Local teens hook spot in KZN shore angling team

Fishing is not a hobby – it’s a way of life.

This is something Keenan Tocher and Miguel Nicholson have taken to heart. The two teenagers recently hooked their way into the KZN U16 shore angling team and are getting geared up for the national round in January.

“My dad got me into fishing as a youngster, by 13 I was fishing competitively,” said Keenan, who is a student at Destiny Life Academy.

Meanwhile, Miguel told the Courier he comes from a long line of fishermen – saying he was fishing in the swimming pool by the age of two.

“I enjoy the adrenaline rush you get when you hook a big one – there’s nothing quite like it,” he said.

In January the duo are hoping to head down to East London for the SA Shore Anglers Association junior national championships, where they will be trying to reel in a set of SA colours for themselves.

Both young men have salt in their veins and enjoy spending as much time as possible at the beach. They are both members of Umhlali Angling Club and have undergone first aid and lifesaving training to make sure they are always safe by the seaside.

Unfortunately, being part of the national round is easier said than done.

Once all the odds and ends are added up, including fuel, food, accommodation and everything else – the cost per child is somewhere in the vicinity of R60 000, so Miguel and Keenan are appealing to the Dolphin Coast for help getting them there.

If you would like to support these two young fishing maestros, contact Guy Nicholson at 082 460 4462 or guy@smagroup.co.za.

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