Paddle surfers could yet be racing for gold medals down the River Seine at the 2024 Olympics if a row over who controls the sport is resolved soon, the head of the Association of Paddlesurf Professionals (APP) believes. The International Surfing Association (ISA) and the International Canoe Federation (ICF) both claim it and last year placed their dispute over the running of the booming sport into the hands of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
"We are waiting to see what happens with the CAS arbitration which is unfortunate for everybody," APP chief executive Tristan Boxford, a former professional windsurfer, told Reuters in an interview at a World Tour race on the River Thames on Saturday. "Now we are late for Paris but it's still possible. I was in Lausanne the other day and I had a good conversation with the (International Olympic Committee) guys there who said it was still possible to get this resolved and we could get fast-tracked to Paris. "They love the idea of it, from what I understand they love the younger feel. If they had the opportunity to have the world's best stand-up paddlers battling it out down the River Seine it would be fantastic." It is easy to see why a dispute arose as the sport has elements of surfing and kayaking, with participants standing on a board propelling themselves forward with a paddle which, according to the ICF, means it should fall under its auspices. Paddle boarding evolved from surfing in Hawaii in the 1960s but its recent boom has centred on stand-up paddling (SUP) with both disciplines part of the AAP's World Tour since 2012. Racing can be over a sprint distance or much longer, such as the 13.5-km season-opener that saw the world's top 20 men and women compete in the London SUP Open from the iconic Tower Bridge to Putney Bridge on Saturday. Other stop-offs include San Francisco and New York. Boxford said that the appeal of stand-up paddling lay in its accessibility, relative ease to learn and the fact that it could be enjoyed on rivers, lakes, oceans and even inner-city canals. He said 850 paddle surfers took part in an event in Paris on a freezing cold morning last winter. "It started off as a surfing sport but people realised that there was something in between, where a traditional surfing sport could be practised anywhere there is water," he said. "The light bulb kind of went on and we saw the potential of racing and then we launched the World Tour in 2012." With the rise in popularity of the sport showing no sign of slowing down, Boxford said it was frustrating that its progress had hit choppy waters with the ownership dispute. "Suddenly the ICF came and saw an opportunity with stand-up paddling grabbing everyone's attention," he said. "They have had sports that have been around for a long time but are not necessarily growing and then they saw a sport that is growing exponentially and saw an opportunity, which I understand, because it's a business opportunity. "But the athletes are the losers because there is confusion." Last year the ICF's attempt to host a Stand-Up Paddling world championships in Portugal was scuppered, but it will stage the event this October on China's Yellow Sea Coast. "It's unfortunate because the sport is young, there is not that much money in it and this dilutes the message and spreads the athletes," Boxford said of the ICF's competition. "They are tired of it and want this resolved." SOURCE: REUTERS via SBS. The government of Bangladesh has imposed a ban on all types of fishing off its coastal region from 20 May to 23 July 2019 to ensure the safe and sustainable accumulation of fish reserves. The coast guard and navy will be patrolling the Bay of Bengal to enforce the ban. However, for the fishing communities, most of whom depend on fishing for their daily subsistence, the decision is a big blow. Although the government has promised to provide monthly rations to affected fishers, the latter are voicing out their frustrations and the challenges they will be facing for the next two months. Fishing in Bangladesh Traditionally, Bangladesh relies on fishing to feed its estimated population of 163 million. More than 60 percent of the animal protein intake in the Bangladeshi diet comes from fish. The country has an exclusive economic zone of 41,000 square miles in the Bay of Bengal which is 73% of the country's total land and maritime areas. There are approximately 475 species of fish, 36 species of shrimp, 15 species of crab, and 301 species of snail and oyster in the Bay of Bengal among others; and around 100 species are fished commercially. There is an estimated two million fisherfolk across the country and around 18.2 million people are employed in fisheries and aquaculture industries. Around half a million fisherfolk earn their livelihood from the coastal region. In recent years fish stocks worldwide have started declining because of overfishing and due to the effects of climate change. This is also the case in Bangladesh. Short-term bans on commercial fishing in limited areas had been enforced in the past few years, but this is the first time that all fishing boats have been banned for a lengthy period. This includes local fisherfolk who work in the rivers and in the seas. Authorities said that this ban will be continually enforced in the succeeding years during the breeding season to boost fish stocks. The State Minister For Fisheries and Livestock Ashraf Ali Khan Khasru told the media: These resources will deplete one day if we do not use them sustainably. We should let fish grow and breed. Otherwise, we will have to suffer in the future. Last October, the government banned the fishing of the national fish Hilsa (Ilish) for 22 days to allow the fish to lay their eggs and migrate from the Bay of Bengal to the Meghna and other river systems. Data collected by WorldFish from Hilsa sanctuaries showed that the total Hilsa catch increased by 28 percent, from 387,211 metric tons to 496,417 metric tons in the 2015 and 2016 harvest seasons due to similar bans. Last March 2019, the government has imposed a 60-day ban on the fishing of all sorts of fish in Padma, Meghna and their tributary rivers adjacent to different areas of Chandpur, Bhola and Lakshmipur. The government also banned fishing in Kaptai lake, the largest man-made lake in Bangladesh for three months. Read the full Global Voices article here. Five man-made floating devices designed to attract specific fish to a recreational fishing reef off Torquay in Victoria have been removed.
Victorian fisheries divers removed the fish aggregation devices in time for the winter whale migration. The floating devices are objects that attract pelagic marine fish. These devices are used globally to improve recreational fishing catches. In recent months, there have been reports of small kingfish captures near the devices at Torquay. As divers were 25 metres deep detaching the lines, they spotted exciting diverse marine life teeming around the reef modules. "Victoria's kingfish populations have boomed in recent years and they are now a popular target species for anglers with boats capable of heading offshore." Each FAD consists of a large floating surface buoy attached to a long rope that descends 25 metres to the concrete reef modules below. Flashing lights on the FAD ensure safe navigation in low light and at night. Pelagic fish are attracted to structure, so the rope acts like pathway that guides them upwards to a smaller sub-surface buoy, then to another rope that leads to the surface. The FADs are removed to reduce the risk of damage during large winter swells or entanglement during whale migration. The Torquay reef was deployed in 2015 about three kilometres offshore. It is Victoria's biggest artificial reef, funded largely by recreational fishing licence fees. The reef consists of 25 concrete modules, up to four metres high and weighing up to 20 tonnes each, arranged into five clusters of five. Each cluster will host one FAD on the surface. The Torquay reef's border coordinates are:
The 2019 SIMRAD Victorian Broadbill Championship is currently on in Lakes Entrance, Victoria until 11 June 👏😃 It’s a massive event and a celebration of game fishing in Victoria: https://vgfc.wildapricot.org/event-3281115 Swordfish can live for 15 years, grow up to 4.5 metres and weigh up to 540kg. They’re highly migratory and found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans. Targeting swordfish is growing in popularity across the south-east coast of Australia including Vic and Tas because they’re a great sportfish and excellent eating. In Victoria, swordfish carry a bag and possession limit of 1 and have no legal size limit. Recreational fishing in Gippsland is worth $300 million to the Victorian economy and the average spend per trip for this type of fishing is over $400 - all of which supports regional businesses. East Gippsland has become a hot-spot for swordfish with national records (official and unofficial) being smashed. Lakes Entrance and Mallacoota have seen some giants ranging from 349kg to 436kg. Swordfish are usually found in depths of up to 550m, typically residing along the edge of the continental shelf, with deep-drop offs the most common strategy to target them. Anglers have invested their fishing licence fees into valuable research to help inform our future management of swordfish to ensure sustainability. Dr. Sean Tracey from the University of Tasmania and Institute for Marine & Antarctic Studies is working with anglers to tag swordfish. The tags record the swordfish’s movements and water temperature, depth and light intensity. 🐟👏 #target1million #gamefishingvictoria #fishinglicencefeesatwork Swordfish season has been off to a ripper start. Across social media, we’ve seen anglers catching fish weighing up to 190kg!
Swordfish are usually found in depths of up to 550 metres, typically residing along the edge of the continental shelf, with deep-drop fishing the most common way to target a swordfish. They love it when the water temperature is around 18.5 degrees. While they are found feeding closer to the surface at night, daytime fishing for swordfish has become popular amongst keen anglers. As the baits are dropped to such deep depths, using lights to attract the fish as part of the bait set up is a must-have when targeting swords. Using a circle hook can improve the chances of post-release survival if releasing the fish. If you’re a keen Swordfish fisher, make this one in your diaries. Gippsland Lakes Fishing Club in conjunction with the Victorian Game Fishing Club are hosting the 2019 SIMRAD Victorian Broadbill Swordfish Championship until June 10 2019. In April last year, a huge 349-kilogram swordfish was caught off the coast near Lakes Entrance by Matthew Boyle, owner of Hot Shot Charters. It was reeled in after a five-hour long fight on a 37-kilogram line. Want more info? Head to https://www.vrfish.com.au SIC Maui and the WPA (World Paddle Association)announce the debut of the “ONE CLASS” race class that officially kicked off at the 2019 Salt Life Cup in Columbus, Georgia this month. The “ONE CLASS” is now recognized by the WPA and will be included as a recognized race class at select events in 2019, and will have an expanded race schedule in 2020. The goal of “ONE CLASS” racing is to attract paddle enthusiasts to the competitive side of paddling while keeping it fun, fair and affordable with an emphasis on FUN to best grow the sport. The ONE CLASS course is a short and easy one to two-mile course, depending on the event. The ONE CLASS includes identical boards and dimensions with the SIC Sonic (12'6” x 30") which has a nice glide, is very stable, and is suited for paddlers of nearly any age, size, and ability. “ONE CLASS is leveling the playing field within racing and is opening the doors to new paddlers whether they are male, female or youth paddlers. It also allows paddlers who are so inclined to graduate up into open and elite-class, but we all had to start somewhere” states, Anthony Scaturro, Global Brand Manager for SIC. The ONE CLASS format will be a series of heat races at each supported event with 6-12 paddlers per heat all using the identical SIC Sonic board, and the Sonic’s predecessors, the BIC Wing and OXBOW Explore. “We believe this is a great way to get more people introduced to stand up paddling and in a fun race format with a board that can be used in everyday fitness and touring. This gives everyone a chance to feel what it is like to race without a whole lot of pressure,” states Byron Kurt, President of the WPA. If you are interested in offering a ONE CLASS race or series please contact Casi Rynkowski (SIC Maui) at casi.rynkowski@bicsport.com and or Byron Kurt atbyron@worldpaddleassociation.com About SIC Maui SIC is the stand up paddling industry’s premiere manufacturer of high quality, race proven stand up paddleboards and accessories. Founded on the island of Maui and cultivated on a legacy of world class open ocean racing, SIC is an authentic stand up paddleboard maker proud to lay claim to a heritage of designing the most winning board. Share together with our team of elite athletes, brand ambassadors and customers around the globe. Five Star Performance is our motto and we wear it with pride each day through our commitment to extending the SIC experience on and off the water to our growing family. SIC is committed to delivering the very best paddling can offer; for any condition, discipline or ability level. For more information please visit www.sicmaui.com About WPA (World Paddle Association The mission of the WPA is to provide a comprehensive voice, fair and equal access and organizational structure to the sport of Stand Up Paddling (SUP) and its participants in a manner that benefits the collective paddling community for the best growth of the sport. Since 2009, the WPA was the first paddling organization to offer rules and guidelines so events would be fair and fun. For more information, please visit www.worldpaddleassociation.com Oregon man builds his own baidarka before embarking on his trip along southern coast of Alaska. By MATTHEW DENIS, The Register-Guard Paddling amid the gentle swells lapping between the Ketchikan Peninsula and various islands on Alaska’s southern coast, native Aleuts hunted from long, bone- and driftwood-constructed kayaks. The boats cut through the water like a sleek barracuda, sliding on the stretched seal skin covering of its structure. They called the craft a baidarka. It was so important, the Aleut considered the canoe to be a living thing. Peter Marquardt of Eugene has been dreaming of sailing the Alaskan coast — in his own baidarka — since high school more than 30 years ago. As a teenager, water provided an escape from the harrowing memory of childhood sexual abuse. After a physical altercation with his male guardian when Marquardt was 15, he and his mother fled to her native Germany in order to avoid further violence. Two years later, Marquardt washed ashore in the refuge of the wet Northwest. In Seattle in 1986, the steel blue Puget Sound called. Marquardt took to sea as many a foolhardy teenager does, launching from Des Moines, paddling north along the coast with no plan and only the vague hope of making it as far as he could. Before he could even make it around the Olympic Peninsula, Marquardt was called back to his job driving a bus on the Trailways Rocky Mountain Line out of Denver. Three months later, he’d try the journey again, this time going south instead of north. On that second audacious attempt at kayaking the Pacific Coast, the young Marquardt pitch-poled his boat, flipping it from bow to stern instead of sideways. Thwarted, he returned to shore, saddled not only with a broken boat but bloody feet from the barnacle-ridden shallows. “I was in the Coast Guard and I have paranoia about getting my feet caught in the boat, so I always kayak barefoot,” Marquardt said. Undefeated, the young man was still called to the water. Upon his return to Seattle, Marquardt spotted a WWII freighter tied to the dock and checked around as to its provenance. “It turned out to be a humanitarian aid ship,” Marquardt said. “A week later, I was working on the ship.” After four or five months, Marquardt signed on as a permanent crewman but had to remain on dry land, fixing up the old freighter for years before she’d be declared seaworthy. Marquardt ended up at sea for seven years, meeting his future wife, who was part of the crew. When the couple finally returned to shore, Marquardt and his new family — his twin sons were on the way — settled in the Willamette Valley. The dream of sailing the coast in a baidarka would have to wait until children were raised. The name baidarka means “small boat” in Russian. According to Guillemot Kayaks, which design baidarkas. Russians used to force natives to hunt sea otters from baidarkas traveling along the entire North and South American coast to sell in China. Because the boat is so efficient in rough ocean waters, baidarka are still in use today. Two years ago, Marquardt was able to obtain work plans from the Laughing Loon in Maine, created by a man who built his own baidarka to navigate the north Atlantic coast. Though the plans were easy enough to acquire, construction has been an interesting mix of serendipity and trial and error. As the recreation director at Eugene’s Cascade Manor retirement community, Marquardt was able to salvage a large amount of wood from demolished buildings. “I started stripping the wood from there,” Marquardt said. “I’m kind of anal about what I’m doing; I ended up making 22 stern pieces and couldn’t get them right.” Riding his bicycle home from work one day, he stopped to comment on the beauty of a man’s homemade play structure. After they got to talking, Marquardt found out the man’s neighbor was also building a baidarka. The man ended up providing solid direction for Marquardt.
Ninety-eight percent of the boat is cedar strips, much of it purchased from Lost Creek Industries. A small part of the boat’s wood, however, carries a large significance. “A friend of mine who died had all this mahogany in his home,” Marquardt said. “Now I like to say ‘George will lead the way’ because the bow is built from that wood.” The oldest wood on the baidarka is more than 500 years old, pulled from a Springfield swamp 80 years ago when, according to the rings, it was 460 years old. On May 10, more than three decades after first fantasizing about piloting a baidarka along the Alaskan coast, and after two years of construction, Marquardt set off to finally achieve his dream: kayaking in an 18-foot baidarka made from his own two hands. Marquardt the father is be accompanied by two 17-foot Pygmy-brand kayaks piloted by his twin sons, Mackenzie and Nicolai. They’re winding their way down Alaska’s Ketchikan Peninsula — traveling about 700 to 800 miles in all — to either Bellingham or Seattle 100 miles south, depending on their speed over the two-month journey. Even though the project is almost complete, it hasn’t been cheap. To finance materials for an 18-foot homemade baidarka and two additional kayaks for his sons, Marquardt started a Go Fund Me page under his name and the name of his venture, “The Dancing Otter Project.” This will be the realization of a lifelong dream and the culmination of years spent healing deep wounds. In addition, Marquardt created “The Dancing Otter Project” on Facebook “to create an environment where those with PTSD can go on a shared journey as part of a team of sea kayakers. The exposure to wind and sea, team experiences and the facing of high adrenaline situations will help all of us.” Marquardt sees a need to help veterans who are struggling. According to the Department of Defense’s Suicide Event Report, the suicide rate for the Army, the branch most affected, peaked in 2012 at 29.9 suicides per 100,000 people, more than twice the national average of 12.6 suicides per 100,000 people. The service saw 165 suicides that year, about one death every 2.2 days. Marquardt said his inaugural journey will prove that his boat is seaworthy and that he knows what he’s doing. Veterans organizations he contacted before the trip weren’t willing to join the project without that reassurance. So, Marquardt will make the initial trip with his sons. “The route is pretty standard,” Marquardt said. “A number of books have been written about this route going back to the 1990s and natives have been doing this for millennia.
U.S. Coast Guard crews rescued a man who became separated from his kayak off the windy Bodega Bay coast Sunday afternoon.
The man was checking his crab pots near the Bodega Bay jetty when winds blew the kayak further off shore around 1 p.m., according to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s helicopter Henry 1 was patrolling the coast at the time and arrived in less than five minutes. The helicopter searched south of the jetty as a Coast Guard lifeboat left the Bodega Bay harbor to join the search. The helicopter crew located the empty kayak about a mile off shore between Doran and Dillon beaches, more than 3 miles from the original search location, sheriff’s officials said. The helicopter landed on a bluff so a deputy could put on a wetsuit and prepare for a long-line aerial rescue, then flew south of the kayak to continue the search. The Coast Guard’s 147-foot lifeboat headed north, and a man was spotted on shore about four minutes later. The Coast Guard continued the search to be sure the kayaker was no longer in the water, Coast Guard Bodega Bay officer in charge Jeremiah Wolf said. “Out mantra is always be ready, and they kept searching” Wolf said. The lifeboat crew found the missing kayaker in the water about a mile south of the jetty and more than a mile offshore, Wolf said. Two crewmen on the lifeboat were able to lift the man out of the water and into the boat. “He had a leak in his dry suit and water got inside. He was hypothermic and if not for his life jacket, this would be a different story,” Wolf said. Bodega Bay Volunteer Fire Department medics examined the man on shore and he was taken to a hospital for treatment of hypothermia, according to the sheriff’s office. The Coast Guard recovered the man’s kayak. Recreational fishers have been urged to report any sightings of the illegal use of fish traps, after three abandoned devices were reported in the Gascoyne recently.
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development officers confirmed traps were set in Wapet Creek, south of Exmouth reported via the FishWatch hotline. Fish traps are prohibited in Western Australia due to the potential impacts on aquatic life. Department supervising fisheries and marine officer Darren Schofield said traps indiscriminately catch fish, crabs and other animals, including protected species. “Animals that need to return to the surface to breathe are particularly at risk of getting caught in traps, including mammals, reptiles and birds, as they are unable to escape and subsequently drown,” Mr Schofield said. “Traps left abandoned, continue to catch aquatic life, known as ghost trapping, where deceased fish or other organisms caught in the trap attract more organisms and the cycle starts over again.” Mr Schofield said an untargeted animal was found in the traps set in Wapet Creek. “Disturbingly, our officers found a green turtle, which had drowned,” he said. “Department officers are now following up on some investigative pathways with the aim of apprehending the offender or offenders.” Mr Schofield said the discovery highlighted the importance of reporting any illegal fishing activity to FishWatch as soon as possible. “Once a report is made, a text message is sent to department officers on duty to investigate,” he said. “All information is recorded to aid current and possible further investigations.” The use of fish traps can attract fines of up to $5000, with additional penalties of 10 times the value of the fish taken. “For example, if two mud crabs were taken using a fish trap, a fine of up to $5000 plus $120 per crab could result in a fine of $5240, which can be a pretty expensive outing,” Mr Schofield said. Any suspect illegal fish or fishing activities should be reported to the department’s FishWatch hotline on 1800 815 507. Casting a line into Barkers Creek Reservoir at Harcourt just got a whole lot easier now that kayaks and canoes are permitted.
Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards said a key component of the State Government’s $34 million Target One Million plan is better on-water access to reservoirs across Victoria. This waterway is the first to have new access arrangements implemented, delivering on an election commitment that will get more people fishing, more often and boost participation to one million anglers by 2020. It is also the first time a Coliban Water reservoir has been opened for on-water access of any kind. Barkers Creek Reservoir is stocked with trout annually, grown at the Victorian Fisheries Authority’s (VFA) Snobs Creek hatchery, near Eildon. Thanks to an exciting new development last month, it was also stocked for the first time with tens of thousands of golden perch fingerlings. With plans to stock silver perch and Murray cod, anglers can expect great year-round fishing for trout in winter and native fish in summer. Electric motors may be used on canoes and kayaks if they travel below 5 knots. In the future, on-water access will be further expanded to include boats, on the proviso they’re only powered by electric motors. Work will begin on improving car parking and boat launching facilities shortly. The VFA will continue to work with water authorities to expand on-water access and improve facilities at several reservoirs including Tullaroop, Lauriston, Malmsbury, Upper Coliban and Hepburn Lagoon. Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards said, "We promised to open up on-water access to reservoirs and that’s exactly what we’ve delivered.” “Fisheries has worked swiftly with Coliban Water to facilitate on-water access so that trout anglers can enjoy productive autumn and winter fishing this year.” “Target One Million is delivering a suite of commitments to make freshwater fishing even better including building a new hatchery at Shepparton, increasing fish stocking to 10 million by 2022 and improving access to Crown frontage along rivers.” Water Minister Lisa Neville also stated, “We’re making our water assets more accessible for all Victorians, to improve the health and wellbeing of the community by supporting our recreational values.” Learn more about Target One Million at www.vfa.vic.gov.au/targetonemillion2. The Fiji government and the High Court have halted a major resort development on a Fijian Island after extensive environmental damage was revealed by a Newsroom investigation. The Chinese developer was brought to his knees by the efforts of local landowners, two Australian surfers and a Kiwi-born lawyer.
They thought they had bought their own piece of tropical paradise. In 2015, Australian surfers Woody Jack and Navrin Fox purchased a 99-year lease on an acre of land on Fiji’s beautiful Mololo Island. They gave a share to a friend, Ratu Jona Joseva, a local who runs a business ferrying surfers out to the world-renowned Cloud break. Joseva lives in the island’s main village and is from one of the three clans that own land on Malolo. Jack and Fox had surfed the break many times and fell in love with the area. They were in no hurry to do anything with the land which could only be accessed by boat at high tide. Longer term they had plans to build a small number of eco-friendly houses, and maybe offer accommodation to surfers. Last year they got a phone call from Joseva saying something was up. A Chinese developer had moved onto the land next door and was ripping the place apart. Click the links below to read and watch the story as it unfiolded. PART 1 PART 2 PART 3 https://www.newsroom.co.nz/ By Jase Andrews, Host of All 4 Adventure
Getting the whole family excited about a week out in the bush for an off-road trip is one thing, but keeping the kids both entertained and happy around the campsite without WiFi is another art form; one that Jase Andrews, father of two and host of Australia’s #1 outdoor adventure TV show All 4 Adventures knows all too well. So here it is: how to get your kids excited about a week without WiFi Include them in the planning process Involve the kids in the planning process and discuss with them the places you could go and why. Are there any unique landmarks, flora and fauna to be seen and experienced? Waterfalls, mountains to climb, rapids to surf or even dangers to navigate? On top of this, get them excited about the upcoming activities: be it fishing rapids, quad biking, horse riding, discovering caves or the like. The important thing is: make it an all-inclusive decision-making process. This will help them feel like they have ownership and thus your kids will be more invested in the trip. Packing Now that you have the blueprint in place, it’s time to get them involved in the ‘what do we need specifically for this trip’ discussion. Sit down as a family and brainstorm the essentials - like food, water and warm clothes - as well as a few luxury items. Then, when it comes time to load up the rig and set off, they’ll head into the trip less of a passenger and more of a co-pilot on the road. Hitting the Road Before you hit the road, load the car up on snacks, drinks, neck pillows and things to keep the kids busy. Technology provides a lot of engagement and can do so for hours on end, but balancing this out with real time, real people and places is important for a child’s social development. Try to go device free for the full nature experience - but, if you’re staring down the barrel of a long drive and potentially some very bored kids, consider an offline gaming device like the Nintendo Switch - but only in the car, let them know that once they get there, it’s time for a break from the screen. On Location Once you’re on location, you’re going to need to keep your kids busy. And we mean busy. So make sure you jam-pack their days with exciting and fun activities - especially on the first leg of the trip while they are weaning themselves off technology. That means planning out a full itinerary for each day. Start with the fun stuff. Try planning a scavenger hunt for them (make sure you keep safety in mind). But be sure to let them figure things out: counting the rocks that line the creek crossing, types of trees to be identified and spotting native animals. Have a competition who can first spot a kangaroo or wallaby or find a specific plant or bush tucker. But the fun activities won’t fill up their day. The next step is giving your kids, like I do mine, daily tasks. Rather than calling them chores, let them know that their tasks are integral to the running of the campsite - this works especially well with the younger crowd. Teenagers on the hand might be tougher to motivate. Nonetheless, jobs, like gathering firewood and starting the evening fire, prepping for breakfast, lunch and dinner, are essential day-to-day tasks. As time goes on, they won’t even be thinking about the internet. Be sure to point out why being in nature is a wonderful thing, whenever you can. Let them know they can be as loud as they like and teach them the joy of exploring. This really helps them to appreciate that they are no longer in suburbia. Lastly, get them up early on the first couple of days, to ensure they are tired at night and can actually sleep without longing for WiFi and the usual pre-bed browse. Whether it’s paddling down the creek, going fishing, hunting for bush tucker and quad-biking through the bush, the key is for activities and games to rule over technology. With a bit of luck, your kids will be running and climbing all over the place, just like you used to do. Happy WiFi-free Camping, Jase Once you've found the perfect kayak for you, and you're ready to go kayaking, there's one other thing that you need to learn about first. You need to know how to take care of your kayak, otherwise, you may find that your kayak doesn't last nearly as long as you would like it to. Once you've found the perfect kayak for you, and you're ready to go kayaking, there's one other thing that you need to learn about first. You need to know how to take care of your kayak, otherwise, you may find that your kayak doesn't last nearly as long as you would like it to. Considering how much kayaks tend to cost, this should definitely be a priority for you. One thing that you should keep in mind regarding kayak maintenance is that like most things, a little bit of prevention can go a long way. As a result, you should make sure that you do a little bit of regular maintenance on your kayak. This way, you'll be able to keep your kayak nice, and you won't have to worry about doing a lot of maintenance all at once when something breaks. First, you should always make sure that you wash your kayak regularly. This will help keep it clean, and will also make sure that you can see if there is anything on the kayak that could cause problems later. This is especially important if you are kayaking in salt water, since the salt can corrode parts of your kayak. You should also make sure that you rinse the inside of your kayak as well if any salt water got inside. You should make sure that your kayak does not have any holes in it, too - and you can do this before you find yourself sitting in a leaking kayak out at sea. All you have to do is put a flashlight inside of the kayak and cover the cockpit. Then put the kayak in a dark room. If you see any areas of light then that means that you have a crack in your kayak. This is the best way for you to decide if you have a crack in your actual kayak instead of just in the paint. Cracks in the paint will make your boat look worse than it is, but they won't do any real structural damage to your kayak. Finally, if you don't want your paint to fade and you're worried about the boat warping at all, then you should store it indoors and out of the sun temperature changes. Source: Jakob Jelling - ArticlesFactory.com Paddle boarding with the kids on your board makes for a great experience on activity holidays for families. We’ve got some tips before you head out.
If paddle boarding is your passion, you may be looking forward to the day when your kids are old enough to join you out on the water. Activity holidays for families are so much more fun when everyone can participate, and paddle boarding is no different! The good news is, once your children are at least two years of age, you will be able to take them out with you on your board! But first, here are some tips before you go. Equipment & Safety Before taking your kids out onto your paddleboard, make sure your board is the right size for the weight of you and your little ones combined. Otherwise, it’s going to be challenging to balance, turn and steer efficiently. We recommend you take one or two kids between the ages of two and six out on the paddleboat with you, with older children on their own child’s paddleboard. Because the paddle boarding and surfing culture are closely related, life jackets are not always worn by paddlers. However, we always encourage life jackets to be worn during activity holidays for families who plan on spending time in the water. It is imperative your kids wear lifejackets, even if they are strong swimmers and even if you choose to forgo wearing one yourself. If the paddleboard were to flip over (and it probably will at some point), your young ones will end up in the water, and possibly unexpectedly. Life jackets will help them to stabilise themselves in the water quickly. Starting Out To start, choose an area in the water that is calm, free of waves and wind, and away from other water activities. It is best to seat your kids on the board in very shallow water and get them comfortable before moving out deeper. Place them in front of the middle point of the board, and let them get used to the tippy feeling in the water by encouraging them to move from a seating position to kneeling, and then back to seating. Then it’s your turn to climb onto the back of the board in a kneeling position to start, until you and your young ones get balanced and are feeling comfortable, before standing and paddling out into deeper water. Extras Add to the fun of a day paddle boarding by bringing along a few sand toys for your little ones to play with while on the board, to keep them from getting restless or bored. Snacks are always a must for any activity holidays for families, so don’t forget to pack some nutritious food to curb hunger, as well as water. Of course, be sure to bring all empty containers and wrappers back on land so as to keep the water free of garbage. You really don’t have to wait for your kids to grow up before enjoying a day of paddle boarding with them! They will love being out with you on your board and will look forward to the day when they too can paddle on their own beside you. Source: Richard Edwards, Articles Factory The introduction of kayak fishing hand paddles has revolutionized the paddle sports industry. Paddle sportsmen are enthusiastically embracing kayak fishing hand paddles to remain competitive. Kayak fishing hand paddles provide a simple and stealthy capability to fish, hunt or photograph. Since the introduction of kayak fishing hand paddles, paddle sports, particularly the sports of kayak fishing, hunting and photography has embraced these simple, yet indispensable paddling accessories with open arms. Having open arms, at least free hands, while fishing, hunting of taking pictures is what every paddle sportsman desires. Paddle sportsmen want to focus on one thing and one thing only. They want success in getting close enough to catch, capture or photograph their prey. The last thing a paddle sportsman wants to do is scare their prey away, or not be at the ready, before they have the opportunity to perform. Kayak fishing hand paddles make it much easier to keep fishing, hunting or your subject within the camera view finder without spooking your elusive prey. The problem all paddle sportsmen encounter is how to stealthily maneuver their boat within close proximity while still accomplishing their mission! Compact and lightweight, kayak fishing hand paddles allow you to stow those bulky, seven foot kayak paddles. Simply keep an eight ounce kayak fishing hand paddles between your legs, or within easy reach, and with one hand, stealthily move your boat to within range without ever setting down your fishing rod, gun or camera. Now you can easily fish, hunt and photograph while moving your boat! Previously, the kayak sportsman got as close as he could with his seven foot kayak paddles. Once on target, he commenced to do what he came to do. As we know, wildlife becomes very skittish when man, whom they view as a predator, enters their protected domain. The natural tendency of wildlife is to move away from their predator, with stealth if possible. The more action you provide in your approach, the faster and further they flee. Wildlife often watch with intrigue as you approach from a distance, however, encroaching into their fight or flight zone, wariness ensues. Flailing seven foot kayak paddles while in close proximity to wildlife is tantamount to certain failure. They will soon be gone. Kayak anglers continually find it necessary to stealthily move their kayak short distances to stalk their prey. Fish are always on the move. Facing a common dilemma as how to keep fishing, move your boat and not scare prey away, became problematic. Having to break out their seven foot kayak paddle and lay down their fishing rod just to move their kayak a few yards put them in jeopardy of losing sight or frightening away their prized lunker. Fish have eyes, and believe me, those eyes are always looking for predators. No matter how stealthy you are while flailing seven foot kayak paddles, it is surely to grab their attention and send your prize darting away. Duck hunters find kayaks as the ultimate method of quietly sneaking across lagoons, lakes or ponds. Getting your boat situated in the reeds or cat tails, sliding into a blind or silently slithering along the surface is paramount to successful duck hunting. Turning your boat for the correct presentation to aim your gun without sending the flock flying is easier said than done. Again, having to break out your seven foot kayak paddle and setting down your gun to attempt a stealthy maneuver without scattering the flock is a challenge most duck hunters wish to avoid. Water fowl, shore birds and marine mammals live in a very dynamic environment and are particularly hard to photograph unless you have a plan, or a huge telephoto lens. Kayak photography has taken off as the innovative method for obtaining those natural habitat photos of wildlife. Half the battle of getting that perfect photograph is being in the right place at the right time. Paddle sportsman, particularly paddle photographers, are taking advantage of the stealth that kayaks provide in locating and snapping that once in a lifetime shot. However, just like fish and ducks, marine wildlife is easily spooked by flailing objects. Breaking out those seven foot kayak paddles to maneuver closer for your shot is a guarantee that your subject will be spooked. Photograph missed. Kayak fishing hand paddles provide the ultimate opportunity for paddle sportsmen to stealthily maneuver their boat in any scenario. Whether you are kayak angler, duck hunter, or paddle sports photographer, having the capability to stealthily maneuver your boat determines whether you become a player or get skunked. Kayak fishing hand paddles simply allow you to put away those awkward kayak paddles, stealthily move your kayak one-handed and successfully keep fishing, hunting or shooting photos. Red Bull Partners with World Surf League in Global, Multi-Tour DealThe World Surf League (WSL) announced the Red Bull Airborne Series, a three-event specialty series that highlights aerial surfing.
After the success of the Red Bull Airborne specialty event in France last year, WSL will launch the new Red Bull Airborne Series in three locations: Gold Coast in Australia, Keramas in Bali, and Hossegor in France. 2019 Red Bull Airborne Schedule
"After the success of the Red Bull Airborne France in 2018, we are excited to launch the Red Bull Airborne Series," said Sophie Goldschmidt, WSL CEO. "Thanks to Red Bull's support, we can now launch Red Bull Airborne events on the Gold Coast, in Keramas, and in Hossegor. Additionally through this partnership, Red Bull will activate against the WSL's unique Championship Tour and Big Wave properties to engage both consumers and athletes. By working closely with Red Bull, their innovation and support will help us further elevate and promote the sport." The Red Bull Airborne Series will launch in conjunction with a global partnership between WSL and Red Bull. The three-year partnership through 2021 sees Red Bull as the official energy drink of the Championship Tour (CT), Big Wave Tour (BWT), and Big Wave Awards. The partnership between WSL and Red Bull will not only offer fans new original content that will take viewers behind-the-scenes at WSL events but will also provide onsite activations for fans at CT and Red Bull Airborne events. The partnership will also include enhanced areas for competitors with additional training equipment. The Red Bull Airborne Series will feature an 18-surfer field across two rounds. The first round will host six qualifying heats with six surfers in each heat. The second round will be the six-person Final. All three events will run in conjunction with the 2019 Championship Tour stops on the Gold Coast, in Keramas, and in Hossegor. Josh Kerr (AUS), former CT surfer and universally-regarded as one of the most progressive aerialists in the history of surfing, is one of the co-developers of the Red Bull Airborne Series and will serve as Competition Director. Kerr views the Red Bull Airborne as the first step towards providing tomorrow's surfers with a new platform for innovative expression in the water. Red Bull has a rich history in surfing dating back nearly 25 years and is synonymous with athletes, creative projects, groundbreaking events, and content. Red Bull has entered into a long-term global partnership with the WSL to continue to strengthen and solidify its footprint in surfing globally. Fans can watch the Red Bull Airborne Gold Coast during the opening stop on the 2019 Championship Tour, the Quiksilver Pro and Boost Mobile Pro Gold Coast, from April 3 - 13, 2019 on WorldSurfLeague.com. Also, check local listings for coverage from WSL's broadcast partners. Learn more about the Red Bull Airborne Series Club Outrigger Whitsunday wins 13 medals at National Sprint Titles
Members of Club Outrigger Whitsunday of Airlie Beach, North Queensland, were highly successful at the National Sprint Titles held at the Sunshine Coast (Feb 1st to 3rd), with a medal tally of two gold, ten silver and one bronze medals won by senior members of the team over the three-day competition. A further two Silver and one Bronze medals were won by junior members. Organised by the Australian Outrigger Canoe Racing Association (AOCRA), the event was held at Lake Kawana, home to AOCRA on the Sunshine Coast. Members of Club Outrigger Whitsunday contested events in V1 (rudderless canoe), OC1 (ruddered canoe) and OC6 and V12 (six and 12 paddlers) over sprint distances of 250, 500 and 1000 metres, in the categories of the Junior, Senior and Golden Masters Divisions. Club Outrigger Whitsunday Senior and Golden Masters team members included Tanya Faust, Michelle Lynes, Maree Mullett, Mark Bell, Glen Bray, Sean England, Geoff Harrison, Terry Kemp, Henry Mauri and Joe Wilson. Coby and Ella Doblo of the Club Outrigger Whitsunday Juniors competed in the under 12 categories in the OC1, V1 & V12 events. Team members won Gold medals for the 12-person Golden Master mixed 500m V12 sprint event and Silver medals for the Senior Master mixed 500m and 1000m sprint event. The team also won a Bronze medal for the OC6 Golden Master Mens 1000m sprint. Michelle Lynes won a silver medal for the Senior Master Women’s OC1 500m sprint event, with team member Joe Wilson winning a further Silver medal for the Senior Master Mens V1 solo sprint event and also Gold in the Senior Master Mens OC1. Coby Doblo of the Club Outrigger Whitsunday Juniors won a Silver medal in the under 12 boys 250m OC1 Sprint event. Coby also teamed up with the Gold Coast Outrigger Canoe Club junior team to compete in the V12 250m sprint event where they scored a further Silver medal. Ella Doblo competed in the OC1 250m sprint event winning a Bronze medal, also teaming up with the Redcliffe Outrigger Canoe Club under 12 years V12 sprint event, winning a Bronze medal. Club Outrigger Whitsunday achieved ninth overall position out of 25 clubs competing at the National Sprint Titles, the highest ranking the club has achieved at this annual event. “It was a great result for the club which faced the highest levels of competition from some of the leading Outrigger Clubs in the country,” said Mark Bell of the Club Outrigger Whitsunday team, who also competed in the event. “Competition was very strong with only 1.3 seconds separating the first five team placings in the OC6 Senior Masters event,” added Mark. Newcomers interested in outrigger paddling are invited to enjoy an introduction to the sport and to meet members of the club on February 20th at Shingley Beach from 05.30pm onwards. Club Outrigger Whitsunday wishes to thank its major sponsors of Abell Point Marina and Reef Cool Air Conditioning of Airlie Beach for their valued and continued support. The Merewether Surfboard Club has taken out the nudie Australian Boardriders Battle National Final in front of a huge home crowd at Newcastle Beach. A massive field of 70 clubs was whittled down to 24 for the final weekend, which saw Merewether eventually claim it’s first national title in fun 2-to-4 foot waves.
In the final team heat of the day, Merewether came up against former two-time champs Snapper Rocks Surfriders, an inform North Shelly Boardriders and event dark horse North Shore Boardriders. After falling just short of the win at last year’s event and losing two of their top surfers to injury this year, Merewether came into the event with relaxed expectations. The shift in attitude seemed to help them as Jesse Adam, Mike Clayton-Brown, Philippa Anderson, Mitchell Ross and Morgan Cibilic brought home their clubs first ABB title. “This is the best day ever,” Said Merewether Surfboard Club President Jesse Adam. “All of the team members are such legends I can’t believe how proud I am of them all. We had two of our guys pull out of the team with injuries so we had a different lineup to normal and came in with low expectations. After coming so close a few times and feeling the heartbreak of just missing the win, this has made it all worth it – and to do it at home is so sick.” Merewether’s Philippa Anderson was a standout all event, posting solid scores to help her team to the Final. Fresh off a win at the first QS1,000 of the year, Anderson hopes this experience will spur on her to more success in 2019. “This has been such a cool weekend,” Anderson said. “I had a lot of my friends here on the beach so the support was so awesome. Merewether has such a deep pool of talented surfers so replacing Ryan (Callinan) and Jackson (Baker) was never going to be an issue. I don’t think there is as much pressure at any other surfing event so winning is definitely a good learning curve for me. I hope this event comes back to Newcastle every year – it’s so fun.” 2019 Women’s Championship Tour Rookie Macy Callaghan made nudie Boardriders Battle Final history, representing her club North Shelly Boardriders as the team ‘Power Surfer,’ the first time this has been done by a female. Callaghan did her team proud putting on strong performances every time she hit the water and was thrilled with how her team had another ABB final finish. “When it was suggested that I surf as the Power Surfer I was a bit hesitant, but everyone in the club supported the decision and had faith it would work. There’s definitely a lot of pressure to perform when surfing for your club, but the guys from North Shelly all have me their support.” Other standouts during the nudie Australian Boardriders Battle National Final included Sophie McCulloch (North Shore) who won the Layne Beachley Medal for best female performance and Liam O’Brien (Burleigh) who won the Rabbit Bartholomew Medal for top male. National Final Results: 1st Merewether Surfboard Club (NSW) 36.00 points 2nd North Shelly Boardriders Club (NSW) 32.00 points 3rd North Shore Boardriders Club (QLD) 27.90 points 4th Snapper Rocks Surfriders Club (QLD) 25.10 points Award Recipients: Rabbit Bartholomew Medal – Liam O’Brien Layne Beachley Medal – Sophie McCulloch AirAsia Air of The Event Award – Connor O’Leary AirAsia AirShow Winner – Alistair Reginato Oakley Prizm Award – Carl Wright nudie Junior Spirit Award – Lennox Chell Woolworths Fresh Wave Award – Taj Stokes The nudie Australian Boardriders Battle is the country’s biggest grassroots boardriders event, involving more than 60 of Australia’s best boardriders clubs. Taking place across eight state qualifying rounds, 24 qualifying clubs will come together at the National Final in Newcastle in February to decide who’ll be crowned Australia’s best boardriding club. The series is officially sanctioned by the World Surf League (WSL), which allows Australian WSL World Tour surfers (Men & Women) the opportunity to represent their local boardriders club at respective State qualifying events and the National Final. The 2018/19 nudie Australian Boardriders Battle is proudly supported by nudie, Woolworths, Hyundai, AirAsia, Summer Bright Lager, Drink Wise, 2XP, LocalSearch, WSL, MySurf.Tv, Fox Sports, The City of Newcastle, The NSW Government Visit NSW and Surfing Australia. THE INDONESIAN SURF TRIP IS A FAVOURITE FOR MOST SURFERS, AND NOT WITHOUT GOOD REASON Words by Christian 'Wispy' Barker Photos by Stefan Jose and Charlie Cullen Last October McTavish Surfboards sent McTavish ambassador Christian 'Wispy' Barker and filmmaker Stefan Jose to Sumatra to catch a promising swell looming on the horizon. They hit the streets of Medan, ended up scoring at a not-to-be-named right and came back with this beautiful short film 'SEEK'. Stop what you're doing and dive right in. The tropical archipelago is pretty much a sure thing and this trip was no different, except for the fact I got to bring my mate along, who just happens to be one of Australia’s best cinematographers: Stefan Jose. Like many before us, we set out to make a surf film in Indo, but also to showcase the culture and natural beauty of the place, with Stefan behind the lens. We chose the palm tree-littered isles of Sumatra and the gritty streets of the northern capital, Medan. North Sumatra had been on my radar for a while. I’d researched the waves as much as possible, trawling YouTube clips, talking to friends, anything to help me choose the right quiver for the mission. Fortunately, I’ve been lucky enough to work with Ben McTavish—son of Bob McTavish, and an outstanding surfer and shaper—over the past few years. As soon as I mentioned my plans, I could see his brain ticking over, intuitively dissecting the boards he was going to shape for me. The chosen boards were a 4’11” ‘Vinnie Craig’ keel twin fin, a 5’3” ‘Slip’ twin + 1, and a 6’I” ‘Stewart St’ thruster step up. After working with Ben on these shapes for a year, I was itching to get them into Indonesian waters. Four flights and 50kg of excess luggage later, we made it to our final stop: a secluded island off the coast of Sumatra. It’d been a nail-biting experience getting there—if one piece of the baggage puzzle went missing it would have meant a fail for the whole trip. I’d watched a decent swell generate off the bottom tip of Africa and move through the Indian Ocean in the weeks prior, so to arrive and be met by the smallest surf the locals had seen in months was a bit of a letdown. But the swell eventually arrived as predicted, and a couple of memorable days at a not-to-be-named right will be etched in my memory for life. (Special thanks to Aura resort, whose crew made sure we were always in the right place at the right time). As for the filmmaker, his health and equipment were not coping well with the conditions. Stefan copped a bulging disk not long before the trip, leaving him at half pace in the ocean and on land. On top of that, he picked up a rogue flu that had been circulating through the camp, and equipment failure resulting from the intense heat and humidity almost derailed the mission, forcing Stef to check and fix gear on the fly while in extreme pain. Full respect to the man who still nailed the clips and stills again and again. This trip really opened my eyes as to what it takes to make a high-quality surf flick. Returning to Aus with three weeks till deadline, we got straight to work on the edit. A storyline unfolded as the film took on a darker tone. Words were needed to beef up the production, so I went home and put pen to paper to see what I could come up with. The result was a poem of sorts, describing the trip’s twists and turns, and we got our old friend Benny Owen to narrate, which worked an absolute treat. Stefan went above and beyond with filming, editing, producing, colour grading, and sound design on the whole project, and all with the bout of typhoid he picked up on the way through Bali. The result was SEEK. Months of hard work and incredible surf condensed down into 13-minutes, created in the hopes of inspiring you to get out there, see more, and scratch that itch that lurks deep within us all. Huge thanks to McTavish for making this all possible, Aura Resort for the awesome hospitality, our man Benny Owen, and everyone who supported us along the way and showed up for all the screenings. We hope you enjoy. Check Out McTavvish Surfboards @ 91 Centennial Crt, in Byron Bay, or their website: www.mctavish.com.au/# Watch the film below! After a hugely successful event in 2018 and many years before it, the Burleigh Pro will return in 2019 better than ever – renamed as the Gold Coast Open presented by Flight Centre. The event is a World Surf League (WSL) QS 1,500 rated event, and will run over 6 full days from the 7th to the 12th of May. Surfing Queensland CEO Adam Yates is excited about the name change. “Re-naming the Burleigh Pro allows for countless new possibilities,” said Yates. “The potential for the event to grow into something much larger and well-known is sure to become evident with the re-brand. With the increase in WSL Qualifying Series rating points from 1,000 to a 1,500, as well as the inclusion of the WSL Pro Junior event, skateboarding event and live music, there’s potential for the Gold Coast Open to become internationally renowned.” Previous winners of the Gold Coast Open presented by Flight Centre (formerly Burleigh Pro) include names like Taj Burrow, Julian Wilson, Dimity Stoyle, Owen Wright, Kobie Enright, Mitch Crews and Isabella Nichols. The event is known for attracting surfers from all corners of the globe including Indonesia, North America, France, Brazil and Japan. Previous event winner and 2018 World Surf League (WSL) number 2 ranked surfer in the world Julian Wilson (Coolum Beach, QLD) holds fond memories of the event. “Burleigh is one of the jewels of the East Coast and I think it’s really cool that there’s a QS there,” said Wilson. “That year when I did it and had success was a nice jolt to kick my year off in the right direction.” Queensland’s Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said the Gold Coast was world-renowned for its surf breaks and beach lifestyle. “Burleigh is a wonderful home for this event, and the name change will bring the global appeal of one of Australia’s most recognisable tourism destinations with it,” Ms Jones said. “Hosting the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games cemented our position as a world-class event host and I look forward to welcoming talented surfers from around the world to the 2019 Gold Coast Open.” This year will again host an open Men’s and Women’s division, as well as the introduction of the Pro Junior Men’s and Women’s event. As an added value, attendees can look forward to other attractions including live bands, skateboarding event and Mother’s Day sunrise yoga sessions. To stay up to date with any news regarding to the 2019 Gold Coast Open presented by Flight Centre, head to www.surfingqueensland.com.au. Hi Paddle Fans,
This year you will notice some considerable differences in the magazine. The name change for starters is a dead giveaway that we have branched out a little from Kayak Fishing for BLADE. Through our research over the last year and discussions with you, the readers, we have concluded that there was a place in the market for a dedicated paddle sports magazine. This is from where BLADE Paddle Culture Magazine has emerged. Through months of discussions and negotiations, we chose to leave the old BLADE Kayak Fishing Journal behind and open up the brand to a whole new level of culture, offering you now the ultimate guide to paddle culture in Australia, and across the world. Paddling is a massive part of kayak fishing of course, and most people who love kayak fishing, also love other paddle sports. So, now we will cover everything from kayak fishing to extreme kayak racing, Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Prone Paddle Racing, Surfski Racing, Foiling, Surfing and the adventure that surrounds it all. We hope you enjoy our new direction as much as we enjoyed putting this magazine together. Shane Downey, Editor. Get your FREE COPY by clicking the link below. You can also read it online for free HERE Local anglers and recfishing tourists will soon benefit from a new safe fishing experience off Esperance, with the State Government's latest artificial reef now fully installed.
The 150 tonne reef, made up of 128 concrete modules, has been deployed over an area twice the size of the Ports Football Oval in Esperance. Community volunteers helped construct the modules which are now positioned across more than 11,000 square metres of seabed. Located about five kilometres south-east of Bandy Creek in an area with good access for small craft, it will provide a convenient and safe location for fishers. The artificial reef will create a new ecosystem and marine food web for nearshore, demersal and pelagic finfish species. The project received $595,000 of funding from the State Government through the Recreational Fishing Initiatives Fund and Regional Grants Scheme. Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly said, "Like other artificial reef projects around WA, it won't be long before fishers are hooking into the benefits the new Esperance artificial reef are expected to provide. This will be another chance for Recfishwest's successful 'Reef Vision' citizen science program to monitor how various fish species are using the artificial reef. Through the program, the community will be armed with Baited Remote Underwater Video cameras, similar to what volunteers in the South-West, Mandurah and Exmouth are already using to keep an eye on their artificial reefs. This project, funded from recreational fishing licence money, will also provide a boost to recfishing tourism in the Esperance region - which will in turn support the local economy." Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan said, "This project has helped the Esperance economy, with all construction materials and labour procured locally, and we applaud the spirit of the local volunteers who rolled up their sleeves to pour the concrete to build the reef modules. The innovative design will attract fish within hours, and by 12 months will also be home to algae and sponges that will colonise the specially designed modules. Recfishwest and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development have supported the reef and it's been funded through fishing licence fees and WA's Regional Grants Scheme, with benefits that will not only help the local community but also Esperance tourism." New figures show that Rottnest Island continues to attract a record numbers of visitors to its shores with 769,000 people arriving via ferry, boat or aircraft in 2018.
The 15 per cent record increase in visitor numbers can be attributed to extra ferry services, successful marketing campaigns, celebrity visitors and quokka selfies. Visitation is expected to trend upwards with the completion of Discovery Rottnest Island at Pinky Beach in February. Discounted admission fees for day return travellers catching a ferry after midday through January and February will also provide a further boost to visitor numbers. This summer there has never been more activities for visitors with eight new recreational offerings available, ranging from water activities, boat cruising or grabbing a bite to eat at Wadjemup Lighthouse. WA Tourism Minister Paul Papalia said, "The McGowan Government's drive to diversify the recreational offerings and approve developments on Rottnest has led to the island's biggest boom period in both visitors and in new investments. This year will see the opening of Discovery Rottnest Island, which will provide an eco-friendly and unique accommodation option, while construction on the Hotel Rottnest will significantly increase accommodation options. The new resorts coupled with existing accommodation options and the expansion of attractions on the island ensure Rottnest's appeal will continue into the future."
The McGowan Government's personal shark deterrent program, which began in May 2017, has enabled Western Australians to access a $200 rebate on scientifically proven devices through registered retail outlets. At the start of the program, one device qualified for the subsidy - this was the FREEDOM7™. A second device, the FREEDOM+ Surf, was added to the program a year later (May 2018) after university testing showed it significantly reduced the risk of an encounter with a shark. Last month, the shark deterrent subsidies were extended by a further 500 with $100,000 committed as part of the McGowan Government's comprehensive shark mitigation strategy. In the lead up to Christmas, demand grew with 375 devices purchased over the festive period. Of the 3,000 devices claimed so far about 400 devices have been purchased by surfers, while divers have snapped up the rest of the subsidised devices. Personal deterrents for surfers and divers help Western Australians bring their sea sense to the beach and stay safe. The Sea Sense campaign, aims to inform ocean users how best they can use the strategies that are in place to help stay safe and enjoy the beach with confidence. SharkSmart's shark activity map has been improved as part of the campaign. This is the place for water users to get information about shark sightings, tagged shark detections, alerts and safety features at WA beaches. Water users are urged to help each other by reporting shark sightings to the Water Police on 9442 8600. This ensures that SharkSmart and the Surf Life Saving WA Twitter service can alert the community, and beach managers can close beaches if necessary. Comments attributed to Acting Fisheries Minister Roger Cook: "It is fantastic to see more than 3,000 Western Australian surfers and divers taking greater personal responsibility for their safety by purchasing a scientifically proven device. "These devices can be used anywhere, anytime to significantly improve a surfer or diver's personal safety. "This is why we encourage anyone who has not yet bought a device to consider purchasing one, with a little under 500 subsidies remaining in the program. "Personal shark deterrents are just one way that ocean users can use their sea sense to keep safe at the beach. Swimming between the flags and checking the SharkSmart.com.au website before heading to the beach are some other practical things we can all do to keep WA beaches safe. "This summer use your sea sense to have a great time at our beautiful beaches." Iconic Surfing Brand Renews Sponsorship of Australian Championship Tour Event Through 2021Coolangatta, QLD / AUS - The World Surf League (WSL) has announced a renewal of their partnership with Quiksilver as the Title Sponsor of the opening event of the men's WSL Championship Tour (CT), the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, for the next three years (2019, 2020, 2021).
For over 17 years, the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast has launched the WSL CT each season, welcoming the world's best surfers to the famed break of Snapper Rocks and acting as a barometer for the World Title. This announcement will ensure the continuation of one of the Championship Tour's most high-performance stops, as well as WSL's strong relationship with Quiksilver. "Quiksilver is a truly iconic brand in surfing and we are thrilled that they are extending their sponsorship of the Gold Coast contest for the next three years," said WSL CEO, Sophie Goldschmidt. "Their continued commitment and support of the historic event at Snapper Rocks allows us to deliver a fantastic start to the season. We are very excited about the future of this event and to further strengthen our long-standing partnership with Quiksilver." This announcement solidifies a commitment from Quiksilver to this event for a continuous 20 year period. Quiksilver Brand Manager Garry Wall said, "As part of our 50th year anniversary in 2019 and the continued resurgence of our brand, we are excited to extend our long-term commitment to the Gold Coast event. Quiksilver was founded by creating the boardshort category so to provide a platform for the best surfers in the world to perform in such a globally iconic wave fits perfectly for our brand. We are excited to have six surfers representing our brand on the 2019 tour, representing six different nationalities. Quiksilver is committed to developing the boardriding culture at all levels and partnering with the WSL at this elite level is key for the generations to come." The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast will run from April 3 - 13, 2019 and open the men's Championship Tour season. A Darwin fisho is celebrating a bit of late festive cheer after reeling in a tagged $10,000 Barra from the barrage at Shady Camp.
Travis Stevens caught the highly sought after Barra while fishing with a mate during his week off from work. “This is an awesome start to the year. It will definitely help cover any left over Christmas bills,” Travis said. “I’m a born and bred Territorian and have entered the comp every year since it started. “I couldn’t believe it when I saw the tag. It went from very calm to a bit frantic and nerve wracking when I realised it might have been the Million Dollar Fish. “I work on a remote NT mine with a heap of guys from Queensland who are always talking about wanting to catch a tagged fish. A heap of guys have actually come up to the Top End solely to go fishing to try and get the big one. I can’t wait to tell them! “I’m going to share the money with my mate and I’ll probably spend most of the rest fixing up the boat, beers and more fishing.” Department of Tourism and Culture Executive General Manager Marketing, Tony Quarmby, encouraged fishos to get out fishing for Season Four of the Million Dollar Fish. “After a dry start to the wet season, a small amount of rain has the fish biting again so get out there and try your luck,” Mr Quarmby said. “With three months remaining, five $1 million fish, 97 of the $10,000 fish and 19 of the purple-tagged $5,000 charity fish still out there, there’s never been a better time to get out and wet your lines.” BetEasy Strategic Partnership Manager, Brad Fanning, said there were more chances than ever to reel in a winner. “We have released tagged Barra right across the Top End, with the charity fish all in really accessible locations. We want you to catch them!” Mr Fanning said. “Congratulations to Mr Stevens for his catch. He’s had a great start to the New Year. With so many tagged fish still remaining, now is the perfect time to book yourself a trip to the Top End.” For information on Territory fishing regulations and best practice catch and release methods, download the free Northern Territory (NT) Fishing Mate app on your smart phone. Season Four of the Million Dollar Fish competition commenced on 1 October 2018. Those looking to come to the Territory and catch a Million Dollar Fish can register for free on www.milliondollarfish.com.au and book a holiday to the Territory today. |