‘Northern Addicts’ represents Western Australia in the BCF Topwater film invitational competition

WA will have a competitor in the BCF Topwater film invitational for the first time, under Geraldton local ‘Northern Addicts’. Ben Svenson or known online as Northern Addicts, has amassed a following of more than 53,000 people across his Instagram, Youtube and TikTok, posting fishing content based around the Mid West and North of WA waters. The Geraldton local said the page was originally just him fishing, but years of getting film from trips with others inspired him to branch out the brand. “Originally it was just me on a solo fishing page, then my ex-partner Evie (Black). . . who was very supportive, her and I went up and down the coast for about three years,” Svenson said. “Constantly filming and slowing putting bits and pieces together, through that came a lot of opportunities to showcase WA. . . it all came through just a passion and a hobby that has become something a little more.” Part of his passion is showing how easy and accessible the that his lifestyle can be, with Svenson saying that he works a full time job just like anyone else. “One of the most frustrating things for me is when someone says they wish they could do what I do. . . I work a normal job like everyone else, on a Friday night, I’ll drive 400km to fish and film for the weekend,” he said. “That’s what I want to do, I want to create an environment where people were more inspired to get out and enjoy the waterways. . . WA has so much to offer.” The name Northern Addicts came from Svenson and his friends constantly taking adventures North of Geraldton, saying he still hasn’t gone south for a fishing trip, but plans to next year. Years of slowly growing his brand and having videos pick up thousands of views have opened opportunities for the Geraldton local, with the latest being the BCF Topwater film invitational. The competition brings 10 teams of fishing creators across Australia, battling it out to showcase a 20-minute cinematic film, with an emphasis on cultural awareness and marine environment. “I’m the first WA team, I’m really excited because going back to the whole Northern Addicts thing, the two guys from WA that are part of my team, Lachie (Ternent) and Jarvis (Banfeild). . . they’re both wonderful blokes that I have met while travelling up and down the coast” Svenson said. Svenson has had the opportunity to meet multiple people through his brand, but one of the more surprising was meeting multiple stars of the Sydney Swans. One of the biggest being Isaac Heeney, a fishing fanatic, who has exchanged messages with Svenson over the years. “On top of that, I’ve managed to secure Isaac Heeney into my team, so he’ll actually be flying over for the comp, which I’m extremely excited about,” Svenson said. “He’s an avid fisherman, loves fishing, when this comp came up I had an extra spot and thought it’s worth a shot.” Getting the team together has been a rush, as many of the competitors have been given at least six months to prepare, while the WA team got the call-up about one month ago. “A month ago I got a call up and they had someone pull out. The other teams have had about six months to get ready. . . so it’s been a massive scramble,” Svenson said. While his content shows off a lot of what Geraldton has to offer, Svenson said that the film would be more based up north because of the requirements and is disappointed he won’t be able to showcase more of the Mid West city. “It’s aimed at catching a species of fish called the giant trevally, so to get them you have to be pretty much north of Coral Bay,” he said. “Predominantly all the fishing and filming will be done in the State’s North West, which is a little disappointing, because I would love to do that out of Geraldton.” Teams will have two weeks to film and edit their footage, after which they will travel over East for a screening of each film and the winners will be voted from there.