Yzerfontein Yellowtail – Competition Rules
19 or 20 December 2026 (One-Day Event)
General Rules
1. The competition is open to all members of the public.
2. The competition is for recreational vessels only. No commercial boats may participate.
3. All competitors must have:
- A valid angling permit
- A valid seaworthy certificate for their vessel
- A skipper holding a valid Certificate of Competence
4. Entry Fees
- General Entry: R500 per angler
- Yzerfontein Boat Club Members: R350 per angler
- Juniors (12–16 years): R250 per angler
- Juniors are not eligible for the main prize
- The first 200 entries are guaranteed an event shirt.
5. Fishing Area
- Competitors may fish anywhere within a 15 nautical mile radius of Yzerfontein Harbour.
- Anyone fishing outside this area will be disqualified.
- Boats registered below Category C may only operate within their licensed limits.
6. Full team entries are required (skipper and full crew). Entries containing only the skipper's name will not be accepted.
7. A maximum of 7 anglers plus 1 skipper is permitted per boat (8 people total).
Prizes & Weigh-In
8. Prizes will be awarded in various advertised Snoek categories, with the main prize awarded for the heaviest Cape Snoek. The organisers will determine and communicate all prize categories.
9. A minimum of 3 anglers per boat is required to qualify for the Top Boat Category.
10.
- All fish entered for weigh-in will be returned to the angler.
- Fish in prize contention may be retained for verification by the Weighmaster.
- Only fish entered at the official weigh-in station are eligible for prizes.
- All weights must be verified at the weigh-in station.
11. Only one fish per angler may be entered, and only one prize may be awarded per entry.
12.
- Fish must be presented whole for weighing.
- Organisers will tag entered fish in the angler's presence.
- Organisers reserve the right to gut fish for verification, in the presence of the angler and a witness.
- The Weighmaster's decision is final.
- The angler/skipper must sign the weigh sheet.
13. Only fish caught during the Snoek Classic will be accepted.
14. Organisers, sponsors, and Boat Club committee members may participate, as no unfair advantage is gained through their affiliation with the event.
Event Dates & Procedures
15. Event Dates
- Primary event date: Saturday, 19 December 2026
- If conditions are unfishable, the event may be extended to Sunday, 20 December 2026.
Should both days be unsuitable:
- No refunds will be issued.
- Each registered angler will automatically be entered into a raffle.
- Anglers may win a selection of sponsored prizes excluding the Main Prize.
- Winners must be present to claim their prizes.
16. Launch Procedures
- No mass start will take place.
- Boats may launch from 05:00 daily and proceed directly to sea.
- If congestion occurs at the launch area, competitors should utilise a buddy system:
- Collect the previous boat's driver.
- Deliver them to their vessel.
- Repeat the process as required.
17. Weigh-In Times
- Opens: 11:00
- Closes: 15:00 sharp
- Scales will be removed at closing time.
Skipper Responsibilities & Administration
18. Skippers are responsible for ensuring that both their vessel and crew comply with all harbour regulations and Snoek Classic rules.
19. Skippers' Briefing
- Date: Friday, 18 December
- Time: 18:00
- Venue: Yzerfontein Boat Club, Beach Road, Yzerfontein
20. Goody Bag Collection
- Available from Thursday, 17 December
- Time: 16:00 – 19:00
- Venue: Yzerfontein Boat Club
21. Rules & Objections
- The organisers will interpret and enforce all rules.
- All decisions made by the organisers are final.
- No correspondence will be entered into regarding decisions.
- Any objections must be lodged within 1 hour of scales closing.
Prize Giving
22. Prize-Giving Ceremony
- Venue: Yzerfontein Sport and Recreational Club
- Time: 18:00
- Date: Final evening of the Classic (provisionally 19 December 2026)
- Prize recipients must be present to claim their prizes.
23. Meals & Unclaimed Prizes
- All unclaimed prizes will be forfeited.
- Meal vouchers will be issued with skippers' goody bags.
- Collection:
- Friday, 12 December: 16:00 – 19:00
- Saturday, 13 December: At the harbour scales between 11:00 – 15:00 (for those unable to collect earlier)
Important:
- No meal will be provided without a valid meal ticket.
- Meals will be served immediately after the prize-giving function.
- Additional meal tickets will be available for purchase after prize-giving.
Additional Information
24. The Snoek Classic entry fee does not include the municipal harbour tariff.
25. Registration & Indemnity
The skipper, on behalf of all crew members, must sign the official registration form, including:
- The indemnity agreement
- Acknowledgement that the main prize is subject to a 3-day waiting period should any objections be lodged before official handover
Communication at Sea
Emergency Communications
- NSRI on standby: Channel 16
- Call Sign: Station 34
Event Communications
- Radio Channel: 71
- Control Boat: Chaos
- Control may be handed over to Wildchild during the day as communicated by organisers.
WhatsApp Group
A WhatsApp group will be established to:
- Provide weather updates
- Communicate important event information
- Announce the official weather call (first call on Friday at 16:00)
All skippers are requested to:
- Keep their cellphones with them at all times.
- Notify organisers if they are not receiving WhatsApp communications.
Weather Committee
- Sean Beukman
- Kobus Beukes
- George Phipps
Queries
Contact Iain van der Spuy (Chairman)
Email: info@yzerboatclub.co.za
