North Canterbury News: January 14, 2021

AMBERLEY BEACH SURFCASTING COMPETITION
16 North Canterbury News, January 14, 2021
Many fishers hooked on surfcasting contest
By ROBYN BRISTOW
Senior fishers will have plentyatstake in
theirendeavours to lurethe big one
during theAmberleyBeach Surfcasting
Competition on Sunday, January 24.
Thereisa$1000cash prize for the
winner of the seniordivision.
This will be the 28th year that Amberley
Lionshave hosted the competition, witha
greatarray of prizes on offer.
The competition is one of the largestof
its type in the South Island,with many
repeat entries each year.
Lionsmember Simon Mather says the
organising committee is lookingforward
to measuring the samenumber of fish
caught last January, whenarecord
number werelanded.
Ashiver of sharksoff the beach thatday
meantrig wereingood supply,atweights
that took out the top prizes.
Overall, therewere 165fishers who
linedupalongthe beach.
Over the years organisers have made
few changes to the competition, which has
thrived largely because of the sponsorship
from local businessesand the commitment
of previous longstanding convenorssuch
as GeoffShier and DaveMorris.
Mr Mather says sponsorshiphas been
modified thisyear to include categories
from platinum throughtobronze.
The three platinum/principal sponsors
are McAlpines Mitre 10 Mega, Calder
Electronics and Rivers to Ranges. The
gold sponsorsare Tall Poppy Real Estate
(North Canterbury) and CanRecruit.
Mr Mather says the social aspect of the
eventcontributes to its popularity. It is a
greatfamily day out, with the club
encouraging families and childrentonot
only attend, but enter.
‘‘Allfishermen like agood yarn and here
thereare alot of like­minded peoplein
On the line ... Blythe Morris, of Woodend, with afish on the line during last year’s Amberley Beach Surfcasting Competition.
one placetotalkto. It’s an opportunity to
maybe pick up afew tips, indulge in abit
of fishing banter, have alaugh and
hopefully catchafish and secure aprize.’’
The eventhas been shifted to later in
January to get away from the hurly burly of
Christmasand New Year,and to take
advantage of the besttides.This willallow
people to catch as many fish as possibleon
the incoming tide.
In recent years, fishers have set up
gazebos and enjoyed apicnic lunch.
Fishing startsat8am and runs to 3pm.
Entry is $25 an adultand $5 for fishers
aged 5to13. Ticketsare on sale at Arthur
Burke in Amberley,RiverstoRangesin
Rangiora, andthe Fishermans’Loft in
Christchurch.
PHOTO: FILE
Fishers can alsoregister on the day from
7am at the Amberley BeachDomain Hall.
Lions members generally have to turn
up much earlier than7am to beat fishers
keentoregister and secureaprime fishing
spot.
All moneyraised by the eventgoes back
intothe communitythrough the club’s
sponsorship programme.
2343669
We specialise inboth
Temporary &Permanent roles
with leading companies
Proud sponsors of the
Amberley Beach Surfcasting Competition
Level 1, 330 Colombo Street, Sydenham
0800 226 732 | www.canrecruit.co.nz
AMBERLEY BEACH
SURFCASTING COMPETITION
Sunday 24 th January 2021
Fishing from 8am –3pm
Senior First Prize -$1000 cash
Many great prizes to be won
Proudly run by the
Amberley Lions Club
Adults $25
Kids 5-12 $5
TICKETS ON SALE
Amberley –Arthur Burke Ltd |Rangiora –Rivers to Ranges
Christchurch –Fishermans’ Loft
Or register on the day from 7am at the Amberley Beach Domain Hall
2342027
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