Flyfishing for People with Disabilities

Fly-fishing is an activity enjoying increasing support from people with disabilities (PWDs), with 2007 marking the tenth year of their annual fly-fishing competition. Presented by Nedbank in association with Curamus and the Belfast Fly-fishing Association (BFSA), the competition has grown from only 10 participants to over 60, with the number unfortunately being restricted due to the size of the dam. The benefits of sporting activities such as fly-fishing will come under the spotlight at the upcoming Disability 2007 Conference and Expo, which takes place at Gallagher Estate from the 1st to the 3rd November.

This year's event in Belfast was undoubtedly one of the most successful events ever as all prior records were surpassed. Johan Crous of Pretoria won the heaviest bag category with a bag weighing in at an impressive 3.2kg. Martin Buys, also from Pretoria, smashed the previous record of 1.49kg by landing a trout weighing in at an astounding 1.8kg. Johan Crous and Boeta Roux shared the R10 000 prize money as each landed a tagged trout.

Curamus, partners in the event, are responsible for the wellbeing of disabled servicemen. These include former MK, APLA and SADF soldiers, policemen and prison officers.

"Sports such as fly-fishing are a unifying and essential part of any country and are a great way to bring people together" says Kim Krynauw, part of the organising team of this year's Disability 2007 Conference and Expo. Kim believes that all people deserve and need an opportunity to take part in all kinds of sport and physical activities.

This year's event includes an exciting array of activities, including:
- Wheelchair basketball tournament, which includes the Discovery Eagles Team and the Pumas in action. These two teams will be battling it out against each other on 1 November at 18h00 and Saturday 3 November at 12h00.
- Wheelchair tennis demonstrations and clinics.
- The SA Disabled Golf Association will be hosting clinics and competitions on 3 November.
- Wheelchair dancing.
- Motivational talks by Oscar Pistorius, our double amputee athlete who won two Paralympic medals in Athens.
- Natalie du Toit, our own swimming champion who won gold medals at the 2004 Paralympic Games

The Disability 2007 Conference is being sponsored this year by Airports Company South Africa, with Nedbank sponsoring the Exhibition. Cell C is participating as a gold sponsor.

The exhibition will include over 100 displays including entertainment and lifestyle choices: adapted vehicles; ADLS (assisted daily living equipment and service); communication aids; computers; easy reaches; emergency medical supplies; hand cycles; hearing aids; hospital furniture; mobility aids; occupational products; patient handling devices; physio equipment; products and aids for the deaf and blind; prosthetic artificial limbs; showering devices / building products; sports equipment; training institutions; walking sticks; wheelchairs; wheelchair clothing and, much more!

For more information on the event, contact the event organisers. Overall management of the expo and conference: Bette McNaughton of Fair Consultants SA. Tel: (021) 713 3360. Fax: (021) 713 3366. E-mail:
Website: www.fairconsultants.com

Expo Information: Kim Krynauw. Cell: 084-710-6496, E-mail:
Website: www.disabilityexpo.co.za

Media and Publicity: Catherine Larkin. Tel: 011 789-7327. Cell: 083 300 0331. E-mail:


READ MORE Disability 2007 (incorporating Nedbank Disability SA Expo 2007 and the ACSA Disability Conference) / Succeeding at Sport and Reaching for Dreams / Medical care vital to helping and improving the lives of People with Disabilities / Employing Deaf People / Strong Growth in Support for Disability 2007 / Disability / Flyfishing for People with Disabilities / Proper Facilities essential for success

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