Disabled anglers will have the opportunity to compete alongside some of the world’s greatest sea anglers in this year’s Sea Angling Classic taking place on 15-19 June 2022 in Portsmouth.
Wetwheels vessels have been designed to accommodate all disabled people, including wheelchair users, providing state-of-the-art facilities including electric fishing reels for sea anglers with limited hand function and fish-finding marine electronics.
Open to all, the Sea Angling Classic is a unique international fishing competition using the diverse Solent fishing grounds. The event is a catch, photograph, and release format, focusing on 5 species: Tope, Smooth hound, Rays, Bass and Black Bream. The event has 2 categories, one for Recreational Boat anglers and one for Charter Boats and will see a host of anglers competing for a prize table worth over £200,000 across the two categories (the most valuable prize table ever offered in a UK recreational boat sea fishing event). Prizes include the Lowrance® Ultimate Fishing System installed on the top prize boat of an Extreme 745 Game King boat and trailer with a Mercury V8 4.6lt Pro XS 250 engine.
Wetwheels founder, himself a passionate disabled angler, Geoff Holt MBE said; “We are absolutely delighted to be part of this amazing competition. We regularly run trips with disabled anglers, some of whom will give their non-disabled counterparts a run for their money. To be able to compete on a level playing field (or should that be a level sea?) alongside the world’s greatest anglers, will demonstrate to the world that when you remove barriers to access, disabled people can participate just as easily.
“Sea angling is so much more than catching fish. Out at sea on the boat, it is an opportunity to forget about your disability, be with like-minded friends, to be at one with nature and it is so important for our mental health and well-being. Of course, catching fish is a bonus and with some incredible prizes up for grabs, disabled sea anglers will be able to showcase their skills and hopefully wheel away with some great memories and maybe a trophy or two…?”
Ross Honey, Angling Spirit and Sea Angling Classic founder, added; “This will be an event like no other, we are not only going to see top-level fishing but also encourage newcomers to the sport and inspire the next generation of anglers. Working with Wetwheels as the event’s Inclusivity Partner means the Sea Angling Classic is truly open to all. Throughout the event the Wetwheels vessel will be taking people afloat, many for the first time, to experience the world of fishing and all the accompanying emotions, from the thrill of landing a fish to the peacefulness of being out on open water.”
Wetwheels Foundation
Wetwheels was founded by disabled yachtsman and adventurer, Geoff Holt MBE, in 2010 to provide barrier-free boating opportunities for disabled people to access the sea and coastal waters. Wetwheels is truly accessible to people with all disabilities, including wheelchair users, for them to have a shared experience with friends and family. All participants, including wheelchair users, have the opportunity to drive the boat and learn basic seamanship in a safe and fun way.
Wetwheels has six operators around the UK including Whitby in Yorkshire, Dover in Kent, Jersey in the Channel Islands, Falmouth in Cornwall and Portsmouth and Southampton in Hampshire. Collectively, Wetwheels operators provide the opportunity for more than 7000 people a year to get afloat and enjoy the health and well-being benefits that a trip on the water can provide
wetwheelsfoundation.org | enquiries@wetwheelsfoundation.org | 02392 819366
The Sea Angling Classic
The Sea Angling Classic is professionally run by Angling Spirit, owners and organisers of international angling events including the World Predator Classic, World Carp Classic, World Street Fishing and the Angling Super Cup.
Entry and further details
– Event website: https://www.seaanglingclassic.com/
– Recreational Boat Category registration: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/seaanglingclassic2022/597335
– Charter Boat Category registration: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/seaanglingclassic2022/602519
