'Afishianados' Heed the Call of the Rock

'Afishianados' Heed the Call of the Rock

Auckland – 09 July 2013 - With a tropical sun setting on a number of high profile events, Niue is readying itself for the next round or adrenalin filled events that are gaining it an international reputation. Niue’s unique terrain and incredible natural assets both on and off the water are put to great use with an events calendar that includes fishing competitions, mountain biking and ‘Rockman’ triathlon events.

Receiving top billing are the island’s fishing events, which have ‘afishionados’
flying in from New Zealand to cast their luck into Niue’s deep blue ocean.

Niue recently hosted the Black Heart fishing competition, which saw Kiwi anglers ‘reel ‘em in’ with nearly 800kgs of fish being landed over the three days.

The competition was well attended by Kiwis, many of who joined All Black Legend, Frank Bunce on a hosted trip to the tournament that combined the best of on water action as well as taking in the island’s sights. The Kiwis came looking for Wahoo, Mahimahi and Tuna, and certainly did not leave disappointed.

Kiwi, Brett Henderson from Hamilton was the overall winner, pictured with two fish from his catch of 10. Brett took out the top prize of total weight with a return trip to the 2014 event, gear from sponsors, Black Heart and Niue Tourism. The tournament was Brett’s third on the island and he is already making plans for the Rheem & Plumbing World Wahoo International, being held in Niue in October. Also pictured is Kiwi angler, Brendon Paki from Fielding with his 32kg ‘Largest wahoo of the Tournament.’

For Black Heart Brand Manager Damon Youdale, it was his first visit to the island and one that he says will “hopefully not be his last.” Damon describes his first impressions of the island as being a “magical, untouched tropical paradise with the fishing, culture and locals all being amazing.” Damon represented naming right sponsor Black Heart as well as being part of the Frank Bunce escorted group. Damon describes the mood of the group as “excited and full of fun.” 2013 was the fourth year that Black Heart had sponsored the Niue fishing competition which Damon describes as a “great brand building exercise which in addition to being great fun, significantly increased sales during the promotional period.”

The Black Heart competition was followed by a women’s fishing competition, which showed that ‘size really does matter to the girls.’ The rivalry was hot between locals and Kiwi visitors but at the end of the day, local knowledge prevailed with the local ladies taking out the big prizes. Pauline Blumsky took out the total weight of the tournament landing a total of ten fish, eight of which were landed on day-two of the three-day competition on the Paul Pasisi skippered Niue Charters boat. Paul was also named top skipper of both tournaments. Largest Pelagic of the ladies tournament was landed by local FouFou Talagi with a whopping 24.2kg Wahoo.

The event was well attended by Kiwi ladies and ex pats on the island. One of the New Zealand contestants was from well known fishing gear retailer Top Catch. Brand marketing manager, Nicky Sinden who has this to say about her Niue experience. “I thought I had died and gone to fishing heaven when I got out on the water in Niue.” Nicky hosted a group of ‘fish chicks’ that ranged in age and location and included a 60 -year old woman from Nelson. It was the first time to Niue for all of them and Nicky singles out the people as being amongst the most warm and welcoming she has ever encountered. “Its true that you arrive a visitor and leave as a friend” says Nicky who is already planning her groups return in 2014. A well travelled fisherwoman, Nicky places Niue as her favourite international fishing destination putting accessibility and affordability at the top of her list.

Nicky’s personal fishing experience was “unbelievable” and when asked to single out her ‘top catch’, she said it was too tough to name one, but did concede to highlighting her trevally spear fishing catch as being great fun as well as her close second placing of biggest Wahoo in the competition as a great achievement. Nicky also spoke of the great camaraderie between all of the female contestants and the huge excitement amongst the ladies tournament goers when they learnt that by day 2 of the competition they had out-fished the previous, male dominated competition so the sporting spirit was extremely high. Nicky’s advice to first time or seasoned female anglers looking for an incredible fishing experience combined with a tropical holiday is to make it Niue. “You just gotta do it. Unbelievable” says Nicky.

The continued success of events like the Blackheart competition is seeing sponsors already renewing their commitment for 2014, a move that Niue Island Tourism’s development manager, Hayden Porter says is “testimony to the viability and unique offering that Niue presents to both sponsors and participants.”

ENDS

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