Johan Botha became a member of Pretoria deep-sea ski-boat club in the mid seventies and acquired his skippers certificate of competency in May 1981.

During this period Johan also served as vice chairman of PDSC (Pretoria Deep-Sea Ski-Boat Club) for a few years and also represented PDSC on the Northern-Transvaal Ski-boat association Committee. Johan was awarded SASBA (South African Ski-Boat and Light Tackle Game Fishing Association previously known as the Natal Ski-Boat Association) skippers colours in the mid eighties during an international billfish competition at Sodwana Bay. Johan was chosen to represent Northern-Transvaal province at inter provincial fishing competitions at various venues.

As skipper Johan has the following experience:

Johan has been launching ski boats since 1981 from Sodwana Bay, Cape Vidal, St. Lucia, Shelly Beach, Glenmore, Christmas Rock and Richards Bay. A harbour course had to be completed and an exam written through the Richards Bay ski-boat club to exit through the harbour.

For the past eleven and a half years Johan has been launching through the Kowie River mouth at Port Alfred. He also has experience on inland waters such as Bon Accord Dam, Bronkhorstspruit Dam, Pienaarsrivier Dam, Roodeplaat Dam, Hartebeespoort Dam, Vaal Dam, Vaal River and on the upper Kowie River.

Johan and his brother, André, currently own an eight and a half meter Butt Cat. The boat launches through the Kowie River mouth twice or more times a week weather permitting.

Johan Botha has a valid certificate of competency adhering to current South African regulations giving him access to sport and recreational angling and chartering services on the open seas and inland waters. These certificates and all permits are controlled by the authorities and are renewed on an annual basis. In addition Johan has a very good safety conscious reputation and always ensures that he and his crew and all guests on board are following the safety regulations as issued by the authorities. This fact is complimented by the strict safety checks that the boat is put through on an annual basis. A certificate of compliance / sea worthiness is then issued before the boat is allowed on the open seas.