Biggest Beach Angling Festival In The World Celebrates 24 Years

With less than a month until the record breaking Paul Roggeman European Open Beach Championship (EOBC), the world’s largest three-day beach angling festival, entries are reeling in.

The event, renamed in memory of its founder, celebrates its 24th birthday this year and will run from Friday, 24 to Sunday, 26 February, with an estimated 1,000 anglers returning to the East Yorkshire Coast, with its HQ at Sand Le Mere Holiday Village, hoping to reel in a share of £35,000 in prize funds.

Councillor Jane Evison, cabinet portfolio holder for economic investment and tourism at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said:

“The Paul Roggeman European Open Beach Championship is one of the East Riding’s most popular and successful events and, with competitors from across the continent competing, has really put this area on the map.

“Tourism plays a vital role in our local economy and events such as this have a pivotal part to play in attracting visitors all year round, who in turn spend in local communities safeguarding jobs and providing a timely boost for businesses.”

It was 24 years ago when Paul Roggeman started this new angling event and it is remarkable to see that a small two-day beach fishing competition has grown and developed into what it is today. This was made possible by Paul’s tireless hard work and dedication matched only by the enthusiasm and fantastic support of those competing.

As the legacy continues to grow for this remarkable event, tickets are in high demand. Competitors are keen to take part in the battle for the crown of European Open Beach Champion and to win the large haul of cash.

Anglers from over 12 countries are expected to flock to the East Riding to compete over the hugely-popular weekend, which continues to attract ever-increasing numbers of new faces despite the continued economic conditions.

Promotions and marketing across the UK and throughout Europe has resulted in an increase of overseas entrants from Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg and Poland as well hundreds of competitors from all corners of the UK.

The beach fishing extravaganza, which is organised by East Yorkshire Events and East Riding of Yorkshire Council, is an enormous economic boost for the whole coast. Local businesses will benefit from over an estimated half-a-million-pounds, which is spent within the East Yorkshire region during what is normally a very quiet time of the year for the region.

The weekend starts on Friday, 24 February with the eagerly-anticipated EOBC Flattie Bash, held this year at Hornsea beach. Registration for this event will be held at Hornsea Floral Hall, between 7.30 -9.30am. The entry fee is £10 per person and is open to both males and females as well as juniors. This fun measure and release event is the ideal warm up for the weekend’s main competition held on Saturday, 25 and Sunday, 26 February.

Tickets for the Angling can be purchased online at www.eyevents.co.uk up until Thursday, 16 February. After this date, tickets will be available to buy at the event. Please see website and booking forms for details.

Due to recent changes in the Common Fisheries Policy, anglers will only be able to practice catch and release fishing for Bass.

In light of these new regulations, competitors must be aware that there will be a complete ban on Bass at this year’s Paul Roggeman European Open Beach Championships. Therefore, Bass will NOT be accepted at weigh in.