The Ocean Kayak Classic 2011, England.28-05-11

Over the weekend of the 28th May Ocean Kayak held the second OK Classic kayak fishing competition at Swanage, Dorset, England.

I was defending champion so was there to defend my title. There were over seventy competitors this year despite the forecast being poor. Next year I expect there will be over a hundred. Here is the report I posted up on the Anglers  afloat website in the UK.


It was a great weekend, weather wise it was not what we would have wished, for but you take what your given when it comes to weather and we made the best of it.
I arrived late morning on Friday and was welcomed by a large but friendly Welsh contingent.




After a few cups of tea and setting up camp I decided to head out and try for some mackerel or maybe bream. It was not too windy and I headed out to the outside limit of the competition fishing area. I tried baited hokies, feathers and a bottom bait. I did hook a fish on the bottom just before I paddled back, probably a dogfish, but it came off. The wind stared to get up and it turned into a bit of a slog. With the forecast for stronger winds the next day it I guessed the fishing area would be reduced in size.
There was much burnt meat, banter and beer in the evening.




The competition day arrived and it was overcast and windy, this did not appear to dampen anybodies spirits and we all made our way down to the registration and launch area.






I launched under sail and made my way out into the bay, within a hundred metres I was subject to the full force of the gusty wind that was blowing off shore. Soon I was flying along but with the wind gusty rather than steady breeze it was tricky sailing weather. A big gust nearly had me off So I decided to take down the sail, unfortunately the sail got snagged up on my video camera and while I was trying to sort it out, my paddle, which was laying across my lap, dug into the water and nearly had me in again . Holy cow I had only been on the water 5 minutes and I had nearly been in twice. It was going to be a challenging day.
I tied up to a buoy and got some baits in the water, I was happily fishing away when, with no warning, a yacht appeared from behind me within touching distance. It then proceeded to slide past me while I tried to fend myself off and untie myself from the buoy. A head appeared over the side of the yacht "Are you at anchor" "No I'm tied to that buoy" I looked behind me and saw his anchor chain rising out the water menacingly by my stern "Your dragging your anchor mate" I told him. I managed to let myself go from the the buoy and sort myself out. In the video you can see the yacht over my left shoulder.




I had managed a small pollack before I was forced to move, so at least I was off the mark. I decided to try drifting with the drogue but had no joy. After a paddle about and a look on the echo sounder, I took one of the lines off my sail to replace the one I had lost in the indecent with the yacht and tied off to another buoy.
The wind was getting even stronger and a couple of kayakers had to be fetched back by the safety boat as they were unable to make headway into the wind. I noticed that I kayak fishing further out had what appeared to be his paddle in the air......well so I thought ! I called it in to the safety boat and they were soon on there way to assist. Turned out it was his flag I could see and not someone waving a paddle at all. : I really must get my eyes tested.
With just an hour to go I was still on one Pollack but then I pulled in a little ballan wrasse. Yay I was still in with a chance of retaining the trophy....in my dreams ;D
That was all I managed, two fish. I paddled back into the wind, booked in and took in the atmosphere.



Then came the presentations. It was great to see the the anglers go up and get their well deserved prizes and medals. Mark came 3rd, he looked shocked and dazed : Ed came second and had a grin like a Cheshire cat ;D and the assembled throng were all pleased to see Mick take the top prize. Mick is a fine angler, good sport and all round nice bloke. Well done Mick.






Then it was back to the campsite for more beer/banter/burnt meat. Fantastic.
In the morning it was still breezy and overcast, so it was time to have a relaxed breakfast and pack everything away. It had been a great weekend in good company. The dodgy weather did not stop us enjoying ourselves, the rain for the most part stayed away.
A brilliant event is the OK Classic and I think everybody who attended will be sure to come back next year to compete again.

Hey TM, did you also win a brand new kayak from last year? Looks like a load of
fun you all had. Thanks once again for sharing.

Jedmo

Great report, thanks.

Excellent report!! Thanks for sharing.

Redmo, I did indeed win a kayak last year, an Ocean Kayak Ultra 4-7. A new Zealand model that I do not believe is for sale in the US. A bit of a beast to lug up the beach but great to fish from.

 Fun report. Thanks.

   Re: the sailboat. I've often found myself wishing I had a rear view mirror while fishing, especially when on the drift  with a chute. Something that folds  away easily so as not to obstruct fish catching and so forth.

Most excellent report,
Nice to see how the sport can infect us all with the same maddness.
Looking forward to more reports from the other side of the pond.

See Ya Soon,
Eric / Yakhopper