Hooked on learning: How 2 Bent Rods is reeling in Queensland kids

The story of Australia’s Favourite Family Business 2024 finalist, 2 Bent Rods, began with a simple family outing.

Back in 2004, Sam and Jeremy Beckman took their young children out for a day of fishing and yabby gathering at Wellington Point. Before they knew it, they had an eager entourage of local kids, curious and wide-eyed. “They had never seen a yabby or a fish, yet they lived near the beach,” Sam recalls.

This aha moment triggered an idea that would soon turn into a family business. “Jeremy and I decided to do something about it,” explains Sam. “So, in December 2004, we started offering basic fishing lessons.”

Today, 2 Bent Rods has grown into a unique fishing education business, reaching children and families across Queensland with hands-on lessons that go beyond the basics. And it’s not just about casting lines – Sam and her team teach everything from bait-catching with yabby pumps to cooking the fish you catch, with a focus on safety and sustainable practices.

2 Bent Rods: A hands-on experience for all ages

2 Bent Rods isn’t your typical fishing business. Instead, it’s a full-on experience that covers the essentials of how to fish and more, especially for the 5-12 age group. “It’s not just fishing,” Sam explains. “You’ll learn to tie a fishing knot, catch your bait, and find out about the different baits you can use and where you can fish legally.” With lessons covering how to clean and cook fish, Sam says they offer a full-circle experience for the kids, who often take pride in every step of the process.

They also work with schools and vacation care centres to host fishing events, bringing groups of up to 120 kids together for an unforgettable learning experience. The education doesn’t stop there; 2 Bent Rods even runs fishing competitions across Queensland, including the Qld Kids Fishing Classic, a kids-only event run through an app Sam and Jeremy co-developed with the Queensland University of Technology.

Family roots and creative teamwork

As the only business of its kind in Queensland, 2 Bent Rods has become a true family venture. Sam and Jeremy’s kids grew up by their side, learning everything from safety briefings to leading fishing demonstrations. Now adults, they still pop back to help out occasionally. “The kids have learned patience with themselves and others,” Sam shares. “They bring new ideas without fear – one of our most popular activities was the brainchild of our daughter when she was just eight. That was 14 years ago, and it’s still going strong.”

While working with family has its challenges, the Beckmans say they’ve built a strong sense of camaraderie.

“Having a home office means you can’t always escape from work,” Sam says with a laugh. “But we’ve got our hand signals and code for when we need to communicate around kids. It can get a bit much at times, but it’s nice to have someone who truly understands if you’re having a bad day.”

Finalists in Australia’s Favourite Family Business

As a finalist in Australia’s Favourite Family Business competition, 2 Bent Rods is excited to get media coverage that could help them connect with even more families across the state. Sam says winning the competition would take that exposure to the next level

“The exposure would be phenomenal,” says Sam. “We could show more kids that fishing is a sustainable, family-friendly activity – it’s so much more than just standing on a beach and catching fish. This could be a game-changer for us.”

With a passion for connecting kids to nature and teaching them to respect the environment, Sam is thrilled about the opportunities this recognition might bring. “We’ve been at it for nearly 20 years, and maybe this could make us an ‘overnight success’!” she jokes.

Find out more about 2 Bent Rods

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