Popular Beacon Bay koi show another swimming success

The Spargs shopping mall parking lot in Beacon Bay was a kaleidoscope of pattern and colour this weekend with the annual koi show.

In this, the show’s 11th year, 278 koi fish of 15 different varieties and nine different size categories were on display.

“Each variety and size category is judged separately as there are nuances, patterns and specifications that make each one unique,” said head judge Mike Harvey.

“Across the board, we’ve seen some very good quality fish in East London this year, with beautiful colours, body shapes and size,” he said.

Despite the fierce competition, it was Wild Coast koi breeder Leon Krull’s 74cm red and white kohaku koi that took home the Supreme Grand Champion trophy at yesterday’s prizegiving.

The koi was imported from the Sakai Fish Farm breeders in Hiroshima, Japan.

“There were many close calls this year, but Leon’s kohaku just had an ideal body shape and a striking rich colour,” chairman of the Eastern Cape chapter of South African Koi Keepers, Nico Schultz said.

Krull managed to rack up another four top prizes, including the Reserve Grand Champion prize, as well as the Jumbo B Champion with his 91cm yellow ogon koi fish,

Anyone interested in joining the provincial Koi Keepers Society, can contact Schultz on 082-655-7143.