Century Batteries Beach and Boat Fishing Contest – February 21st and 22nd 2014 – Marsden Cove - Ruakaka

The Century Batteries Beach and Boat Fishing Contest is back in 2014, now even bigger and with more prizes. There are two Surtees/Honda boat packages up for grabs, a Kawasaki Jetski decked out with a fishing kit for the heaviest snapper, plus three entrants could drive off in a Ford Ranger XLT from Pacific Motors Group. Those who purchase tickets before 31st December have a chance to enter the Kiwi Sizzler Early Bird contest where there are two Kiwi Sizzler packages valued at $4,995 to be won. Tickets sales are for sale until the registration day 20th February 2014. Tickets are available online at www.beachandboat.co.nz or from FCO and Super Liquour Stores around New Zealand.

This will be the ninth Century Batteries Beach and Boat based at Marsden Cove. Nearly 2,500 keen fishermen and women descend on Ruakaka each year to fish, renew acquaintances and have a great time. The children’s section is even bigger this year with more fantastic prizes from The Warehouse.

Since its inception The Century Batteries Beach and Boat has brought over 14.7 million dollars into the Northland area in extra sales including over 7 million dollars just in fuel sales. The event has:

• Returned funds of over $35,000 to local schools

• Given over $80,000 to Coastguard; and

• Given away over 1.8 million dollars in prizes to both adults and children alike.

Lion Red, Coruba and Super Liquor have joined the event as new sponsors, with Century Batteries retaining the naming rights.

As the event has grown, the availability of accommodation close to the marina has become an issue. Organisers have secured a four hectare site within 100 metres of the marquees for temporary freedom camping. Organisers will enlist local community groups to assist with the operation of the site as a fundraising activity, adding to the existing funds generated already for the community. Toilets, showers, water and security will be provided to the site, enabling visitors from out of the region to set up close to the marina and events centre.

Over 60% of the participants come from outside the Northland Region, making the Century Batteries Beach and Boat the must-attend fishing event of the year. In fact, the Beach and Boat is the largest snapper fishing contest in the world and the largest fishing competition in Australasia. Entrants come from Invercargill, Christchurch and even Australia.

Part of the 2014 Century Batteries Beach and Boat Fishing Contest is the Furuno Snapper World Cup, one of recreational fishing’s most prestigious trophies. The trophy is currently held by this year’s winners of the Century Batteries Beach and Boat Contest.

The 2014 Century Batteries Beach and Boat will again see the $100,000 Tagged Snapper Challenge. Three days before the weekend of the event, Graeme Sinclair from Gone Fishing will “hopefully” catch, tag and release a snapper. If the tagged snapper is caught during the event, one lucky angler will catch $100,000 Cash from Lion Red and Century Batteries.

Also running in the evenings will be the Shimano Casting Competition. In the grand final of the casting competition– ten contestants will get a chance to cast for a new $60,000 Ford XLT Ranger from Pacific Motor Group.

Ex- Australian Rugby League Legend Andrew Ettingshausen has his own fishing show on Australian television, Escape with ET. Andrew will be attending the 2014 Beach and Boat courtesy of Century Batteries. This should see some trans-Tasman rivalry between Andrew and Graeme Sinclair – our own fishing legend.

The 2014 Century Batteries Beach and Boat will again be hosted by TV celebrity Pio Terei, a man with a huge passion for the outdoors and a brilliant MC. Pio brings his own style and humour to entertain and make the Century Batteries Beach and Boat a great event.

The Century Batteries Beach and Boat is a unique fishing contest for the serious and not-so-serious angler. It is a meeting place for families, mates and people from all walks of life that enjoy the ocean, fishing and just having a great time. If you haven’t attended a Beach and Boat, put it on your list and become one of the thousands that return year in and year out.

For more information see www.beachandboat.co.nz

ENDS

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