On Saturday 04 May 2013 approximately 100 boats will take to the water from the Noordhoek Ski-Boat Club in Noordhoek, Port Elizabeth totaling a field of more than 500 anglers. They will all be hoping to get their hands on the prizes to the value of more than R120 0000, including the first prize for the biggest stockfish -a brand new Indigo E 400 boat and trailer and 30hp Yamaha motor sponsored by Indigo Boats valued at R80 000 .The event, now celebrating its 25th year, has become one of the club’s biggest annual events and a firm favourite with the public, with some 2000 spectators enjoying the festivities each year. Entrants come from all over the country and the event has firmly added an additional tourism offering to the city.
The Noordhoek Ski Boat Club was established in 1974 and has approximately 600 full-time members making it one of the largest social clubs in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan area. The members are involved in a variety of ocean sports ranging from : Fishing (deepsea and rock and surf), diving, spear fishing, kayaking, wind surfing, paddle-sking and snorkelling. Numerous members have represented the Eastern Cape in their sporting codes and some have attained South African national colours.
The Club has a fully maintained jetty and was granted a licence to operate a Boat Launching Site ( ORV). This licence is only granted to clubs such as Noordhoek Ski-Boat Club which conform to the strict rules and regulations which governs this type of licence. According to records the Club hav never had any serious accidents or injuries with regards to launching, making this the one of the safest Ski Boat Clubs in South Africa. Since January 2006 there have been over 8 000 accident free launches at the Club.
Apart from the members enjoying the ocean, the club has a strong social responsibility towards needy organisations. The main beneficiaries are the National Sea Rescue Institute, who recently received a donation of mobile water proof radios to the value of R 25 000. Other beneficiaries include the Oosterlig Children’s home in Uitenhage, Sea Cadets, Lake Farm near Seaview and Aurora Care Center in Port Elizabeth. Further to that, the Club also donates funds on a bi-weekly basis to Algoa Cares, a programme of Algoa FM that support various needy organisations.
Members of Noorhoek Ski- Boat Club have a strong passion for marine, and environment conservation and abide by all the relevant laws and regulations applicable to the ocean. The club members are actively involved with the authorities in curbing the serious problem of abalone poaching and the fishing of undersize fish.
Members of the public are invited to enter the 25th Annual Stockfish Derby. There is an entry fee of R250 and there will be a boat inspection at the club on Thursday 02 May 2013, when the entries will close. For further information on how to enter, please call Piet Botha on 0823203945.
