The SWKA kayak fishing festival, Oxwich Bay, Wales.

On the weekend of the 16/17/18 July the South Wales Kayak Anglers organised a kayak fishing festival to be based at in South Wales. It was a loverly spot to hold a fishing competition and although the weather was not perfect, it could have been a lot worse. Kayak anglers attended from all over the UK and there was a big turn out on the Saturday for the comp. One angler who came on Saturday was your very own Phil [ Northernboy ] he came over and introduced himself and although we did not have chance to talk for long it was great to meet him.



As per usual this report has been copied and pasted from a UK forum.


First thing to say is what a fantastic event this was. I know a lot of effort has been put into this by the SWKA members and no doubt their families too : The hard work paid off and it was great from start to finish. Roll on Oxwich 2011.
The event for me started on Thursday, it was exactly 250 miles from my house to the camp site and I arrived at around 3 pm after an uneventful drive from Kent.
I managed to get my bivvy up before the heavens opened and when they opened they stayed open. Boy did it rain, I saw more rain in an hour than I have seen in Kent for couple of months. Well there was nothing else to do but go on the lash In the evening we made our way down to the bar and had some food and more beer. We were joined by dogsandlandies and milesfromthesea and I am sure others but I was starting to lose the plot by then. After the bar we made our way back to the marquee and more beer. Simon produced his ipod and made a great DJ. Somebody shouted DANCE OFF! and I did the funky chicken
In the morning I felt like death warmed up :-[
By midday a few of us decided to get down to Oxwich and try out the venue. I anchored up and sat on my kayak feeling sorry for myself. In between bouts of 'I think I am going to be sick :-X' I managed some dogfish, mackerel and a pollock not bad considering .
The evening brought more socialising and catching up with friends old and new. I stayed off the ale [well not completely] in anticipation for Saturdays comp. We were all up bright and early and most of us were down on the sea front by 0800. It was quite a sight.





After getting bait and registering we gathered on the beach for a safety talk and then we were off. Game on !





First off I tried towing a lure along the right hand side of the bay in the hope of a Bass, this proved fruitless, so I then headed out to deeper water and try there. I anchored up in 40 ft or so of water and lowered a chunk of mackerel to the bottom. Almost straight away I had a dogfish. I was up and running.



The swell and tide were getting bigger and stronger and every time a swell went passed the kayak would be jerked backwards. This was pretty uncomfortable and the tide was so strong I could not keep my bait on the bottom. So I decided it was time to head in and try some calmer water. To be honest I was probably outside the area we were supposed to be fishing. : After pulling up my anchor I headed over to the kayak fishing a couple of hundred metres beside me. It was Ian [dizzyfish] I chatted for a bit and took some video.



We both said how uncomfortable it was out there and Ian said he was coming in too. I decided to tie on a lure, to tow back. Half way through this I looked up and saw Ian's yak upside down and adrift, with Ian's head just visible the other side, clinging on As quick as I could I paddled over, by the time I got there Ian was back on board. There was some stuff floating about so I picked up what I could, going for the expensive looking stuff like a compass and rod bag. Ian was doing the same and sorting himself out. It was then I noticed we were drifting into the race and fast ! I shouted "we've got to head in" so abandoning any other tackle still floating in the water it was a case of paddling for safety. The tide was fearsome and the wind was against it. Making it very difficult to paddle the Ultra with the wind coming over my shoulder and the yak cocking into the wind all the time. I think the Ultra is even worse than the Elite in this respect. Quick glances over my shoulder and all I could see were big standing walls of water with bloody great foaming crests on top. No sign of Ian ! F*** ! I decided it was time to get a safety boat out to our position. I called them on the radio "Safety boat Safety boat Todaymueller recieving over" Nothing ...of course you have to stop paddling to use a VHF. So another frantic paddle, to stop myself getting dragged into the race proper and I tried the radio again. This time somebody relayed the message I think, because a red safety boat did appear. I chanced a look behind me and there was Ian sitting on his kayak, right up on top of a white crested wave. It was quite a sight I can tell you. I asked the safety boat to watch us in .
Hell it was hard work paddling in against the tide. Eventually the waters calmed and Ian caught up, I suggested we pull up on a beach and have a sit down. There is nothing like terra firma after a scary episode on water ;D



So after a breather and a bite to eat we set off again. I tried round the wreck first hoping for a pollack. No joy there, but I did see someone land a Thornback Ray so I thought that will do me and anchored near by . No Thornies but I did manage a mackerel and a gurnard.




By then it was pretty much time to head back in. So after the long drag up the beach I presented myself to the stewards....3 fish one of which was probably caught outside the area allowed : But we made it back safe and sound and that was the main thing after the events of earlier.









The presentations were made and the deserved anglers got the prizes they fished hard for. Top marks for Dai for donating his first prize to the RNLI .
Back at the camp site It was a quick shower and then a beer and Simon's much anticipated paella. Wow was it tasty or what The pan was scrapped clean in no time, fantastic.
Next came the raffle this dragged on a bit but I did walk away with some paddle gloves and some red gills so I cant complain It was time for music and general chat along with meat from the barbecue.
Some danced ;D But I saw nobody do the 'Funky chicken' :





What brilliant weekend. Once again well done to all those that put in the work to make it all happen.

   

It's a small world afterall.  Looks like this sport is gaining poppularity there!  Thanks for another excellent report from far...far...away Mueller.

Hi Phil,

Looks like you've found a "few" yak fishing buddies there 

Sonny

nice to see a familiar mug  

Phil, we have not seen any current fishing reports from you....what's your excuse?  

was your very own Phil [ Northernboy ]

Sporting the SF Giants hoodie no less.  Awesome report.  That beach looks real shallow, wish Monastery were like that lol

Mueller, I like your logo! Nicely done! If you have any stickers, send 'em over

Hey Mueller

WOW that was one AWESOME report. Funny it looked so nice when you launched and then it got really snotty. Unfortunately I have been there and done that.  Kind of jealous you got to fish with Phil, really miss that dry UK humor.  Let's not let an oil spill get in the way of international relations or fishing.  Wish you guys could come out here to fish with us. 

Scott

That is what I have been waiting for, for the both of you to meet and fish together. Thanks once again TM for the cool report and pictures.

Good to see you Phil. I hope you are catching tons of fish on that side of the pond.

Jedmo

Hey fellas  . It was good to get out. I entered the comp but very soon realised that success would not be had without an anchor (which i think i gave to one of you guys!), so I filled up a stringer with mackerel and headed home to The Excuse. I'll make a weekend of it next year and take some pics and video of my own! Was great to meet John, it was thru him posting on here that I find out about "NCKA-UK" (Anglers Afloat).

Oxwich Bay is a great spot, a big sandy beach that's very sheltered. On the subject of international relations, apparently our combined forces practised the D-Day landings there.

Phil, we have not seen any current fishing reports from you....what's your excuse?  

The Excuse

Adorable Phil and Lisa. Congrats again to both of you on the new baby.

Jedmo

oh you adopted a cute pink bear! Congrats, thats a legit excuse!

Congrats Phil and Lisa

I entered the comp but very soon realised that success would not be had without an anchor (which i think i gave to one of you guys!), so I filled up a stringer with mackerel and headed home to The Excuse.

That would have been me.  Thx chap, and congrats on the lil one.  I'll skewer a gopher in your honor. 

Mueller, keep those UK reports coming, jolly good stuff.

Great report - thanks for giving us highlights from across the puddle.   

oh you adopted a cute pink bear! Congrats, thats a legit excuse!

Nice NB!!!  Great report and any of you Blokes get over this way, we'll set ya up and get ya on some fish and chips....

oh you adopted a cute pink bear! Congrats, thats a legit excuse!

Nice NB!!!  Great report and any of you Blokes get over this way, we'll set ya up and get ya on some fish and chips....

How 'bout Gophers and Chips?