next to the water surface, without concluding five agreements with (the) Department of Water and Sanistation,” said Dr Igor Scheurkogel MP and the DA’s NCOP Spokesperson on Water and Sanitation.

Stricter boating compliance
All vessels must meet national safety requirements, and access can be denied if documentation or equipment is not in order.

“The owner of a travelling vessel to a waterworks must report to a wash bay at a waterworks. Should there be no wash bay, the Competent Authority, lessee or landowner will ensure that the vessel and trailer are clean with no visible plant material on the vessel or trailer prior to launching,” it stated in the Government Gazette.

Environmental & fishing controls
New rules aim to protect biodiversity, including limits on fishing methods, stricter waste management, and bans on introducing species without approval.

No spearfishing or crossbow fishing will be allowed.

Night-Time & noise restrictions
Night boating will largely require approval, and strict noise curfews could change the social and recreational atmosphere at many dams.

Excessive noise generating activities include loud music, engine revving and unruly behaviour.

People will only be allowed to sleep overnight on the water if they are in officially designated overnight areas and on boats that have been specifically approved through a commercial agreement with the authorities. In simple terms, you can’t just anchor anywhere and stay the night — it must be a permitted area and an approved vessel. Boats also cannot be used as permanent homes or long-term places to live on the water.

In addition, any boat with a toilet or sanitation system must safely store waste in a holding tank and dispose of it properly on land using approved sewer systems. Boat owners will also need to keep detailed records of how and when waste is removed and disposed of, and these records must be kept for up to four years. The authorities can request to inspect these records at any time.

Why these regulations are causing concern

Critics argue the regulations could limit public access, introduce unnecessary bureaucracy, and impact tourism and small businesses that rely on dam-based activities.

“If these regulations came into effect, every single business next to dams regardless whether or not on the shoreline, like Alida Botha that owns Fish Busters, a fishing tackle store in Deneysville will have to sign a Private Public Partnership because she is ‘generating’ money from the Vaal Dam,” Scheurkogel said.

Anyone who fails to comply with these rules will be seen as committing an offence under the Act and, if found guilty, could face a fine or even jail time.

Click here to read or download the proposed regulations published in the Government Gazette.

Here’s a guide to the most notable fishing competitions and events you can look forward to this year. Or click here to download the PDF calendar.

A packed schedule of SADSAA tournaments

The South Africa Deep Sea Angling Association (SADSAA) maintains a robust calendar of competitive events that draw anglers from across the country and beyond. These tournaments cover a range of disciplines, venues and species — a testament to South Africa’s diverse fishing culture.

Highlights in 2026 include:

February to March

• SADSAA heavy tackle billfish interprovincial – Sodwana (9–13 Feb)

• Marlin & Bottomfish Invitational – Struisbaai Deep Sea (28 Feb–6 Mar)

March

• Durban Interclub – Durban (13–15 Mar)

• Port Francis Ski Boat Club Annual Tuna Competition – Port St. Francis (16–21 Mar)

• Mapelane Billfish – Mapelane (18–21 Mar)

• Umhlanga Festival – Umhlanga (27–29 Mar)

Late March – Early April

• SADSAA junior gamefish nationals – Sodwana Bay (30 Mar–3 Apr)

April

• SSBC Gamefish Competition – Sodwana (1–4 Apr)

• Couta Classic – Umlalazi (4–6 Apr)

• SADSAA tuna internationals – Atlantic Boat Club (12–17 Apr)

• SADSAA tuna nationals – Hout Bay (12–17 Apr)

• Durban Festival – Durban (24–27 Apr)

• Offshore Classic 2026 – Gordons Bay Boat Club (24–30 Apr)

• SADSAA PWC Tournament/All Inland – Sodwana (27 Apr–1 May)

May

• Glenmore Classic Comp – Glenmore Ski Boat Club (2 May)

• Penta Invitational – Sodwana Ski Boat Club (4–8 May)

• Mapelane Trophy (Interclub) – Mapelane (14–17 May)

• SADSAA All Coastal – Port St. Francis (19–23 May)

• Tuna Masters – Hout Bay (19–23 May)

• SADSAA Gamefish Interprovincial – Zinkwazi (20–24 May)

• SADSAA Gamefish Nationals – Meerensee (14–19 Jun)

July

• Snoek Derby – St Lucia (8–10 Jul)

• SADSAA Junior Bottomfish Nationals – Port Alfred (8–12 Jul)

• Line-fishing or Spearfishing Competition – Sodwana Bay (13–17 Jul)

• SADSAA Light Tackle Billfish Nationals – Sodwana Bay (13–17 Jul)

• SADSAA Bottomfish Nationals – East London (26–31 Jul)

August

• Rod & Reel Interclub – Natal Rod & Reel (7–9 Aug)

• Queens of the Ocean – St Lucia (7–8 Aug)

• SADSAA Bottomfish Interprovincial – Umhlanga (20–23 Aug)

September – October

• Test of the Best Daga Comp – Bobbies Angling Club (5 Sep)

• 12 x 12 Species – St Lucia (1–3 Oct)

• PDSAC Indian Ocean Classic – Meerensee (1–3 Oct)

• SADSAA Light Tackle Billfish Interprovincial – Sodwana (8–10 Oct)

• SADSAA Tuna Interprovincial & 53rd Tuna Invitational – Cape Boat & Ski Boat (21–24 Oct)

November – December

• • EFSA Tuna International – Hout Bay (2–6 Nov)

  • EFSA Bottomfish International – Struisbaai (9–14 Nov)

  • SADSAA Heavy Tackle Billfish Nationals – Sodwana Bay (16–20 Nov)

  • King of the Bay Comp – Bobbies Angling Club (5 Dec)

At Nauti-Tech Suzuki, we know the demands anglers place on their boats and engines. Our range of Suzuki outboards offers the performance, reliability and economy you need to stay competitive all season — from early summer tournaments to late-year classics.

Ready to make 2026 your best fishing year yet?

Plan your competitions now, get your boat dialled in, and make sure your Suzuki outboard is serviced and ready to perform. Whether you’re chasing billfish at sea or big bass inland, dependable gear starts with expert maintenance and preparation.

Contact Nauti-Tech Suzuki today for servicing, repower options, or performance upgrades that keep you on the water and ahead of the competition.

Whether you’re a thrill seeker, a family adventurer, or a chilled cruiser, here are the top boating destinations to explore this summer.

St Francis Bay – perfect for family adventures

Known for its peaceful canals and pristine waters, St Francis Bay is ideal for:

• Family cruising

• Watersports

• Canoeing and tubing

• Fishing

• Scenic sundowner routes

A safe, friendly environment makes it a favourite among holidaymakers.

A safe, friendly environment makes St Francis Bay a favourite among holidaymakers.

Knysna Lagoon – scenic, relaxed, and full of wildlife

Surrounded by lush forests and iconic views, Knysna Lagoon is perfect for:

• Leisurely sunset cruises

• Birdwatching

• Paddleboarding

• Picnic anchor spots

Its calm waters are great for beginners and families.

Vaal Dam – watersports heaven

The ultimate playground for thrill seekers:

• Wakeboarding

• Waterskiing

• Tubing

• Fishing (especially yellowfish and bass)

With plenty of accommodation nearby, it’s a great weekend getaway.

Durban Marina – Gateway to the warm Indian Ocean

Perfect for:

• Deep-sea fishing

• Dolphin and whale watching

• Coastal cruising

• Snorkeling adventures

The marina has many eateries, slipways, and docking facilities.

Cape St Francis – Tranquil and Unspoiled

Ideal for those seeking peace and nature:

• Quiet lagoons

• Crystal-clear waters

• Beautiful, uncrowded scenery

• Excellent fishing opportunities

A slow-paced destination perfect for relaxation.

Planning your boat holiday

Before you travel:

• Check local boating regulations

• Book accommodation early

• Ensure your Suzuki outboard is serviced

• Pack correctly

Book your summer service with us.

But a great boat holiday isn’t just about picking the right destination – it’s about what you bring along. Whether you’re a seasoned skipper or a first-time boater, having the right gear onboard ensures a safe, fun, and stress-free holiday. Here’s your ultimate summer boat holiday packing guide.

Essentials for Safety and Navigation

Your safety comes first. Always pack life jackets for every passenger, ensure your first aid kit is stocked, and carry emergency signals like flares or whistles. A GPS device or a marine radio can be lifesavers when exploring unfamiliar waters.

Comfort & Convenience Items

Keep everyone comfortable with sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses. Stock enough water and snacks to stay hydrated, and bring towels, blankets, or cushions to ensure everyone enjoys the ride.

Fun Add-Ons for Holiday Enjoyment

From inflatables and water toys to fishing gear, having fun onboard is a priority. Don’t forget a waterproof speaker for music, binoculars for sightseeing, and games to keep the kids entertained.

Boat-Specific Items for Suzuki Owners

Make sure to bring spare engine oil, parts, and any essential maintenance tools. Proper docking ropes, anchors, and fenders are also key for a smooth trip.

Final Tips

Download our printable summer boat packing checklist for easy reference. Remember, preparation ensures your holiday is as enjoyable as possible, leaving you free to make memories on the water.

3 Days, 50+ boats and over R350k prizes up for grabs. The annual Noordhoek Fish Derby is happening 1–4 May 2025 at the Noordhoek Ski-Boat Clib in Port Elizabeth. Here’s what to expect, the fishing schedule, how the prizes work, which species they’ll be targeting and how friends, family and everyone can be part of the action.

What to Expect at the Nordhoek Fish Derby 2025

Formerly known as the Stock Fish Derby, the Noordhoek Fish Derby has in recent years seen a record number of entries for the competition (originally only about 65 were expected, and Noordhoek Ski-Boat Club chairman Piet Botha says this is a reflection of just how good the action is out on the water in the Algoa Bay area.

Not to mention, there’s R350’000 worth of prizes up for grabs – and it’s balanced quite fairly, so everyone has a shot of getting their share.

Up for Grabs: R350k+ in Prizes

Of the 5 target species, there are prize draws for each of the 3 heaviest of each species – that’s 15 in total. Plus a grand prize of a brand-new Suzuki DF100 outboard motor. And a number of additional prize draws, so every size boat stands a chance at winning this year.

Noordhoek Fish Derby Competition Schedule

Following the skipper’s briefing on Wednesday, 30 April (it’s a public holiday in South Africa on Thursday: Workers’ Day) at 19:00 at Noordhek Ski-Boat Club, anglers will start fishing from first light on Thursday, 1 May, and Saturday, 3 May, and Sunday, 4 May (Friday 2nd May is a day off with no fishing action). Weigh-in starts from 11:00 onwards, and scales at 16:00 on Thursday, 1 Mayn and Saturday, 3 May, and at 15:00 on Sunday, 4 May. The big prize draws and ceremony happen on Sunday at 16:00.

Qualifying Species

The big five target species are:

• Yellowtail
• Geelbek
• Gurnard
• Carpenter
• Stock Fish

How You Can Be a Part of the Derby

Anglers, friends and family are welcome throughout the weekend. There will be food stalls, loads of raffles, bonus giveaways and prizes – and even an MC to host the event. So it’s a great day to bring the family, watch the weigh-in and enjoy the day in good company.

Noordhoek Fish Derby 2025

1-4 May 2025
Hosted by Noordhoek Ski-Boat Club
Marine Drive 6070, Port Elizabeth
Piet Botha 082 320 3945
Hugo Vermaak 082 771 2581

Tight lines to all competing!

In Case You Missed It: Check Out What Happened at Previous Noordhoek Fish Derbys…

13 Winning anglers, 11 boats and who walked away with a share of R300 000 and a brand-new Suzuki DF60. The Nordhoek Fish Derby at Noordhoek Ski-Boat Club in PE tooks place on 21 and 22 May 2022, and we have all the winners!

“We had such wonderful weather, and everyone was able to get out there and have an awesome comp,” says Club chairman, Piet Botha. And we can believe that – this year’s was one of the biggest ever Fish Derbys at the club  (normally limited to just 65 boats, there were wl over 70 entered in 2022!).

And, let’s just get this out of the way, the overall winner didn’t necessarily have the biggest fish…

OVERALL WINNER, 2022 NOORDHOEK FISH DERBY: KEVIN CLARK

Congratulations to Kevin Clark, skipper of Rambill, who took both first-place for the heaviest Carpenter (2.5kg), and the overall prize of a new Suzuki DF60 outboard, sponsored by us at Nauti-Tech Suzuki. 

(Though it’s worth noting that we investigated how Kevin’s boat Rambil kept getting the fish first, and we suspect it might be because she’s powered by a pair of mighty Suzuki DF90s.)

But that was not all, there were some pretty nice-sized species all round – and the anglers with the Top3 heaviest of each, won individual species prizes…

ALL THE COMPETITION WINNERS

Yellowtail

1st place: Graham Pollard, boat Polly G (Skipper: Graham Pollard)
2nd place: Graham Pollard, boat Polly G (Skipper: Graham Pollard)
3rd place: Hendrik Barnard, boat Wave Dancer (Skipper: Neville Tait)

Geelbek

1st place: Graham Pollard, boat Gannet (Skipper: Christiaan Dorfling)
2nd place:Mark Very, boat Pices (Skipper: Tiaan Willemse)
3rd place: Kevin Kurtin, boat Real Player (Skipper: Kevin Kurtin)

Gurnard

1st place: Sam Fourie, boat Chasing Tail (Skipper: James Norton)
2nd place: James Norton, boat Chasing Tail (Skipper: James Norton)
3rd place: Louis Strydom, boat Stefaans (Skipper: Louis Strydom)

Carpenter

1st place: Kevin Clark, boat Rambill (Skipper: Kevin Clark)
2nd place: Kevin, boat Wave on Wave (Skipper: Kevin)
3rd place: Christo, boat Odyssey (Skipper: Louis Strydom)

Stock Fish

1st place: Hendrik Barnard, boat Wave Dancer (Skipper: Neville Tait)
2nd place: Elandre Nel, boat Buddy (Skipper: Elandre Nel)
3rd place: Lofty Barnard, boat Wave Dancer (Skipper: Neville Tait)

Congratulations to all the winners and everyone who helped turn this into an amazing competition!

PLUS

Discover all the big fishing competitions in May and learn how to keep the ultimate boat service schedule.

ALL NEW BOATS

Deep sea, ski-boat, river or cabin cruisers: See all our custom-built new boats. And discover everything we’ve repowered, refitted, refurbed and all new launches + their motors, all under our collective of boats.

THE PURSUIT OF AWESOME

Legend also has it that most boats run better under Suzuki power. Discover it for yourself among these Suzuki outboards.

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BE THE FIRST TO KNOW

To ensure you always get first dibs on the latest deals and be the first to know about news, events and special offers by joining the Nauti-Tech Suzuki Facebook community and signing up for our newsletter.

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Need to refurbish, refit and revive your boat? Take a peek inside our award-winning Suzuki Marine workshop.

The 2024 All Coastal Bottom Fish Inter-Provincial is set for the 7th to the 10th of August and sees 27 Anglers from Border, Eastern Province, Natal, Southern Cape, and Western Province battle it out at the Overberg Boat Club at Kleinbaai/Gansbaai.

Known for producing some of the best bottom fishing on SA’s coast, the Overberg Boat Club is the perfect place to see some of SA’s top Men’s, Ladies and Junior Anglers reel in a large variety of epic bottom fish. 

Get all the details as it looks like winter is hotting up at the All Coastal Bottom Fish Inter-Provincial 2024.

All Coastal Bottom Fish Inter-Provincial 2024 Prizes:

What an honour to represent your province at the All Coastal Bottom Fish Inter-Provincial 2024. The 9 teams comprising 3 anglers each will be vying for top honours determined according to SADSAA’s rules at the end of the 3 fishing days.

Winners will be announced and awards given at the closing function on Saturday the 10th of August 2024.

All Coastal Bottom Fish Inter-Provincial 2024 Dates & Times:

The All Coastal Bottom Fish Inter-Provincial 2024 kicks off on Wednesday the 7th of August 2024 with the Opening Function where the teams representing their provinces come together, share a meal, and receive their instructions for the 3 days of exciting Bottom Fish angling action.

The All Coastal Bottom Fish Inter-Provincial 2024 wraps up on Saturday the 10th of August 2024 with the Closing Function where teams will enjoy dinner together, as well as receive their awards for top finishers.

For more info about Competition times, follow: 

South Africa Deep Sea Angling Association (SADSAA) on Facebook.

Join the Overberg Bootklub/Boat Club Gansbaai’s Facebook Group.

Join the Western Province Deep Sea Angling Association’s Group on Facebook.

All Coastal Bottom Fish Inter-Provincial 2024 Info:

9 Teams from across the country will represent their provinces at the 2024 edition of the All Coastal Bottom Fish Inter-Provincial. The teams and anglers are:

• Barbarian Men: John Luef, Gary Lunt & Brett Potgieter 
• Barbarian Ladies: Jacky Luef, Belinda Fischl & Michaela Schorn
• Border: Andrew Sprag, Tim Wood & Peter Klug
• Eastern Province: Brain Gerber, Donald Brown & Gerold Els
• Natal: Sayid Cassiem, Kyle Loumeau & Jethro Doman 
• Southern Cape Juniors: Jack Magerle, Owen Linker & Luca Kruger
• Southern Cape Seniors: Bertie Stewart, Christopher Schorn & Robin Corker 
• Western Province Juniors: Luke Truter, Hugo Bester & Mickyle Vermaak
• Western Province Seniors: Ossie Sauermann, Stephen Flemming & Wouter Rykaart

Ensuring the teams get to where all the Bottom Fish action is are the skippers and boats, including:

• Dp Burger on Double D
• Mark Truter on Cavalier
• Roger Marais on San Diego
• Iaan Viljoen on Piromero
• Piet J Wessels on Bayswater
• Patric Christoudoulo on Genesis
• Colin Joubert on Haven 
• Stephen Ewels on Reef Raper
• Owen Pretorius on Booby Trap

The South Africa Deep Sea Angling Association’s (SADSAA) rules will apply, with a 6kg line class for Seniors, and a 4kg line class for Juniors.

All Coastal Bottom Fish Inter-Provincial 2024 Contact Details

For more information about the tournament, you can contact the Overberg Bootklub/Boat Club Gansbaai.

Address: Danger Point Road, Kleinbaai, Gansbaai

Phone: 082 929 8688

Extra: 076 316 7825 

Or find them on Facebook.

Also see: 

The South Africa Deep Sea Angling Association’s (SADSAA) website and Facebook page.

The Western Province Deep Sea Angling Association’s Group on Facebook.

Fair weather, tight lines, and epic catches to the anglers, skippers and organisers of the All Coastal Bottom Fish Inter-Provincial 2024.

Previous Year’s Comps

Just two days of fishing put provincial teams to the test. Congrats to all the top-performing teams at the All Coastals Bottom Fishing Interprovincial

NOTE: Below details a report on a previous year’s competition. The 2022 competition is taking place 13–16 May 2022 at Gonubie in East London – contact 082 821 4565

Fourteen teams from five coastal provinces competed. Only two days of fishing due to the weather. And an All Coastals interprovincial like we’ve never seen before. The 2019 Bottom Fish All Coastals was hosted by Eastern Province Deep Sea Angling Association between 19–23 February in Port Elizabeth at PEDSAC.

And, as Allen Ford, captain of the Border Blue team, pointed out in a quick speech during the prize-giving ceremony, this is one we’ll all likely remember for some time to come. The first All Coastals that featured an all-new and creative bottom fish catch and release system.

But more on that later. For now, let’s get to the winners.

ALL COASTAL INTERPROVINCIAL SENIOR RESULTS

FIRST PLACE: EASTERN PROVINCE RED

• Kevin Clark (C)
• Peter Dawson
• Adrian Von Schuetz

After tallying the second most points overall on Day 1, EP Red came from a no-fishing Day 2 to claim the top spot after Day 3. Securing the 2019 All Coastals win for Eastern Province Deep Sea Angling. Especially exciting was seeing the performance of young Adrian Von Schuetz, who came up through the EP junior ranks to compete at senior level for the first time during this comp. Naturally, he was bolstered by being teamed with veterans Kevin Clark and Peter Dawson – who both sing the young man’s praises – but, anglers take note: Keep your eye on young Adrian.

SECOND PLACE: BORDER BLUE

• Allen Ford (C)
• Andrew Harris
• Everitt Van Loggerenberg

THIRD PLACE: SOUTHERN CAPE

• Chris Schorn (C)
• Koos Scholtz
• Johann Crouse

ALL COASTAL INTERPROVINCIAL JUNIOR RESULTS

It was especially awesome seeing such an excellent turnout of junior teams from most provinces. Border did very well, bringing in the most points on Day 1. And hats off to the Natal Juniors team, who managed a silver, despite all team members competing at this level for the first time. Here are the results:

FIRST PLACE: BORDER JUNIOR BLUE

• Joshua Olivier (C)
• Ben Steyn
• Keegan Brunsdon

SECOND PLACE: NATAL JUNIORS

• Chais Gaul (C)
• Owen Barclay
• Mohammed Abdul

THIRD PLACE: SOUTHERN CAPE JUNIORS

• Barend Boshoff (C)
• Henrico Scholtz
• Morne Crouse

Congratulations to all the winners. And all the competitors. As the sentiment during the prize giving suggested, the mere fact that we can have such successful interprovincial bottomfish competitions is a big win for fishing as a sport, so everyone should feel very proud.

Especially since this was no ordinary bottom fish event.

A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND COMPETITION

Mark the year 2019 as the first time the All Coastals BottomFish Interprovincial featured a revolutionary new bottom species catch-and-release system. Driven by PEDSAC, the conservation-minded club who worked closely with a division of Rhodes University to develop a safe and efficient catch, measure and release system for bottom species featuring a system of specialised mats and hypodermic needles, this was the first-ever interprovincial comp in SA to feature the release of bottom fish.

PEDSAC received much praise from competing teams for this incredible initiative. And club chairman Richard Donaldson confirmed that the system used is similar to the one developed by PEDSAC to promote bottomfish conservation (click through to read more on how it works) during last year’s ECM Species Challenge.

We’re very excited about this for the future of bottom fishing in SA. And we’ll talk to SADSAA and get some more input on this catch and release system soon.

For now, congratulations to all the teams who competed. We can’t wait to see what you guys are going to do in the rest of 2019.

—

Also discover this year’s Junior Bottom Fish Nationals and see the seniors and masters perform at the 2019 SADSAA bottom fish nationals.

See all the big fishing competitions in March and the whole year’s fishing competitions in South Africa.

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GIVE YOURSELF THE EDGE

Remember you can get the latest in fishing equipment and boating tech from us. Also, see new boats for sale and go here to shop for new Suzuki outboards.

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Nestled in the stunning coastal town of Shelly Beach, the 2024 Tuna Interprovincial promises an unforgettable fishing experience. With its pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters, Shelly Beach is the perfect backdrop for this thrilling tournament.

Anglers from across the country will converge on these bountiful waters, competing for top honours in a picturesque setting. Get ready for three days of epic Tuna action, camaraderie, and breathtaking scenery. It’s time for the 2024 Tuna Interprovincial

Tuna Interprovincial 2024 Prizes:

As this is an Interprovincial tournament, anglers will be competing for Gold, Silver and Bronze medals, not to mention top honours of being best in the land (or should we say on the water).

Tuna Interprovincial 2024 Dates & Times:

The 2024 Tuna Interprovincial takes place from the 11th to the 13th of July – weather permitting, with the opening ceremony taking place on the 10th of July with the teams enjoying dinner together.

On the 11th and 12th of July, the teams fuel up with breakfast at 05h30, before hitting the water at 06h15 for a solid day’s Tuna fishing action. 

Lines up is called at 15h00 to allow teams to get back to Shelly Beach Ski-Boat Club for weigh-in between 16h00 and 17h00 Scales Close.

After a hard day’s fishing, there’s nothing better than kicking back for dinner and drinks with fellow competitors from 17h30.

The final day (Saturday 13 July) follows a similar flow with Breakfast at 05h30, and Boat launch at 06h15, but wraps up a little earlier than Days 1 and 2 of the Tuna Interprovincial with lines up at 13h00, scales open between 14h00 and 15h00.

The 2024 Tuna Interprovincial wraps up on Saturday at 16h00 with the closing function and prize giving. And we have it on good authority that the closing ceremony will wrap up in time for the Springboks vs Ireland rugby match kicking off at 17h00.

Tuna Interprovincial 2024 Info:

The Tuna Interprovincial is hosted by the Shelly Beach Ski-Boat Club, the South African Deep Sea Angling Association (SADSAA), and the Natal Deep Sea Angling Association (NDSAA).

With 8 provincial teams, comprising 3 anglers each, from around the country battling it out for top honours at this year’s Tuna Interprovincial, we’re in for 3 days of epic Tuna Action. 

This year the provinces represented are:

• 2 Teams from Natal (Team Black and Team White)
• 3 Teams from Southern Gauteng (Team Gold, Team Silver, Team Bronze)
• 2 Griquas Teams (Team Blue, Team Red)
• 1 Western Province Team

Tuna Interprovincial 2024 Contact Details 

For any additional info about the 2024 Tuna Interprovincial competition, kindly visit the Shelly Beach Ski-Boat Club website, follow their Facebook page or contact them directly.

Albert Meyer Drive, Shelly Beach, 4265 | Tel: 082 555 6666| Email: shellybsbc@gmail.com 

Stay up to date with all the latest news and results by following along on social media:

Shelly Beach Ski-Boat Club’s Facebook page.

South African Deep Sea Angling Association’s Facebook page.

Natal Deep Sea Angling Association’s Facebook page.

Tight lines and fair weather to all the anglers competing at the Tuna Interprovincial 2024.

ALL NEW BOATS

Plus: Deep sea, ski-boat, river or cabin cruisers: See all our custom-built new boats. And discover everything we’ve repowered, refitted, refurbed and all new launches + their motors, all under our collective of boats.

THE PURSUIT OF AWESOME

Legend also has it that most boats run better under Suzuki power. Discover it for yourself among these Suzuki outboards.

BE THE FIRST TO KNOW

To ensure you always get first dibs on the latest deals and be the first to know about news, events and special offers by joining the Nauti-Tech Suzuki Facebook community and signing up for our newsletter.

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Need to refurbish, refit and revive your boat? Take a peek inside our award-winning Suzuki Marine workshop.

The 21 Species tournament is happening again at Meerensee Boat Club. But hurry, there’s only space for a maximum of 150 boats. For a full list of the species and limits, entry fees, how to enter, and what happened at previous years’ comps, check out the 21 Species at Meerensee in Richards Bay.

21 Species 2024 Prizes:

There are some huge prizes up for grabs across both comps for biggest fish overall, biggest catch per species, and of course, some lucky draws all taking place at the official prize-giving on 7 July at 16h30.

21 Species 2024 Dates & Times:

Happening at the Meerensee Boat Club, both the 21 Species Competition, as well as the Catch & Release Kids comp take place on the 6th and 7th of July 2024.

The action kicks off at 9 AM on both days, with lines up at 1 PM. The event concludes with the big Prize-Giving at 16h30 on the 7th of July at the Meerensee Boat Club’s clubhouse.

21 Species 2024 Info:

The aim of the game is to reel in the biggest fish per species. 

With these being some of the prized specimens up for grabs, we can be sure of some smoking hot fishing action to heat up the wintery weekend: Couta, Yellowfin & Bigeye Tuna, Dorado, Black & Striped Marlin, Spotted Grunter, Barracuda, and Amberjack to name but a few. 

Entries for both comps closed on the 15th of June (R350 for the kids comp – and includes a free competition t-shirt). Entries for the 21 Species official comp were R950 with a shirt and R550 for fishing action only.

You can still enter after the 15th if space allows. However, late entry fees may apply.

21 Species 2024 Contact Details: 

For more information about the 21 Species competition, including any info about late registrations, kindly visit the Meerensee Boat Club website or contact them directly.
1 Commodore Close, Meerensee, Richards Bay, 3900 | Tel: 035 788 0258 | Email: info@msbc.co.za 

It’s set to be a great weekend out for the family, and a lot of fun for kids and adult anglers and their families alike. So head down to Meerensee for 21 Species 2024.

Tight lines and fair weather.

PREVIOUS YEARS’ COMPETITIONs

All the 21 Species Richards Bay 2019 winners,  plus: meet the 14-year-old who beat everyone to become the overall tournament winner

21 Species, two days and over 230 participating anglers and families. The 21 Species fishing competition took place 5–7 July 2019 in Richards Bay at Meerensee Boat Club.

We bring you all the final results, winner pics (including the 14-year-old teen who beat out all the adults!), dates and info. Plus: All the species winners’ rankings according to the benchmark weight for all 21 qualifying fish species on the day.

21 SPECIES RICHARDS BAY 2019

Despite fears that the weather wouldn’t play along – for which Meerensee Boat Club commodore (and also the comp safety official), Corne Kleinschmidt had a contingency plan of limiting fishing to the harbour area only if wind gusts exceeded 20 knots – the competition took place and fishing was allowed anywhere in the fishable zone around Richards Bay.

“That was good news for the guys who like to go deep sea,” says Corne, “because only about 19 of 21 species are fishable inside the harbour. Dorado and tuna you can only find if you go deeper, so we’re glad we were able to allow it.”

FISHING THE 21 SPECIES

The 21 Species took place on from Friday 5 to Sunday 7 July 2019, with a briefing and opening on Friday evening at around 19:00 and fishing commencing Saturday and Sunday from first light, and the weigh station opening around 14:00. Boats launched from two the slipways at Meerensee Boat Club and the three slipways at Richards Bay Ski-Boat Club down the road.

And there was over R100 000’s worth of prizes up for grabs, including one for each of the 21 species, with the overall winner being the angler that got the closest to the benchmark weight across the board.

14-YEAR-OLD BEATS OUT EVERYONE

And what an awesome surprise when local teen Julio Ritchie (14) took the overall prize with his 8.4kg queenfish weighing in at 84% of the benchmark weight for that species (pics below). There were several other anglers who came close, including Shaun McKinnon (5kg soldier), Owen Tylcoat (9kg garrick) and Willem Deetlefts (4.8kg englishman).

But in the end, it was Julio Ritchie, whose fish was percentage-wise the closest to the species’ benchmark weight, that took the grand prize. Notable performances are by Shaun McKinnon and Quinton Roux, who each won three species categories in the 21 Species 2019.

21 SPECIES 2019 WINNERS

20 out of the 21 species were caught at this year’s competition (all except rock salmon) – which says a lot about the richness of species and fish you can catch at Meerensee Boat Club.

Here are all the final species winners, with the benchmarks and percentage results:

QUEENFISH

Julio Ritchie (jnr), 8.4kg
84% of 10kg benchmark

COUTA

Shaun McKinnon, 15,2kg
43% of 35kg benchmark

DORADO

Keano Herbts (jnr), 7kg
44% of 16kg benchmark

LANTERN

Wynand Smit, 2.4kg
60% of 4kg benchmark

GRUNTER

David Chettiah, 3.6kg
60% of 6kg benchmark

SNOEK

Giepie Joubert, 6.8kg
68% of 10kg benchmark

RUBBERLIP

Quinton Roux, 3.4kg
49% of 7kg benchmark

SCAVENGER

Quinton Roux, 1.4kg
35% of 4kg benhcmark

SLINGER

Sian Pretorius, 3kg
75% of 4kg benchmark

SOLDIER

Shaun McKinnon, 5kg
83% of 6kg benchmark

TUNA

Shaun McKinnon, 23.6kg
26% of 90kg benchmark

ROCK COD

Louis Jansen, 5.4kg
68% of 8kg benchmark

COB

Hurbert Dippenaar, 13.8kg
39% of 35kg benchmark

SHAD

Nicci Venter, 4.2kg
53% of 6kg benchmark

PERCH

Shaun VD Mescht, 0.6kg
24% of 2.5kg benchmark

GARRICK

Owen Tylcoat, 9kg
80% of 18kg benchmark

STUMPNOSE

Renier Koekemoer, 1kg
20% of 5kg benchmark

SANDFISH

David Chettiah, 2.4kg
60% of 4kg benchmark

SPECKLED SNAPPER

Quinton Rouz, 0.8kg
14% of 5kg benchmark

ENGLISHMAN

Willem Deetlefts, 4.8kg
80% of 6kg benchmark

Congratulations to all the winners!

21 SPECIES RICHARDS BAY

At Meerensee Boat Club, 1 Commodore Close, Richards Bay, 3901
Email: info@msbc.co.za
Phone: 035 788 0258
Club website
Club Facebook

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Discover more exciting fishing competitions in July and all this year’s bug upcoming fishing tournaments. Plus: See all the ski-boat clubs in Zululand.

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THE PURSUIT OF AWESOME

Legend also has it that CarryCats and every other boat runs better under Suzuki power. Discover it for yourself among these Suzuki outboards.

BUILT FOR FISHING

Discover our range of beautiful, custom-built new boats.

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Junior anglers from KZN converge on Mapelane for the Junior Interclub, 21 Species land 21 big prizes in Richards Bay, while Tuna and Snoek are on the cards later in the month. And the Proteas close out July’s fishing action when they fly the SA flag high in Hawaii. Check out the awesome competitions happening this month.

Mapelane Junior Interclub Mapelane MSBC

5th – 6th July 2024

Famous for its big marlin and pelagic game fish, Mapelane Ski-Boat Club is a close-knit, conservation-minded club with a family-friendly atmosphere. Situated in KwaZulu-Natal’s iSimangaliso Wetland Park, it offers a unique experience amid a vast natural habitat home to hippos, crocodiles, giraffes, flamingos, and pelicans.

After hosting the prestigious Mapelane Trophy and the Game Fish Challenge fishing tournaments in recent months, the Mapelane Ski Boat Club is back at it with another comp for Junior anglers as they host the 2024 Mapelane Junior Interclub to develop the sport.

Mapelane Ski Boat Club | iSimangaliso Wetlands Park, St Lucia, KZN | 083 448 0971 

21 Species Richards Bay MSSBC

5th – 7th July 2024

Two days, huge prizes, a live band and other entertainment, not to mention the ever-popular kid’s fishing comp for kids under 12. The 21 Species is happening again at Meerensee Boat Club. But hurry, there’s only space for a maximum of 150 boats. For a full list of the species and limits, entry fees, how to enter, and what happened at previous years’ comps, check out the 21 Species in Richards Bay.

1 Beach Rd, Richards Bay | 035 753 2516 | Website

Tuna Interprovincial Shelly Beach SBSBC

11th – 13th July 2024

Hot on the heels of the Shelly Beach Tuna Bonanza, the Shelly Beach Ski Boat Club hosts the Tuna Interprovincial. Located on one of SA’s most beloved holiday stretches, about an hour south of Durban on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, Shelly Beach Ski-Boat Club in Margate enjoys one of the most temperate climates in South Africa, with warm, rich oceans, ideal for the teams of anglers from across the country competing to be the best in the land.

Shelly Beach Ski Boat Club | Albert Meyer Drive Shelly Beach 4265 | 082 555 6666 

Abbott van Rooyen Memorial Snoek Derby 

13th – 14th July 2024

The annual Abbott van Rooyen Snoek Derby hosted by the St. Lucia Ski Boat Club this year, attracts avid anglers from around South Africa and further afield who compete to catch the largest snoek. There are some great prizes up for grabs this year – ensuring a competitive yet friendly atmosphere.

The iconic tournament has actively promoted the Kona coast as a world-class big game fishing destination for six decades and provides a long-term economic foundation for Kona’s charter fleet.

St. Lucia Ski Boat Club | Sugarloaf, Jetty Road, St Lucia, Estuary, 3936 |064 898 9119

Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament 

27th July – 3rd August 2024

The Proteas team head to Kailua-Kona in Hawaii to represent South Africa at the 62nd Anniversary Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament. 

Follow the South African Deep Sea Angling Association’s Facebook Page to see the teams representing South Africa and check out the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament website for more information.

Fair weather and tight lines to the anglers and organisers of July’s tournaments.

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PREVIOUS YEARS’ TOURNAMENTS

21 Species in Richards Bay, snoek in St Lucia and the big SADSAA billfish and tuna nationals. These are big winter fishing tournaments coming up in July

Estuary or ocean fishing in Richards Bay, natal snoek in St Lucia, two big SADSAA nationals tournaments and more angling action at Meer En See. These are the big fishing tournaments comping up in July this year.

21 SPECIES RICHARDS BAY

3–5 JULY 2020

Two days, 21 prizes, live entertainment and food stalls and a special kids fishing comp. The 21 Species is happening again at Meerensee Boat Club. But hurry, there’s only space for a maximum of 150 boats. For a full list of the species and limits, entry fees, how to enter, and what happened at last year’s comp, check out the 21 Species in Richards Bay.

Meerensee Boat Club | 035 788 0258 | manage@msbc.co.za

SADSAA LIGHT-TACKLE BILLFISH NATIONALS

6–10 JULY 2020

These South African Deep Sea Angling Association (SADSAA) comps are for national competitive anglers and by provincial invitation and nomination only. The best of the best in SA are heading down to Sodwana Bay this month for the SADSAA Light-Tackle BillFish Nationals.

Sodwana Bay, KZN | SADSAA: info@sadsaa.co.za | +27 (0)83 284 5969

ST LUCIA SNOEK DERBY

11–12 JULY 2020

An exciting comp in one of the most awesome (and still quite warm this time of year) places in the country. Boats and jetskis welcome! It’s time to go after snoek in KZN waters as St Lucia Ski-Boat Club invites you to come and see what the winter fishing is like at the annual St Lucia Snoek Derby.

St Lucia Ski-Boat Club | St Lucia | 035 590 1376 | chairman@slsbc.co.za

SADSAA TUNA NATIONALS

12–17 JULY 2020

It’s that time again. The best of the best in SA game-fishing are heading down to Shelly Beach Ski-Boat Club for this year’s big SADSAA tuna tournament. Get all the info and a sneak peek at who won last year’s Tuna Nationals.

Shelly Beach SBC | Albert Meyer Dr, Shelly Beach, Margate | 039 315 1476 | shellyp@venturenet.co.za

RICHARDS BAY INTERCLUB

17–18 JULY 2020

We go back again to Richards Bay, this time for a meeting of KZN/Zululand clubs at the Richards Bay Interclub.

Richards Bay Ski-Boat Club | 1 Beach Road, Meer En See, KZN | 035 753 2516 | info@rbsbc.co.za

Note: These are all the fishing competitions currently on our radar. If you know of competitions or want your fishing competition on this list, email us at hello@nautitechsuzuki.com.

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MORE UPCOMING FISHING COMPS

Also discover all this year’s big fishing competitions. Plus: See all the ski-boat clubs in Zululand.

Also check out Team SA sailfish captain Goerge Breedt’s awesome tips on fishing Natal Snoek.

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Plus: See all our custom-built new boats and all our favourite new launches under our full collective post on our boats.

NEW: CUSTOM-BUILT FLAMINGO CABIN CRUISERS

Check out the four awesome new cabin boat models available from our showroom: Discover Flamingo boats.

ALL NEW BOATS

Plus: Deep sea, ski-boat, river or cabin cruisers: See all our custom-built new boats. And discover everything we’ve repowered, refitted, refurbed and all new launches + their motors, all under our collective of boats.

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THE PURSUIT OF AWESOME

Legend also has it that most boats run better under Suzuki power. Discover it for yourself among these Suzuki outboards.

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Get ready for the Shelly Beach Tuna Bonanza 2024! Held at the picturesque Shelly Beach Ski-Boat Club, this thrilling fishing competition promises big prizes, exciting catches, and unforgettable memories. 

The club also celebrates its 50th anniversary, so you don’t want to miss out on one of South Africa’s most beloved winter Gamefish tournaments!

Tuna Bonanza 2024 Prizes:

One Prize. One Angler. One Species.

Get ready to reel in the big one! With a grand prize of R50,000, the Tuna Bonanza 2024 offers plenty of other prize incentives to hit the water. 

The top 10 prizes are exclusively for Tuna, adding an extra layer of excitement for those targeting the big guns. There are also prizes for the heaviest couta, amberjack, jobfish, bonnie, and other tuna species. 

Plus, there’s a Tag & Release category for Billfish and Sailfish. Each prize is awarded to one angler per species – making every catch count in this epic competition.

Tuna Bonanza 2024 Dates & Times: 

The Tuna Bonanza runs from June 27th to June 29th, 2024. 

The tournament kicks off with a briefing on Wednesday, June 26th at 6 PM. 

Entries close on May 31st, 2024, but if you’re late, contact Lindy at 082 555 6666 to check availability. Just remember, late entries may not receive a competition shirt or goody bag.

Tuna Bonanza 2024 Info:

Launching from Umkomaas to Port Edward, the Tuna Bonanza is open to boats under 9 meters and jet skis (with 5 jet skis max per launch site). There’s a 115 nautical mile distance limit, and fishing in the reserve or the Protea Banks Restricted Zone is prohibited. 

With categories for Open, Juniors, and Ladies, everyone has a chance to join in the fun. This year also marks the club’s 50th anniversary, so expect live entertainment and a festive atmosphere across the 3 days.

Tuna Bonanza 2024 Contact Details:

For more details, contact the Shelly Beach Ski-Boat Club on 039 315 1476 or email shellyp@venturenet.co.za. Or head to the club: Albert Meyer Dr, Shelly Beach, Margate. 

Check out their website for more info about the club.

Fair weather and tight lines to all competing anglers (and of course the team organising the Shelly Beach Tuna Bonanza 2024) – it’s going to be an unforgettable fishing tournament.

Previous Year’s Tournaments

Four days of awesome game fishing, a new boat and cash prizes up for grabs and loads of entertainment at the Shelly Beach Ski-Boat Festival

NOTE: The 2022 tournament takes place at the Shelley Beach Tuna Bonanza from 30 June to 3 July 2022

Dorado, tuna, yellowfin and maybe some wahoo. You can expect loads of great game fishing and excitement at the scales for four days during the Shelly Beach Ski-Boat Festival, 30 June to 3 July 2022. As well as some awesome entertainment at the Shelly Beach Ski-Boat Club, with a cash bar and even cooking demonstrations. Not to mention great prizes up for grabs at this awesome annual fishing competition.

Here’s all the info and how you can still enter and be a part of the Shelly Beach Ski-Boat Festival 2022.

WATCH: PAST SHELLY BEACH SKI-BOAT FESTIVAL TO GET YOU IN THE MOOD

AWESOME PRIZES UP FOR GRABS

This year, the first prize, awarded for the heaviest game fish catch of any species, is a brand-new 5-metre powered cat ski-boat with two 60hp four-stroke outboards. Second prize is awarded for the heaviest game fish catch of any other species, and then there are loads more cash prizes for various categories, including ladies and junior angler prizes.

FISHING THE 2022 SHELLY BEACH SKI-BOAT FESTIVAL

It’s all about game fish. But note that only fish that can be weighed qualifies, which means you’re not looking at bill- and sailfish. “The most common fish species you’ll be looking for is dorado, tuna and yellowtail, maybe some wahoo, too,” says Shelly Beach Ski-Boat Club PRO Brenda Johnson.

“Fishing starts from first light, and then weigh-in is strictly at Shelly beach Ski-Boat Club from 2pm–5pm for the first three days of the competition, and 2pm–4pm on the final day.”

That said, you should know that you can launch to take part in this competition anywhere between Durban and Port Edward. The northern-most boundary for the Shelly Beach Ski-Boat Festival is the Tongaat River mouth, and you can fish all the way down to the Sikombe River mouth in the south, as long as you still come and weigh-in at Shelly Beach Ski-Boat Club.

Some more fish species to look out for are couta, bonito, Natal snoek, garrick, and prodigal son. Just note that no shark or ray species are allowed to be weighed in this comp.

HOW TO ENTER

To enter, contact Brenda on 039 315 1476, email shellyp@venturenet.co.za, visit the club’s website, find the forms in a recent issue of Ski-Boat Magazine or click here to download registration forms.

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND FAMILY FUN

The Ski-Boat Festival is not just for anglers either. Throughout the compeition, Shelly Beach Ski-Boat club welcomes the public to come and join the festivities at their clubhouse on the beach at Albert Meyer Drive, especially during the weigh-ins (very exciting for kids!) from 2pm in the afternoon onwards.

There will be live entertainment, a cash bar and the restaurant is serving delicious meals as per usual. But something extra special: The club has organised to have a pro chef who will be doing live cooking demonstrations on how to prepare locally caught fish for an awesome meal.

SHELLY BEACH SKI-BOAT FESTIVAL

At Shelly Beach Ski-Boat Club, Albert Meyer Dr, Shelly Beach
Club website
shellyp@venturenet.co.za
039 315 1476

Awesome images via Shelly Beach Ski-Boat Club taken by Justin Klusener

PLUS: SHELLY BEACH LIVE WEBCAM

If you ever want to know the conditions are like on the beach or at the club, you can get regular daily snapshots of the ocean and the slipway with this live webcam.

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Also discover Shelly Beach Ski-Boat Club. See all the ski-boat clubs in Natal.

For some more awesome yellowtail fishing in August further afield, check out the West Coast Yzerfontein Yellowtail Challenge at Yzerfontein Boat Angling Club.

Discover more winter fishing competitions in June and all the year’s big fishing tournaments.

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THE PURSUIT OF AWESOME

Legend also has it that CarryCats and every other boat runs better under Suzuki power. Discover it for yourself among these Suzuki outboards.

BUILT FOR FISHING

Legend has it that it’s more fun fishing in a CarryCat. So tell your friends who might not know yet to check out the little-big CarryCat 670, the next-level CarryCat 740 and the all-round great fisher CarryCat 760.

Discover more specs, options and configurations for bass boats, riverboats and ski boats under our section on new boats.

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BE THE FIRST TO KNOW

To ensure you always get first dibs on the latest deals and be the first to know about new, events and special offers by joining the Nauti-Tech Suzuki Facebook community and signing up for our newsletter.

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Need to refurbish, refit and revive your boat? Take a peek inside our award-winning Suzuki Marine workshop.