European Open Beach Championship rules

Please read the following rules carefully as they will be strictly adhered to for the competition.

The Flattie Bash is run in partnership with George Smith. For all enquiries please contact George on 07857 550125

This year’s event will take place on Hornsea and Fraisthorpe beaches and will be zoned.

Competition Rules

1. Fishing Times

Friday, 5 March 2027 10am - 2pm. High tide at Bridlington at 3.09pm (5.1m).

2. Registration and Entry

Registration will start at 7 - 9.15am. Tickets and registration will be available from: Hornsea Floral Hall, Esplande, Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire HU18 1NQ Any changes to the above registration process will be notified via the EOBC website and social media.

3. Entry Fee:

£10 per person (cash only). The competition includes male, female and junior categories. Competitors will be asked for a voluntary donation (£1 per person) which will directly go towards supporting junior development.

4. Parking

Hornsea Floral Hall car park has a maximum stay and return of three hours and is monitored by CCTV (Note: Fines will be issued for stays above three hours). Nearby car parks include Morrow Avenue (free for maximum of two hours) and Eastgate.

5. Competition Boundaries

• The competition boundaries will be marked on Hornsea and Fraisthorpe beaches with flags at each end.
• Competitors must stay within the boundaries when fishing.
• Due to limited space within the boundaries, we ask that there is no more than six meters between each angler, this will be stewarded.
• Anglers will be notified of their zone at registration.
• Family and friends can fish together in the same zone.
• There are three zones in total, two zones at Hornsea and one zone at Fraisthorpe YO15 3QU (please note that this zone is an approximately 25 minute drive away from the registration point).

6. The decision of the organiser (VEY Events and George Smith) is final.

Neither East Riding of Yorkshire Council nor the organisers shall be held responsible for any loss, accident or damage incurred by any person in connection with the competition. Each entry to the EOBC Flattie Bash is binding in honour only.

7. Please be aware this event can be busy and therefore, some anglers may have a distance to walk. Allow good time to register and set up.

8. Please note, entry to the flattie bash event may be limited to the first 300 competitors dependant on weather conditions.

General Rules

1. This is a catch and release stewarded shore fishing competition for flat fish only.
2. Each competitor is only permitted to fish with one rod, with one reel and running line with a maximum of three hooks.
3. Each competitor should have a bucket of fresh sea water. When a flat fish is caught the fish is to be placed into the bucket and taken to nearest angler (non-family or friend) to measure and then be released.
4. It is the responsibility of both the angler and the steward to ensure that the fish swims away.
5. Fish should be recorded and returned before the next cast is retrieved.
6. Fish are measured from the tip of the nose to the maximum tip of the tail. The length recorded will be rounded down to the nearest full centimetre.
7. No angling equipment must be left on the beach unattended. Any unattended equipment may be removed by the event stewards.
8. No angling equipment can be set up before each competitor has an entry ticket in their possession.

Points Scoring System:

Competitors will be given one point per full centimetre of flat fish recorded. The result will be determined by the competitor with the highest number of points. Where there is a tie on points then the competitor with the most number of fish will be the winner. If there is also a tie on the number of fish then the winner will be the person with the largest single fish. There will be one overall winner of the Flattie Bash as well as prizes for the top three in each zone. There will also be a prize for the first placed women, top 3 juniors and single largest flatfish. Note: All juniors will also receive a goody bag.

1. FISHING TIMES

Saturday, 6 March 2027: 9am - 3pm (Bridlington High Tide: 3.44pm - 5.4m)

Sunday, 7 March 2027: 9am - 3pm (Bridlington High Tide: 4.14pm - 5.6m)

2. WEIGH-IN TIMES

 (PLEASE NOTE: NO FISH WILL BE WEIGHED IN BEFORE OR AFTER THESE TIMES BELOW).

Saturday, 6 March 2027: strictly between 3pm and 4pm

Sunday, 7 March 2027: strictly between 3pm and 4pm

(THE WEIGH-IN STRICTLY ENDS AT 4PM).

3. WEIGH-IN VENUE

Sand le Mere Holiday Park, Southfield Lane, Tunstall, East Riding of Yorkshire HU12 0JF

4. BOUNDARIES

North End of North Marine Promenade, Bridlington to Pilot Jetty at Spurn Point.

5. ENTRY FEES

a) Before the event:

SENIORS £20 per person (one day) / £30 per person (both days)

JUNIORS £20 per person (one day) / £30 per person (both days)

Obtainable from:

1) Online booking: eobc.co.uk (available until Friday, 26 February 2027)

2) If you are unable to complete your application online, please contact us via email info@ veyevents.co.uk or call (01482) 391669, and one of our team will be in touch to support.

b) At the event HQ (Sand le Mere Ticket Office):

SENIORS £30 per person (one day) / £40 per person (both days)

JUNIORS £30 per person (one day) / £40 per person (both days)

Obtainable from:

Sand le Mere Holiday Park, Southfield Lane, Tunstall HU12 0JF

Thursday, 4 March 2027, 4 - 8pm

Friday, 5 March 2027, 3 - 8pm

Saturday, 6 March 2027, 7 - 9am

Sunday, 7 March 2027, 7 - 9am

6. JUNIORS:

• At this year’s European Open Beach Championships, the Junior ticket price has been adjusted to reflect the enhanced competition format. As well as continuing to receive individual daily prizes, Junior competitors will now also have the opportunity to compete for, and win, the overall championship title across the event. This additional competitive element increases both the value and prestige of the Junior category, offering participants a more rewarding and exciting experience throughout the championships.
• Juniors must be less than 16 years of age on the competition dates.
• Proof of age may be required on the day.
• All fishing juniors, even when fishing in senior event, must be accompanied by a fishing adult with their own entry ticket.

7. TICKET TYPES

Red: Saturday ONLY

Blue: Sunday ONLY

Green: Both days (overall)

Note: Red and Blue tickets are only for competitors who wish to fish on a single day and do not qualify for the overall aggregate event. To qualify for the overall event, a two-day Green ticket must be purchased.  

8. PAIRS EVENT (SATURDAY ONLY)

Tickets (optional): £20 extra per team and both competitors must have purchased a green or red ticket.

Combined total weight of fish caught by the team on the day.

Competitors can only enter / be part of one pair

9. TEAM OF FOUR EVENT (SUNDAY ONLY)

Tickets (optional): £20 extra per team and all competitors must have purchased a green or blue ticket.

Combined total weight of fish caught by the team on the day.

Competitors can only enter / be part of one team.

10. WEIGH-IN

All fish will be weighed in kilograms and grams and the results will be posted in grams.

11. PRIZES - SENIOR EVENT

Males, females and juniors

Daily Prizes: Heaviest fish caught on each day (1st - 20th place)

Overall (Green): Each heaviest fish caught on Saturday added to each heaviest fish caught on Sunday. (1st - 25th place)

12. PRIZES - FEMALES AND JUNIORS

Females (entered in the Senior event)

Overall only: (Green) Each heaviest fish caught on Saturday added to each heaviest fish caught on Sunday. (1st - 3rd place)

Juniors Daily Prize: Each heaviest single fish caught on each day. (1st - 3rd place)

Overall: (Green) Each heaviest single fish caught on Saturday added to each heaviest fish caught on Sunday. (1st - 5th place)

13. PRIZES - PAIRS AND TEAM OF FOUR

Highest combined weight of fish caught by the team on the day. (1st - 3rd place)

14. PRIZES - HEAVIEST FLATFISH

Daily prize: Heaviest flatfish caught on each day. (1st place only)

Overall: (Green) Aggregate of heaviest flatfish caught on Saturday and Sunday. (1st place only)

15. PRIZES - OVERSEAS NON-UK COMPETITOR

Overall: (Green) Highest placed overseas non-UK competitors. (1st - 3rd place)

16. ALL INDIVIDUAL PRIZE WINNERS must be present IN PERSON at Saturday’s and/or Sunday’s prize-giving at Sand le Mere Holiday Park in order to receive their prize. Anyone not present will forfeit their prize. No other person will be able to collect any prize on behalf of another person. Please note, payment of prize money for winners may take up to four weeks.

17. FREE GOLDEN TICKET DRAW

All green two-day ticket holders will be entered in the Golden Ticket Draw, which will be held after the presentation at Sand-le-Mere Holiday Park on Sunday, 7 March 2027. The winner must be present in person at the Sunday results presentation to receive their prize. If not present, the winner will forfeit their prize and a further draw will be held.

EVENT ORGANISATION

1. As organisers of the EOBC, we are committed to ensuring the integrity of the event is held in high regard. Any individuals who have been banned from local, regional, national or international fishing clubs for cheating may not be eligible to attend the event. All such individuals must be formally identified and brought to the attention of the event team in advance. If you have any specific issues or concerns regarding this statement, please email info@veyevents.co.uk

2. Any competitor breaching any of the championship rules will be disqualified from the whole event and immediately excluded from the competition areas.

3. In all matters relating to the championship, the decision of the organisers (East Riding of Yorkshire Council) is final. The organisers reserve the right to take legal action against any competitor in breach of the rules and may ask the Police to investigate if they consider that a fraud has been or is being perpetrated.

4. The organiser accepts no liability in respect of any loss or damage to any equipment, person, vehicle, or thing brought into the competition and no warranty or guarantee is given as to the condition of the areas set aside for the competition and to their suitability for the proposed competition.

5. In all matters relating to the championship the decision of the organisers is final and the organisers may delegate their power to the Appeals Committee.

6. Any objection or official complaint must be submitted to the Appeals Committee within half an hour of the results being posted. A fee of £10 must accompany the objection and is returnable only when the objection is upheld.

7. VEY events have a zero-tolerance policy to any form of abuse or assault during the competition to any competitor or event staff. This may result in disqualification from this event and participation in future events.

8.Cancellation: In the interest of public safety and the event of bad weather, the organisers* reserve the right to cancel the championship. In such case, entry fees, less any legitimate championship expenses will be returned.

* The organisers means Visit East Yorkshire Events (VEY Events), which is the events team at East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

TICKETS

1. There will be no admittance to the competition without a ticket. By purchasing a ticket each competitor agrees that they understand and will comply with the rules throughout the competition. Any breach of the rules will result in the competitor being disqualified and asked to leave the competition area by the organisers.

2. All competitors must pay for tickets before commencing fishing and must produce them if requested by the stewards.

3. Refunds will not be issued unless the organisers are provided with a reason for non-attendance which must sit outside of the control of the individual. The decision to issue a refund will solely be at the organisers discretion. If however, a refund is granted, a £5 admin charge will be implemented for each ticket purchased.

JUNIORS

1. Juniors may share a rod rest with their accompanying adult.

2. Juniors MUST cast their own line.

LEGITIMACY OF CATCH

1. Competitors are responsible for being able to prove the legitimacy of their catch. All competitors must have their catch witnessed and signed for by another competitor on the back of their official competition ticket. The witness must write their own Ticket Number next to their signature for verification. You can have more than one witness signature per catch. You should ensure any witness is not part of your group booking or a family member / friend. All competitors are required to act as stewards.

FISHING / COMPETITION BOUNDARIES

1. Bottom and artificial fishing allowed.

2. Fish sizes: no person shall land, sell, expose or offer for sale or have in his / her possession any fish of the following description of less than the following measurements:

• Plaice, Dab, Sole, Flounder, Pollack - 30cm

• Whiting, Turbot - 35cm • Cod, Coalfish, Haddock - 40cm

• Ray, Skate (across the wings) - 42cm (both classed as round fish)  

• Pouting - 25cm

• Mullet - 33cm

• Bass* - 45cm

*The qualification of Bass as an allowable species for this competition is dependent on regulations in place at the time of the European Open Beach Championship, according to DEFRA.

3. There is no limit on the number of fish you can bring to the weigh in, as long as they meet the minimum sizes above.

4. The weigh-in team have the authority to verify each catch before weigh-in to check they meet the requirements of the competition rules. Any breach of these (including fish sizes and legitimacy of catch) will be brought to the attention of the Appeals Committee at the weigh-in and their decision will be final.

5. Note: All types of Dogfish, Eels, Tope, Blennies, Dragonets, Mackerel, Rockling, Scorpion Fish, Rays Bream and Weaver Fish or any Shellfish will NOT be weighed in.

6. All competitors must weigh in their own catch and not later than the times mentioned in the competition rules. Competitors must allow themselves plenty of time to travel back to the weigh in and to get parked. No allowances of any kind will be made for any competitor arriving back late.

7. No competitor may have fitted at the same time more than one rod with reel and also a running line with no more than three hooks attached. One treble counts as three single hooks.

8. Any competitor, other than registered disabled competitors (such registration evidence to be presented to the organisers prior to the competition commencing), must cast their own rod. No mechanical casting aids of any description are allowed to be used in the competition.

9. No competitor is allowed to fish within the competition boundaries in the 24 hours prior to the start of the competition apart from when participating in the EOBC Flattie Bash match in the designated area on Friday, 5 March 2027.

10. No fishing is allowed from piers or man-made constructions in the sea i.e. drains etc. Fishing is only allowed from promenades (e.g. Hornsea and Withernsea) with extreme high tides. VEY Events do not recommend fishing from cliff tops in undefined areas, even at high tides due to the risk from cliff falls and coastal erosion.

11. Competitors may receive the help of any person to assist them in landing any fish but the assistant must not handle the rod at any time whilst helping. The use of gaffs to land fish is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate disqualification and expulsion from the competition and the competition area.

12. The minimum distance between two anglers fishing on the beach must be 10 metres or 12 yards unless specifically notified otherwise by the stewards during the competition. Any angler not adhering to this safety rule will be disqualified.

13. No competitor is allowed to leave equipment on the beach (including rod rests and rods) or reserve space on the beach with unattended tackle. Unattended tackle may be removed by stewards.

14. There is an official and legally enforceable ‘No Take Zone’ in place heading North from Sewerby steps. Please respect this and do not take anything from the beach or sea.

15. The winner of the overall EOBC is obliged to have photos and conduct an interview with Sea Angling Adventures.