Lydenburger part of Protea team that wins the Ernest Hemingway in Cuba
Sam Botha was part of the winning Protea team in the 70th edition of the Ernest Hemingway International Billfish Tournament in Havana, Cuba.
The team came back with the gold medal. The other members were Mike Riley, Mark Beyl and Piet Nel. The men were already chosen for the team in February 2020, but the tournament was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
They were at last able to take part in the tournament from May 23 till 27. This tournament is the second oldest billfish tournament in the world, and it was the first time a South African Protea team were invited to this prestigious event. Botha said that this was the most extraordinary experience of his life. It was a true honour to be chosen for the Proteas. Many deep-sea anglers spend years dreaming about an opportunity like this.
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“The language barrier was the biggest obstacle to overcome. The crews speak mainly Spanish and broken English. The other teams were from Bulgaria, France entered two teams, Spain, Cuba entered three, America, Ireland, Mexico and Canada, Gibraltar, Mexico and Chili. We went to Cuba about a week in advance to also experience some of the local cultures. We were met on our boat, the Barbanera, by Captain Reniel, first mate Joel and a local legend Alberto in the traditional Cuban custom, with a cold neat Cuban rum,” said Botha.
“Cubans are very sociable. A local, only known as George, ended up being our righthand man in Cuba. He is the proud owner of a 1949 Chevrolet Deluxe. Our team were also invited to attend the 30th anniversary of the Hemingway Yacht Club on May 21 where we had the privilege to meet some of the tournament organisers, adjudicators, and Commodore Escrich,” said Botha. “It is a tag-and release-competition. The fish can weigh anything between 60 and 200kg. We spend about nine hours a day on the boat. We didn’t get a strike (catch) on day one which was very disappointing. But the Bulgarian team hooked and released a blue marlin, the Spanish team released a white marlin, and one of the Cuban teams a tuna. On the second day, despite a choppy service, we managed to release a nice blue marlin and the only billfish for the day. After a rest day on Thursday, Friday was day three and we went out without any hold up at customs. With calmer water, France reported a hook-up and release of a blue marlin. At 13:50, Mark Beyl on our team released another blue marlin. We were in the lead after day three and also on day four,” said Botha.
The 70th Ernest Hemingway International Billfish tournament ended with a prize giving and closing dinner at the Old Man and the Sea Hotel with South Africa as the champions. The tournament was first established by the American author, Ernest Hemingway in 1950. It is described as the highlight of Cuba’s fishing year. Hemingway won the first three editions of the tournament. Mina Hemingway, Hemingway’s granddaughter, won the tournament twice. In 1960 Fidel Castro, former Cuban president, won the tournament.
The team would like to thank Mpumalanga Deep Sea Angling Association (MDDA), Nelspruit District Angling Club and South African Deep Sea Angling Association (SADSAA) for their support and assistance.
