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Fun day on the water for BWAC junior anglers

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Great memories: participants in the 2023 Blue Waters Anglers Club Junior Tournament aboard the Jolly Roger arrive back at Bond Bay, Hamilton Harbour on July 1 (Photograph by Patrick Burgess)

The Blue Waters Anglers Club’s recent Annual Junior Fishing Tournament proved a success with nearly 100 young people participating.

Bermuda’s oldest youth fishing tournament, with its origins stretching as far back as the early 1960s, it proceeded despite the threat of bad weather on July 1.

Rayan Hafar, 11, from Warwick, said that while the water was rough in the morning, conditions were much better by the afternoon.

“The waves were really big and it was hard to relax out there. I did have a good time, though.”

Rayan caught a 9.51lb yellowtail snapper while aboard Peanuts.

The winners of the 2023 Blue Waters Anglers Club Junior Tournament line up during the awards ceremony at the Bond Bay, Hamilton Harbour clubhouse on July 1 (Photograph by Patrick Burgess)

BWAC president Ray Bean said he was pleased with the turnout and grateful for the support of members, boat captains and crews and sponsors.

After the awards ceremony, participants were treated to hamburgers and hot dogs and were given a complementary knapsack filled with goodies.

Prize time: just some of the knapsacks filled with goodies from Sports R US and C-Mart for participants in the 2023 Blue Waters Anglers Club Junior Tournament on July 1 (Photograph by Troy Baisden)

Mr Bean said the club continues with the tournament because “often these kids, where they’re from and some of their circumstances, would never get to see Bermuda from North Rock or anywhere at sea like that.

“Some don’t get that opportunity to go out on a boat. We find that they can’t wait for the next year. Other clubs have tournaments, yes, but for some of these kids, this is unique for them.”

Andrew Marshall, captain of Bay Roots, taunted BWAC president Bean who is usually out with him on tournaments: “Take note of what I can do with the right crew! Seriously, we had a great day, we got lucky.”

Phoenix Bowens, from Saltus Grammar, said: “It’s always fun out fishing with Blue Waters”. Phoenix said he caught both a wahoo, a blackfin tuna and “a few mackerel”.

The prize-winners included Alario Faria, Philando Hill III and Naziah Smith, who got a special mention award for hauling in her 42.8lb amberjack, as did Jamir Heatherly, who landed an 18.5lb wahoo and Ismail Ali, who caught a 45lb wahoo.

The Blue Waters Anglers Club headquarters on East Broadway, Pembroke (Photograph by Troy Baisden)

New Roots helper Zakee Doers was given a rod and reel for winning the Character Award.

The sponsors of the BWAC Junior Tournament were Belco, Butterfield & Vallis, Barritt’s, C-Mart ad Sports R Us.

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Published July 13, 2023 at 5:02 pm (Updated July 14, 2023 at 7:18 am)

Fun day on the water for BWAC junior anglers

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