Thursday evening 19 th June the EFSA Species Championships 2025 finally were kicked off.
This was the first time that we have hosted this event. Other than the EFSA Big Game in Sao
Vincente 2022 I have no experience in organizing a boat championship. Those who fish the
shore know that Frank and Clarinda van der Zande and I have pulled off some great things in
the past years. But this time I was nervous. So many things could go wrong. Wind being the
biggest problem. But the weather gods were favourable towards us for a change.
The opening took place in Deltapark Neeltje-Jans with 28 participants from 6 sections.
Clarinda van der Zande welcomed everybody for the first time in her position as Chairman of
EFSA Netherlands. While enjoying some Dutch snacks and a few drinks we drew the boats
with 6 bags laid out on the table. They held little canisters with a slip of paper on which you
could read the boat name, starboard side or portside and a series of 3 numbers. All team
captains came up to the table and drew one canister from 5 different bags. Each day we fish 3
matches of 100 minutes. After 100 minutes the anglers moved up 2 places. That way they fish
the front, middle and rear of the boat making it fair for all. And it was the best way to divide
the national teams of 5 over 3 boats. Starboard and Port side both fish their own match, so you
didn’t take fish points from a team member.
Rules and regulations were explained. During the explanation it became clear that each
nationality interprets the same rule differently. To our great amazement we were asked why it
was on points and not on percentage as always on the boats. They were addiment that it had to
be on percentage. I explained that the rules had been in everybody’s possession for over 7
months. This was not the time to question us. I had requested dispensation, at the SC meeting,
for the way the catch was going to be rewarded, and it was approved. Finally, everything was
understood and approved.
At 07:00 in the morning on June 20 th we gathered in the harbour for bait distribution and one
last check to see everybody was on their designated boat. 250 grams of frozen shrimp, 100
grams of harbour rag and 100 grams of cultivated ragworm.
At 07:30 everybody was on their boats, and we were waiting in front of the lock for our slot.
Once through my skipper Andreas Peeters, of the Zeearend 1 went straight through to old
shipping channel in front of the dike. The Zeearend 3 (Frank van der Zande steward) and the
Nautilus (Berend Ravenstein steward) anchored within sight range.
We started at 8:20. Ernest Ripson hauled his first shark within three minutes. Marcus Wuest
followed his lead one minute later. This looked very promising. The weather was perfect. Not
too much wind. The current could have been a bit stronger according to the anglers. But all in
all, happy faces on deck. End of the day on The Zeearend 1, anglers had landed 52 sharks.
Ernest Ripson won all 3 periods in Portside with 9 sharks. Starboard side was dominated by
Florus Robby, 2 first places and a second. 10 sharks. A shame Brian Devynck caught 5 sharks
and stole the first position in the last period from Florus, otherwise we would have had a
different overall winner on day one.
On the Zeearend 3 Starboard side was won by Ashley Currier 5 points and 8 sharks over 3
periods. On Port side it was Pim Troost who won with 5 points and 6 sharks. It was obviously
harder fishing on that boat as they only had 37 sharks during the first day.
Joël Luyts won the Starboard side of the Nautilus with 4 points and 8 sharks on the scorecard.
The Belgium team captain Robert Kanora won the Portside with 5 points and only 4 sharks on
the scorecard. So, you see even with one shark per period you could still end up on top of the
list. 47 sharks had been caught on the Nautilus on day one.
Frank, Clarinda and I went back to the campsite to do the results. Once posted we got a
message saying we’d made a mistake. I should say I was the one who made it. The only shark
Petter Skudal caught got marked on Christian Comi’s card. It took another 1 1/2 hours to
check photos and recalculate the results. Petter went from 6 points (a blank) to 4 points
landing him equal with Christian Comi, both had one shark. This also meant that we had to
recalculate the individuals, national team, blind drawn teams of 2, 3 and 4. Frank and Clarinda
were not very happy. But hey we are all humans after all, and this is our first go at something
like this. Overall position day1 Ernest Ripson 3 points, second place Florus Robby 4 points,
10 sharks and 3 rd Joël Luyts 4 points, 8 sharks.
Saturday morning at 07:00 back at the docks again. New day, new start and less wind. We
cannot believe our luck with this lovely warm weather. Even Marcus Wuest cracked a joke
about how un-Dutch EFSA like weather this was. He’s fished all our shore championships and
has had southwest gales, beach tankers, hailstorms, beach whales and frost. And now, there
was hardly any breeze and 25°C.
After the bait distribution and headcount, we started slightly later due to a longer wait to get
into the lock. There was a technical problem they would be working on throughout the day. It
was going to be touch and go to get back in at the end of the day.
Andreas took the Zeearend 1 strait back to the spot where we started the previous day. After
the 1 st period we moved up towards deeper water in the hope we would get more sharks. The
deeper the water the sooner the tide starts pulling.
After a bit of a slow start Gary Galbraith found himself steadily catching winning 2 nd period
with 5 sharks on Portside. Joël Luyts could only manage to catch 2 sharks. It was a bit of a hit
and miss at this spot. Pim Troost beat the starboard side at the end of the day with 5 points, 7
sharks. And Gary won the portside with 4 points, 11 sharks. In total only 48 sharks were
caught today.
The Zeearend 3 on Starboard side was won by Dirk D’Hondt 11 sharks and 3 period wins.
Matt Osbourne fished the Portside of the boat and smashed the 3 rd period with 9 sharks
bringing his day total to 15 sharks earning him 6 points overall. Shame the first period didn’t
go so well. A stunning 61 sharks were marked at the end of the day.
On Nautilus it started off with a first period win for Ernest Ripson. A great start to the day.
Phones were buzzing as Ernest also won the 2 nd period on the starboard side. Florus Robby
was still hoping to keep on his tail just one point behind after day1. Once Ernest also won the
3 rd period with 6 sharks bringing the total catch to 12 sharks. It was clear we had a new
Species Champion 2025. Brian Devijnck fished a very well-deserved 1 st place on the portside.
4 points and 12 sharks. Also, on the Nautilus 61 sharks had been marked on the cards.
We heard on the radio that the technical problems had been resolved, and the lock was back in
use at 14:15. Just in time as the competition ended at 14:25. Just a 15-minute run from our
anchor spot. There was a lot of calculating and relooking at yesterday’s points. Most anglers
figured out the top 3 before we were even back in the lock.
At 19:00 the venue Deltapark Neeltje Jans was open for the EFSA family. Clarinda opened
the evening at 19:30 with a buffet for all those present. There was a choice of several types of
cold and hot fish and meat. The food went down well and seemed to be very appreciated.
After the dessert we started with the prize presentation.
Those who know EFSA Netherlands know that we prefer not to present prizes. From
experience we know they all end up in the shed or on eBay. Not to mention it cannot always
fit in the luggage or transport on the way back. With all the sponsored teams nowadays, it is
virtually impossible to present a prize that doesn’t clash with another brand. We would like to
see anglers be proud to win the medals and pins. Unfortunately, people still want something to accompany the medal or pin. So, we decided to do something other than fishing equipment.
This time we chose 3 different types of mini whiskey packs for teams of 2, 3 and 4, Chivas
Regal:12, 13 and 18 years old.
World of Whisky: Kentucky Burbon, Canadian Maple leaf, Irish Old Flag and Scottish
McLintock.
The world’s favorite Whiskies: Ballantine’s, Jamerson, The Glenlivet reserve and a 12 yo
Chivas Regal.
Tasteful and will always fit in your luggage.
The national teams all took home a liquor from the Island of Tholen, a Zeeuwse liquor or a
special beer packet. Always a good idea to promote the local produce.
And the individuals received a bottle of wine with a personalized label showing the EFSA
logo and the text European Champion Species 2025, 2 nd and 3 rd place.
Frank van der Zande presented the prizes to all the winners together with Marcus Wuest.
Thanks went out to the staff of Deltapark Neeltje Jans, the skippers, all competitors who
trusted out ability to pull this off. My special thanks go to Frank and Clarinda for doing all the
results and other work behind the scenes. Without them it would not be possible to host an
event like this.
Marcus closed the event with presenting the pins to the top three. He also thanked us and
mentioned that the next species is in Sweden next year. Target will be flatfish.
All present gave us a heartfelt standing ovation which we really appreciated.
Tight lines to all and until the next time.
Miranda Koop, Secretary EFSA The Netherlands
Overall results:
Individual:
Gold Ernest Ripson Netherlands, Silver Brian Devijnck Belgium, Bronze Pim Troost
Netherlands
National teams:
Gold Robert Kanora, Joël Luyts, Dirk D’Hondt, Nico Opdebeeck en Florus Robby, Belgium
Silver Bob van Kolfschoten, Flip van Mal, Marcel van Kolfschoten, Pim Troost, Ernest
Ripson, Netherlands. Bronze Kim Bowden, Ashley Currier, Barrie Senior, Gary Galbraith,
Matt Osbourne, England
Ladies:
Gold Torunn Handeland Norway
Silver Amber Hermans
Team of 2:
Gold Pim Troost and Ernest Ripson
Silver Florus Robby and Brian Devijnck
Bronze Joël Luyts and Gary Galbraith
Team of 3:
Gold Marcus Wuest, Nico Opdebeeck , Matt Osbourne
Silver Adrian Cantana , Christian Comi, Florus Robby
Bronze Marcel van Kolfschoten, Ernest Ripson, Kim Bowden
Team of 4:
Gold Steinar Anderson, Joël Luyts, Dirk D’Hondt, Florus Robby
Silver Marcel van Kolfschoten, Lars Hellum, Robert Kanora, Brian Devijnck
Bronze Bob van Kolfschoten, Flip van Mal, Adrian Catana , Gary Galbraith
