The first winners of the inaugural stage of the UK-wide BoatLife Fishing Championship at Conwy have been announced. Well-known brands, including Suzuki and Mustang Survival, and local anglers entered teams over a hotly-contested weekend of catch-and-release fishing to win a host of coveted trophies and fantastic prizes.
The Angling Trust team won the first challenge of the competition on Saturday, bagging a first place medal for catching the highest number of different species. On Sunday, brands and local anglers ventured out into the fog for a specimen hunt, with Suzuki winning the first place medal for the branded teams and team Lazybones winning the Privateers Competition. The overall trophy winner of the Conwy stage was Small Boats Sea Fishing, who now leads the Championship ahead of the next UK stage at Cowes on 13th and 14th July.
Catching everyone by surprise, the prize for the longest fish caught overall went to 11-year-old Efan Hutchinson who beat all the pro teams and the Privateers when he reeled in a 107cm long Bullhuss!
Throughout the weekend, shore-based action offered fun experiences for everyone at the event, with a treasure hunt around Conwy Marina and colouring competition for younger visitors, and a fishing simulator for people of all ages to experience the thrill of the sport. In the evening, a party and prize-giving ceremony brought competitors and guests from the whole community, including the RNLI, for an evening of music and entertainment.
Suzuki Team Captain, Will Parkinson, said, “Just epic! I have fished loads of competitions but never has it been so much fun and felt like a family out fishing.”
The brand teams also took their championship boats on a visit to Ysgol Porth Y Felin Primary School in Conwy ahead of the competition. Youngsters got the chance to explore the pro boats in the playground and see advanced fishing equipment up close, as well as find out more about sustainable fishing practices and environmental conservation.
Richard Dove, CEO of BoatLife, said, “Congratulations to all our winners! This was a truly fantastic weekend for visitors and everyone in the Conwy community. It provided a great opportunity to involve people in the sport, make new friends, promote environmental sustainability and showcase all this area has to offer.”
