MORE than 8,500 anglers participated in the 2014 Pirtek Challenge catch-and-release fishing event held on Sunday 23 March. It was the largest Challenge that Pirtek has hosted since the competition began in 2009.
All registered anglers were on the hunt for 21 target species which were spread across the country for a chance to win a total of 126 prizes. This year’s Challenge offered a total of $155,000 in cash and prizes.
Registered participants had to measure their catches across the competition brag mat and send in photographs to be in the running to win in the different categories, including longest fish, the “mystery length” and special prizes for junior anglers.
Michael Guest, Event Director of the PIRTEK Fishing Challenge, said there were impressive catches in this year’s competition.
“Our staff and troop of volunteers were overwhelmed with the number of people who participated in this year’s competition, especially considering some states and territories had to battle some challenging weather conditions. We are thrilled that more and more people are getting behind the competition to have some fun with family and friends, plus helping to raise money for Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia,” said Guest.
“We want to send our sincere thanks to Pirtek and all our corporate partners for supporting such a successful event – Evinrude, Berkley, Lowrance, Stacer, BCF and Companion Leisure. Without a doubt, we will get started to make the competition bigger and better in 2015.”
Colin Bate, Sussex Inlet, ACT/NSW 1st Tailor.
Stephen Dutton, Pirtek Fluid Systems Chief Executive Officer, also got into the spirit of the challenge and joined anglers over the competition weekend.
“I was overwhelmed with the support the Challenge received this year. I spent the day with friends fishing and celebrating what is now a calendar event in the Australian fishing scene. It’s amazing to see so many anglers getting behind the challenge and doing their part to support Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia,” said Dutton.
Associate Professor Anthony Lowe, Chief Executive Officer of Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, said the Fishing Challenge has once again successfully managed to bring the organisation’s prostate cancer message to thousands of Australians.
Brett Bakker, Jabiru, NT 1st Barramundi.
“PCFA is very pleased that the 2014 PIRTEK Fishing Challenge was a huge success and attracted so many anglers of all ages. Prostate cancer may be a men’s disease but its disastrous effect is far reaching. We are truly grateful to the Pirtek team for their continued support and encouraging men, women and entire communities to talk about prostate cancer,” said Associate Professor Lowe.
The winners from the 2014 Pirtek Fishing Challenge were announced on Saturday 29 March. Visit www.pirtekfishingchallenge.com.au to view the full winner’s list.
Todd Lambert, Devon Hills, TAS 3rd Brown Trout.
All proceeds from the 2014 PIRTEK Fishing Challenge will go directly to Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia to further support research and awareness programs.
For further information about prostate cancer or PCFA, visit www.pcfa.org.au or free call 1800 22 00 99.
