Sea Angling Classic 2025 - Small Inflatable Boat category
Sea Angling Classic 2025 - Small Inflatable Boat category
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Important Update – SIB Category Rescheduled
Due to Carlo’s recent hospital stay, the SIB category has been rescheduled to the new dates: Saturday 2nd August to Sunday 3rd August.
Apologies for any inconvenience caused but it’s not all bad news! We’ve sweetened the pot with even more prizes, including 30L Yeti cool boxes and tumblers for the winners of each species.
Inflatable Boat Fishing Ltd, the leading provider of small inflatable boats designed specifically for anglers is proud to announce its new partnership with the Sea Angling Classic (SAC) and FreeSpirit CIC. This exciting collaboration introduces a brand new Small Inflatable Boat (SIB) category to the prestigious Sea Angling Classic competition, set to take place at Anglers Edge, Marina, Fort Cumberland Road, Southsea, Portsmouth PO4 9RJ from 19th to 22nd June 2025.
Get ready for an exciting and accessible competition in the SIB category, where anglers will showcase the versatility and thrill of small inflatable boats in an official, competitive setting! As principal partners of the SAC and FreeSpirit, IBF Ltd will take charge of the entire SIB category — managing registrations, coordinating event logistics, and delivering incredible prize offerings
The SIB category will allow up to three anglers per boat, giving each participant the chance to win exciting prizes—including an upgrade to a Hydrus inflatable boat! Entry fees are set at £20 per person, with 25% of the total revenue from this category donated to FreeSpirit CIC, supporting their vital community initiatives
REGISTRATION & ELIGIBILITY
• Boat Size: The SIB category is open to small inflatable boats under 4.2 meters long. RIB's are not permitted to enter this category.
There is no minimum size, providing flexibility for various boat sizes.
• Age Limit: The competition is open to individual anglers aged 10 and above. Anglers aged 9-15 must be accompanied by an adult. Anglers aged 16 and above can participate independently but cannot serve as boat captains until they turn 18.
•Registration: All competitors will be required to sign the on-site registration form which includes a disclaimer to confirm acceptance and understanding of the full and final event rules, terms & conditions.
• Anglers per Boat: There is no minimum number of anglers per boat, but the maximum is 3 per SIB.
• Charter Skippers: Charter skippers who have operated a commercially coded angling charter boat within 25 miles of Portsmouth Spinnaker Tower in the five years leading up to the event are ineligible to compete in the SIB category.
BOAT RULES
The use of boats in all circumstances throughout the entire competition is entirely at the competitors’ own risk and responsibility. Angling Spirit, Inflatable Boat Fishing Ltd & Sea Angling Classic are not liable for any damage/accidents resulting from the use of boats by competitors.
BOAT SPECIFICATION
Propulsion allowed: electric, petrol or diesel.
SECTION G – COMPETITORS EVENT EQUIPMENT
- Competitors are liable for the loss or damage of the item provided to them as detailed in the Angling Spirit terms and conditions.
- For the good running of the event, organisers will supply each boat captain with an official measuring board, scorecards for both days, and GPS tracker.
- Competitors are to use their own IOS/Android device to operate the Sea Angling Classic leaderboard app.
FISH UNIQUE NUMBERS & GPS TRACKERS
- Captains will be informed daily of their Fish Unique Numbers to the email address provided on their onsite registration form. A unique number given to each species on the day that must be included in each photo submitted to the Leaderboard App
- GPS trackers will be used to track competitors exact location not only for safety reasons but to track location of fish being caught.
BOAT MOORING
- It is the competitor’s responsibility to moor boats securely in the designated area.
- Anything left including the SIB itself is done at the owner’s sole responsibility. Sea Angling Classic, Inflatable Boat Fishing Ltd or the marina cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to boat or possessions.
PROCEDURE IN CASE OF A PROBLEM WHILE AFLOAT
- Competitors are to raise the alarm immediately if a problem arises by contacting one of the marshals or the event HQ.
- In the event of a medical emergency, competitors MUST first contact the Coast Guard on VHF radio on their designated channel and then the event HQ or marshal boat.
- In any event where assistance may be required by any vessel, competing boats are to stand by in preparation to offer any assistance that may be required. In such an incident, competing skippers are to obey all instructions passed by the event staff and or authorities.
BOAT & EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
• All boats must be equipped with:
◦ A properly secured anchor with at least 30 meters of rope
◦ A handheld VHF radio
◦ Life jackets for each person on board (CE certified, EN396 – 150 Newton, with whistle and luminous stick or waterproof electric light)
• Insurance:
◦ All anglers must sign a waver form to say they have up-to-date SIB insurance and a vhf radio license.
• Life Jackets: Life jackets must be worn at all times while on the water.
EVENT DETAILS
• Location: The fishing arena and launch area will be at Anglers Edge, with full facilities available for competitors.
• Bait: Competitors are responsible for ensuring they have enough bait for the event. There will be approved bait shops in Portsmouth and Gosport.
IBF have teamed up with Fishon bait n tackle who have offered to open up early Friday morning if you wish to order some bait in advance. 10 Bourne Rd, Portsmouth PO6 4JS - Contact the shop on 023 9400 7684
• Rod Limit: Each angler is allowed two rods, with up to three anglers per SIB.
• Species to Catch: Bass, Wrasse, and Bream.
Important Notice: The marinas listed below are recognised as key bass breeding grounds. As such, targeting bass within these areas is strictly prohibited. Any bass caught and recorded inside these zones will lead to immediate disqualification from the competition for the angler involved.
While we carefully considered including smoothhound as a target species, we ultimately decided against it due to the challenges of capturing clear, accurate photos on measuring charts. This would make it too difficult to fairly determine the winners.
• Photo Submission: All catches must be photographed on an official IBF measuring chart, clearly showing the IBF logo and fish size in centimeters.
• Photo size clarity: Photos that don’t clearly show the fish size in centimeters will not be accepted.
COST OF ENTRY
• Entry Fee: £20 per person (NOT per SIB)
• 25% of entry fees will be donated to the FreeSpirit initiative
REFRESHMENTS THROUGHOUT THE DAY
Premier Marinas will provide adequate 24hr places for breakfast before the start of each day as well as somewhere to go at the end of the day.
OVERNIGHT SIB STORAGE
Nearby storage facilities will be available for anyone planning to fish throughout the weekend and wishing to keep their SIBs securely stored and inflated overnight.
PRIZES FOR THE BIGGEST BASS
◦ 1st place:
Yeti - 30L cool box
Epropulsion - TeamO/Epropulsion life jacket
Fishin Addict - A selection of lures
Inflatable Boat Fishing Ltd - IBF Apparel
◦ 2nd place:
Inflatable Boat Fishing Ltd - IBF Spinning Rod
Craftinsure - £50 voucher towards your next SIB insurance cover. Merchandise Caps and fleece
Bass Lures UK - Selection of lures
Sea Angling Classic - Tumbler
◦ 3rd place:
August Race - Clean and Protect Kit
DB Lures - A selection of 14 handmade lures
Lowrance - Dry bag
PRIZES FOR THE BIGGEST WRASSE
◦ 1st place:
Yeti - 30L cool box
Epropulsion - TeamO/Epropulsion life jacket
Fishin Addict - A selection of lures
Inflatable Boat Fishing Ltd - IBF Apparel
◦ 2nd place:
Yeti - 30L cool box
Inflatable Boat Fishing Ltd - IBF Spinning Rod
Craftinsure - £50 voucher towards your next SIB insurance cover. Merchandise Caps and fleece
Bass Lures UK - Selection of lures
Sea Angling Classic - Tumbler
◦ 3rd place:
August Race - Clean and Protect Kit
DB Lures - A selection of 14 handmade lures
Lowrance - Dry bag
PRIZES FOR THE BIGGEST BREAM
◦1st place:
Yeti - 30L cool box
Epropulsion - TeamO/Epropulsion life jacket
Fishin Addict - A selection of lures
Inflatable Boat Fishing Ltd - IBF Apparel
◦ 2nd place:
Inflatable Boat Fishing Ltd - IBF Spinning Rod
Craftinsure - £50 voucher towards your next SIB insurance cover. Merchandise Caps and fleece
Bass Lures UK - Selection of lures
Sea Angling Classic - Tumbler
◦ 3rd place:
August Race - Clean and Protect Kit
DB Lures - A selection of 14 handmade lures
Lowrance - Dry bag
🎁 BONUS PRIZE UP FOR GRABS FOR THE BIGGEST FISH OF ANY SPECIES ENTERED VIA THE APP!
SO WHATEVER YOU CAN LAND, MEASURE, AND SUBMIT, SMOOTHHOUND, TOPE, OR A SURPRISE MONSTER.
GET IT ON THE BOARD. EVERY CATCH COUNTS, AND ANYTHING COULD TAKE THE TOP SPOT!
Inflatable Boat Fishing Ltd - Hydrus 240
https://inflatableboatfishing.com/?s=apparel&e_search_props=f3d9b92-13
https://inflatableboatfishing.com/product/ibf-spinning-rod/
Yeti 30L Cool box - Sea Angling Classic Tumblers & Lowrance dry bags.
https://august-race.com/products/rib-kit?_pos=3&_sid=86ed077f1&_ss=r
https://www.teamomarine.com/collections/all/products/micro-170n-automatic-lifejacket
https://www.facebook.com/dblureskentuk
https://inflatableboatfishing.com/product/h5-camo-240-slatted-deck/
MISCELLANEOUS
• Bad Weather: If a minimum of 6 hours of fishing is completed over the 2 scheduled event days, the event will be considered successfully staged. If less than 6 hours are fished, the competition may be extended to Sunday.
• Anchor Loss: Boats losing their anchor must contact a marshal boat or Event HQ. A penalty may be incurred depending on the time spent retrieving the anchor.
Fishing Zones: The designated fishing zones will be in and around Hayling Island Portsea Island and Thorney Island. Details on the exact boundaries will be provided to participants before the event.
• Photo Submission:
• All photos must be kept on participants' phones, ready to show the biggest catch of each species to Carlo before the event concludes. IBF measuring charts will be provided on the day.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
• All anglers participating in the event must:
◦ Undertake a minimum of one cleanup operation locally to where they live before onsite event registration. Each participant is required to publish a public post with a minimum of 5 pictures on a social network and provide organizers with a link to be checked. A simple black bin liner full of local rubbish will be fine, it aligns with the spirit of our charities.
About Inflatable Boat Fishing (IBF)
IBF Ltd is the leading innovator of small inflatable boats, designed specifically for the angling community. Focused on quality, performance, and versatility, IBF Ltd offers anglers a wide range of inflatable boat options that meet the unique demands of the fishing world. With a commitment to supporting anglers in every step of their fishing journey, IBF Ltd is proud to partner with SAC and the FreeSpirit initiative to bring the SIB category to life.
About FreeSpirit CIC
FreeSpirit CIC is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting community initiatives, including environmental and sustainability projects. Their partnership with SAC and IBF Ltd will further their mission to make a positive impact on the angling community and beyond.
PAYMENT METHODS
Payments can be made via credit card or bank transfer. If paying by bank transfer, payment details will be provided on the next page below the card payment section, appearing as a link titled Bank Transfer.
Bank Transfer: Your place will be held for 7 days, but funds must clear within this period to secure your entry.
Transaction Fees: A fee now applies to all orders unless paying by direct transfer.