The Sixteenth Two Oceans Marlin Tournament – Opening Function

Friday 11 February 2022

Today marked the start of the Sixteenth Two Oceans Marlin Tournament, a popular annual event that is held at Suidpunt Diepsee Hengelklub in Struisbaai, Western Cape.

You can click on this link to read about the history of TOMT.

This event would not be possible if it weren’t for the amazing sponsors whose banners also give the approach to the club a festive look.

Welcome to TOMT

This year there are thirty-four participating boats as tabled below:-

Boat	Skipper
Amazing Grace	JB Burger
Azura	Werner Flynn
Bad Company	Mike Broderick
Bayswater	Piet Wessels
Black Pearl	Harold Turner
Catch Cook	Searl Derman
Cattitude	Mike Riley
Charlie’s Cat	Charles Geldenhuys
Dory	Dudley Rosslee
Fortuna	Gareth Decker
Gee Spot	Koos Pretorious
Grace	G Rupert
Gwaza	Andrew van Zyl
Heat Seeker	Leander Wiit
Indigo	Gawie Bruwer
John Graeme	Chris Goatley
Jolly Roger	Jannie Annandale
La Fratelli	Andre Swart
Le Boss 2	Jaco Jacobs
Lega Sea	Julian White
Lyfie	Rudie Moolman
Marco Polo	Rikus de Beer
Marly-Quin	John Osmers
Mojo	Jacques van Niekerk
Multi	Roelof Visagie
Myway	Simon Lowe
O2Fish	Anton Steyn
Orca	Derek Kaplan
Piromero	Robin Vermaak
Reel Deal	JB Snyman
Seacat	Chris Steyn
Stompie 2	Riaan Swart
Vistrok	Gert Viljoen
Zeeman	De Wet Zeeman

Boats in this year’s TOMT

The competitors have been arriving steadily all week and some have already been out to try their luck. And yes – there are marlin out there so watch this space for an exciting competition!

Most of the boats registered at the opening function this evening, there was an introductory meeting to welcome everybody and to go over the procedures that will be followed during the next week. The skippers also met to choose weather officers and iron out a few issues with the rules.

Skippers’ Meeting

The fleet must be fed and as usual Marinda, Suidpunt’s manageress and her catering team produced an awesome meal.

Marinda and her awesome team

The bar girls were also extremely busy and patient with the thirsty competitors. Thank you, girls, for your smiles, charm, and hard work. Pictured below are just three of them. More to follow during the week.

Anke, Zeanne, and Delia

During the week I will post as many team photos as I can. Here are the ones I managed to get this evening.

Team Cattitude – Colin Barris, Michael Riley, Michel Zoonekynd, Ted Horn

Team Fortuna – Jack Meyer, Keith Tait, Jacques Britz, Gareth Decker, De Wet Robertson

Team Orca – Derek Kaplan, Marco Grandi, Charlie Watt, Roly Craik

Team Marco Polo – Fanie Erasmus, Anton de Beer, Rikus de Beer, Morne van Tonder, Abraham Pool

Team Stompie 2 –
Marco van Lingen, Stompie Swart, Dean Maloney, Reineier van der Merwe, Cassie Vorster, Robert Pace

The Marlin Tournament was started by a few legendary fishermen one of whom was Johan van der Walt. This evening he was honoured with a special presentation.

Gawie Brewer doing the presentation

The rules must be obeyed – and if they aren’t – there are forfeits to be paid!

Downing a punitive shot for some misdemeanour!

“I’m telling you – it wasn’t me – It was him!” But his pleas fell on deaf ears,

Tucking into Lamb Shawarmas

You can just guess what the conversation was about

It was a really good start to the week

The week promises to provide some great fishing out in our Struisbaai waters. Watch this space for daily updates. The competition begins on Sunday!