The very roots of EFSA started in the early 60's when groups of keen boat anglers from several European countries used to meet up regularly at various international locations. They decided to make it more formal with an annual competition and eventually joined up to form the organisation we know today as EFSA.

Nowadays the European Boat Championship is the big event of the year and with the two day Line Class Championship added, gives a week of top competitive angling for our members to enjoy while meeting old and new friends from the other member sections. The best thing is, it's all organised, including your accommodation, boats, bait, etc, you just have to turn up and fish. To win an EFSA European pin is one of the highlights of any members fishing experience.

There is also a European event organised by a different country each year. It used to be a cod championship but now the country can nominate any species they think will make a decent competition. For example Belgium may decide on a flatfish competition, while Wales might feature tope and Norway stick with cod.

For those who don't travel, for whatever reason, there are boat events laid on for the England section members.

In January we all meet up at Poole to fish for those weighty but elusive flounders in the harbour although some members have yet to catch one after many years of trying (Step forward Bob King, former European and Line Class Champion). But they still fish each year to watch how it's done.

In the summer we fish the English Boat Championships out of a different port each year. This is also a pin event, where the first three win one of the coveted EFSA England pins, not an easy thing when you see the quality of the anglers fishing.

Then to finish the year off we have the Cod festival in the winter that is often one of the best attended events.

If you are still looking for more boat fishing, every other year there is the EFSA Game Championships that could be anywhere in the world. In the near future, venues like Kenya and the Algarve are being looked at.