JNR CHAMPION
GARETH POTGIETER
Gareth Potgieter is no doubt the envy of the Junior bass fishermen of South Africa. He is the current SA Junior Champion, which he achieved at the Nationals event at the Vaal River at the end of April 2014.
Bass Digest’s Paul “Madporra” Pereira caught up with Gareth and his Dad, Eugene Potgieter (a well-known bass angler in his own right, with a few Divisional accolades and 3 International call-ups) at their Pietermaritzburg home, a few days after achieving his title. It seems as though the sporting achievements runs in the family – Gareth’s older brother, Bradley Potgieter, is a Professional cyclist for Team MTN Qhubeka. Check him out on the Team MTN Qhubeka site.
Bass Digest : Hi guys, thanks for taking the time out to speak to us. Gareth, what an awesome accolade young man, congratulations. You must be so elated. No doubt your Dad must be the proudest father ever.
Gareth Potgieter : Thank you very much. Indeed, I am very happy. I worked hard for this and I’m grateful that I made it to the Nationals, but even more so that I finished as South Africa’s number 1 Junior. I would also like to personally thank both my mom, Helen and dad for all their support, encouragement and love over the years as this has definitely contributed to my overall success. This has allowed me to pursue this sport that I love so much.
Eugene Potgieter : We are absolutely thrilled and so proud, yes indeed!
Bass Digest : Gareth, tell us a bit about how you got into bass fishing?
Gareth Potgieter : Well, my Dad and his brother, Zander Potgieter, always used to fish together. They fished the ESA series and one year they came 2nd in the finals. I started to go with on the odd occasion, and I liked it. Uncle Zander used to encourage me to go fishing so I started getting interested, and then my Dad bought a little boat and we started competing in the BETT together.
We did really well that year, making it to the finals, and then we came 2nd in the Finals at Goedetrouw. We caught the biggest fish, 3.1kg, so that was quite something.
Bass Digest/June, 2014