Waikanae youth enjoy taste of fishing

Luka Kunac enjoyed taking part in the Youth for Fishing event.

Waikanae Boating Club has just completed its sixth annual Youth for Fishing event which is designed to encourage young people with disabilities to learn about fishing and boating safety.

It's part of the club's community support programme and this year television fishing show personality Graeme Sinclair was there to present sponsored prizes for the 10 young people who took part.

Some of the film taken by Sinclair's crew, including young disabled catching snapper and kowhai, was used in the Gone Fishing programme.

One of the event organisers, immediate past Commodore Dick Stent said club members took young disabled to sea in their boats, with lifejackets very much part of the boating safety message.

The day started with a cooked breakfast for the young people, family supporters, boat crews, and Waikanae Coastguard and Paraparaumu Coastguard — whose rescue vessels provided close support during the event.

The fish caught was filleted by volunteer club members, bagged with some minced paua, and given to the contestants to take home.

Mr Stent paid tribute to the volunteer Waikanae Boating Club skippers and members who gave up their time to make the annual event such a success and to the sponsors who provided support.

"Without that sort or support it would not be possible to create such a wonderful event."
One mother posted a Facebook message saying: "Thank you so much for letting Lucas be a part of today's youth fishing trip.

"He had such a great time and can't stop talking about it.

"He says it was the best day of his life."